The sites on this page include shelters and rescue groups that may admit and/or adopt out animals.
Contact these groups directly if you are looking for a pet or visit Petfinder.com or Adoptapet.com
Visit our ‘Find a New Pet’ page for tips on how to choose a pet that will fit in with your lifestyle.
Petfinder and Adopt a Pet show most of the adoptable animals looking for new homes and also provide a lot of information and resources on pet issues.
All Animals
Capital Regional District (CRD) Animal Care & Control
Home for Hooves
Providing a forever home for rescued and abandoned farm animals
Located in Duncan, BC
Victoria Pet Adoption Society
Rehabilitates homeless animals and places them into great homes.
Victoria Adoptables
Operates a website/rescue portal that provides access to local animal rescues to showcase their adoptable animals.
Zita’s ARC (Animal Rescue Center)
A privately funded, owned and operated animal shelter located on central Vancouver Island, B.C.
Flying Fur Animal Rescue & Refuge
Giving small animals and exotics a second chance. Located in Parksville, BC
Hornby Animal Rights Team (HART)
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to animal advocacy and education.
CARE Network (Coastal Animal Rescue & Education)
We provide animal emergency response services, temporary foster care, transportation, spay/neuter and other immediate care for animals – domestic and wild – along the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Broken Promises Rescue
A volunteer-run, non-profit animal rescue organization in Victoria, B.C. We focus on trying to improve the lives of unwanted, neglected, and orphaned animals on Vancouver Island
The Farm Rescue
A not for profit all species animal rescue located in Victoria
Dog Rescue Groups
Breed-
Ziggy’s Rescue & Fostering Network
Located in the Port Alberni area, Vancouver Islande are now located in the Port Alberni area on Vancouver Island, BC.
North Amity Dog Rescue Society
Foster based rescue in Lake Cowichan but we have foster homes all across the Island.
Dog Bless Rescue Partners
Based in Victoria, BC
Island Pacific Dog Rescue
Located in Qualicum Beach, BC
Mike & Grants Senior Dog Rescue
Rosier Days Dog Rescue
Based in Victoria, BC
Mexican Pups of Vancouver Island
An open group for those who have rescued, adopted, transported in just been involved in the lives of dogs who have moved from Mexico to Vancouver Island.
Cat Rescue Groups
Dee’s Orphan Kitten Fund
Victoria, BC
Helping Homeless Cats
Greater Victoria area.
CatNap Society
Nanaimo and central Vancouver Island
CatSpan Ferals
Nanoose Bay, (Parksville), B.C.
Nanoose Bay Catspan Society
Nanoose Bay, (Parksville), B.C.
Gold River Cat Society
Gold River, B.C.
Special Needs Cats on Vancouver Island
Victoria Pet Food Bank & Feral Cat Rehabilitation Society
Horse Rescue Groups
Hearts n Hooves Horse Rescue
A horse rescue farm in Nanaimo BC that’s all about restoring neglected horses and ponies to physical and emotional health!
Horse Protection Society of BC
Mission: To promote and support the total well being of horses. The Society actively searches for good homes for horses that have been abused or mistreated, and sometimes sponsor a difficult case as well. While not strictly a “horse rescue”, we often find ourselves unable to turn a horse in need away.
Small Animals
Flying Fur Animal Rescue and Refuge
Giving small animals and exotics a second chance. Located in Parksville, BC
Amy’s Bunny Barn
A home and foster-based bunny rescue located on Vancouver Island. We take in owner surrenders, transfers from other rescue organizations, and local animal control facilities
We also provide home boarding and grooming services. Located in Sooke, BC.
Vancouver Island Ferret Education & Rescue Team (The Society of V.I. FERT)
Providing ferrets with safe and loving care through education and by taking in ferrets in need.
Small Animal Rescue
Our primary focus is to rescue and rehome any small animal in need. Neglected, injured and abandoned animals are our primary focus. Located in Burnaby, B.C.
Pigs
Hearts on Noses, a Mini-
Located in Mission, BC, Hearts on Noses (HONs) was established in 1999 as a sanctuary for potbellied pigs. “Mini Pigs” were a popular pet in the 1980s, and continue to be bred and sold as companion animals today.
Birds
BC Exotic Bird Society
Our objectives are to take in birds in need of new placements for whatever reason; to find them a caring home by process of application. Located in Langley B.C.
Feathers in BC
Feathers are a unique group of bird lovers that foster the belief that just like people, birds have rights too. Through proper understanding and respect, these life long pets can add tremendously to our life and the lives of our children as well.
Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary
Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary is a volunteer-run, non-profit society whose purpose is to provide rescue and protection for parrots. Through our adoption program, we strive to place parrots in new loving homes. We provide education and support to parrot guardians and the general public.
Reptiles
North Island Reptile Rescue Society
Located in Comox, BC
The following sites list many of the Shelters and Rescue Groups
British Columbia Rescue Organizations & Shelters –
Paws for Hope –
to individuals and groups to enhance companion animal welfare in B.C.