Author: Katrina Leppanen

Categories
Urgent Care

Life-saving care for Bubba

Can you donate to save Bubba?

Bubba needs urgent veterinary care!

A defeated meow had brought Cassie rushing around the corner to find her beloved cat, Bubba, straining and failing to use the washroom.

Bubba sat in his litter box, looking up at Cassie, eyes wide with confusion and fear. Quickly recognizing her friend needed help, Cassie scooped Bubba up in his favourite blanket and hurried him to the vet.

There, x-rays of Bubba showed he is suffering from a life-threatening urinary blockage and in need of immediate care and hospitalization. 

Challenging circumstances mean 18-year-old Cassie is emancipated and has already been living on her own for a few years. Bubba and Cassie have taken care of each other through it all, giving each other love and confidence.

Cassie has too quickly had to figure out how to get by with little outside support, and has no additional emergency funds available. It breaks Cassie’s heart to see Bubba looking to her for help she can’t provide on her own.

I’m asking if you could please consider donating towards Bubba’s life-saving care today. Your help can bring Bubba safely back home to Cassie’s warmth and love.

Can you give a gift to help Bubba today?

Categories
Urgent Care

Gift a brighter future for animals

Can you grant a wish for animals before the end of the year?

Learn how your gift makes a difference for animals

This year, allies like you called for compassionate changes for farmed animals, animals used in entertainment, animals in captivity, and wild animals.

As 2023 wraps up, your gift to animals suffering today will create a more peaceful tomorrow. 

You can help achieve our ultimate holiday wish: a kinder future for all animals!

All donations made before the end of the year will be eligible for a tax receipt for 2023.

Your gift of $45 = 100 copies of PlantUniversity brochures

Brochures like the “Beginner’s Guide to Plant-Based Eating” are distributed to libraries, immigration centres, community and culture centres and more. Your gift allows the VHS to create helpful content on shifting towards a plant-based diet in multiple languages.

Your gift of $103 = 7,000 animal allies reached

Online advertisements allow the VHS to connect people with calls for meaningful actions to protect animals.

Your gift of $240 = life-saving veterinary test for one pet in need

The VHS’s McVitie program helps fund life-saving veterinary care for pets of low-income families. Essential testing, like doing blood work, will help veterinary staff determine how to help an animal return home to their loving guardian.

Your gift of $741 = bus ad for one month

Bus ads in the Metro Vancouver area can be viewed upwards of a million times! Thought-provoking messages direct viewers to learn more about the many benefits of shifting towards a plant-based diet over at PlantUniversity.ca.

Your gift of $1,600 = rodeo billboard for 12 weeks

Billboards have a huge impact on showcasing messages to many different people. A billboard calling for an end to rodeo cruelty builds on the momentum of the public’s increasing recognition of traditional rodeo events as inhumane.

Thank you so much for your generosity this season!

Categories
Urgent Care

This year your gift brings pets safely home to their people

Gift pets their ‘home for the holidays’!

Can you make a gift for animals in need of life-saving care?

Because of supporters like you, hundreds of animals are spending the holidays healthy and at home with the people who love them most of all.

But the McVite Fund is stretched to the limit as every day, devoted pet guardians call and send in applications for funding for the pets they can’t imagine life without.

When loved and wanted animals receive life-saving veterinary care, they’re able to find relief from suffering without being surrendered to the already-overburdened shelter and rescue system.

Thank you so much for considering supporting pets and their people with a gift this year. It truly means the world to the families who are able to stay together with your help.

Categories
Urgent Care

Life-saving care for Nugget

Nugget needs your help!

Nugget needs emergency surgery after being hit by a car!


Nugget and his guardian Genelle share an unbreakable bond—they’ve been inseparable since the day they met at a rescue shelter. Nugget, the sweetest, most loving, and vocal cat is currently in need of urgent support.  

While Genelle was at work, Nugget managed to get out of the house and was found severely injured close to his home. Genelle left work and rushed to Nugget’s side. He was found in immense pain, with a severely injured eye.  

The vet determined that Nugget needed to be hospitalized immediately, and that he will also need emergency eye enucleation surgery and jaw repair. Genelle, working full-time trying to save for her education, has poured all her savings into Nugget’s initial care, including diagnostic testing and round-the-clock hospital care. She is now out of funds reached out to the Vancouver Humane Society for help affording the life-saving surgery Nugget still needs.  

I’m asking if you could please consider donating towards Nugget’s life-saving surgery. With your help, Nugget can return home to a pain-free and happy life with the care and love of Genelle.

Can you donate today to help Nugget?

Categories
News/Blog

Give a gift for animals this Giving Tuesday

Your gift helps animals!

Donate now

Vancouver Humane Society is partnering with The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary this Giving Tuesday to make life better for animals!

Between now and November 28, you can donate directly to our joint campaign. We are also looking for businesses and individuals to support this campaign through matched giving donations. Check out our sponsorship package for more details.

be a giving tuesday sponsor

Every supporter that donates towards the Giving Tuesday campaign will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win one of four prizes: a $25 gift card to The Burrow, a $50 gift card to Vegan Supply, a $100 gift card to Wild Jasmine Apothecary, or a prize package of five classes at both Lagree West and RIDE Cycle Club.

How your donation helps

The Happy Herd provides a loving home to over 65 animals rescued from the farming industry. 

In 2023, the welcomed Noodles, a 2-week-old goat who suffers from a neurological disorder, a goat named Percy, and three chicks. Inflation has had a huge effect on Happy Herd’s costs this year. Hay has doubled in price, and previously donated produce is now being charged for. Rising costs of gas have pushed hoof trimming and shearing services up by 25% since last year. Happy Herd has even lost access to straw that had typically been donated from movie sets due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes, creating an unexpected additional expense for the sanctuary. 

Your generous support of this campaign will have a lasting impact on the lives of the animals who call The Happy Herd home.

Since 1984, the Vancouver Humane Society has been supporting individuals, organizations, and governments to take action for the welfare and rights of animals influenced by human activities. Whether advocating against rodeo cruelty, providing emergency vet funds for companion animals in low income homes, offering resources to help people and businesses choose plant-based options, or lobbying for policies that minimize harm to animals, VHS is dedicated to ending animal suffering in all forms. All donations to VHS will go directly toward vital programs and advocacy work in order to create a kinder world for all animals.

Thank you so much for your support of both of our organizations!

  • Panago – On Tuesday, November 28th, Panago locations across BC will offer $15 large plant-based pizzas when you use the coupon code PLANT15. $1 from every plant-based pizza sold will be donated to the VHS and Happy Herd Giving Tuesday Campaign. Panago has also committed to match donations made to the Giving Tuesday Campaign up to $2000!
  • Sprouted Oven – will be donating 3% of their sales on Giving Tuesday.
  • The Burrow – will be donating a gift card for a Giving Tuesday prize draw.
  • Vegan Supply – will give customers the option to add a donation to the VHS and Happy Herd on November 28th. All customers that donate $5 or more at Vegan Supply will be entered into a prize draw to win a $50 Vegan Supply gift card. Vegan Supply is also donating a gift card for a Giving Tuesday prize draw for all those that donate via the VHS.
  • Vegan Yarn – will be donating 25% of their sales on Giving Tuesday.
  • Wild Jasmine Apothecary – will be donating a gift card for a Giving Tuesday prize draw.
  • RIDE Cycle Club – will be donating a 5 class pack for a Giving Tuesday prize draw.
  • Lagree West – will be donating a 5 class pack for a Giving Tuesday prize draw.
Categories
Urgent Care

Life-saving care for Kitty

Thanks to the overwhelming support from our community of kind-hearted donors, Kitty was able to receive the critical veterinary care he needed. Kitty is now back home with his devoted guardian, Eric. The McVitie Fund is increasingly busy, providing funding for an average of 16 pets per week since the beginning of November 2023. Please consider giving a gift to help animals and guardians who are in need right now, so they too can have their happy ending.

Kitty is back home thanks to an outpouring of support! Can you donate to save more animals like him?

Kitty needs urgent veterinary care!

Without hesitation, Eric took in his mother’s cat, Kitty, after she passed away.

Still reeling from this recent loss, Kitty and Eric were quick to bond and have been a great source of comfort and companionship to each other through this tragedy.

Sadly, it wasn’t long before crisis struck again. Eric noticed that Kitty could no longer urinate. 

Unable to afford a taxi or bus fare, Eric carried lethargic Kitty across town in his arms, arriving at the vet in tears and asking for help.

Veterinary staff acted quickly and discovered Kitty is suffering from a severe urinary blockage. If left untreated, blockages of this nature are fatal. Immediate veterinary attention is vital to save Kitty’s life.

Eric’s emergency funds have been depleted in the aftermath of the loss of his mother and in getting together everything needed to give Kitty a home.

Imagining the loss of beloved Kitty so shortly after his mother’s passing is unbearable for Eric. 

I’m asking if you could please consider donating towards Kitty’s life-saving care today. With your help, Kitty can return home to spend many more good years of companionship and healing with Eric.

Can you donate today to help Kitty?

Categories
Urgent Care

Urgent veterinary care for Ghost

DOUBLE your donation toward Ghost’s care

Your donation to help Ghost will be DOUBLED
Once lively Ghost is declining and needs your help!

Sweet Ghost normally has a vibrant and energetic personality, but he has recently become lethargic and withdrawn, not even showing desire in eating his food and treats. His loving guardian, Robert, has tried everything to help Ghost but seeing the behaviour persist caused Robert to worry severely.

After an initial examination, it was determined that Ghost would require further testing to determine the cause of his decline. Unfortunately, the cost of the hospitalization and specialized testing is beyond Robert’s financial means.

Determined to give Ghost the best chance at a healthy and happy life, Robert has reached out to the Vancouver Humane Society for support.

An anonymous donor is currently generously matching all donations toward the VHS’s McVitie Fund, up to $25,000! This means your donation will have double the impact. Can you donate today to help Ghost?

Categories
News/Blog

Find unique gifts & help animals at VHS’s online auction

Join the VHS for an exciting online auction this fall!

There are more than 100 items available to bid on in the online auction, all generously donated by local businesses.

Some of the incredible gifts donated by local businesses

The auction will run from October 16-23.

There’s something for everyone in the auction, including: treats for your furry companion, vegan beauty and skincare products, and delicious plant-based restaurant gift cards! The silent auction is the perfect place to purchase unique holiday gifts for loved ones or to treat yourself to something special, and all for a good cause.

Browse available items

Here’s how to register to start bidding!

1. Head to the VHS BiddingOwl auction site.

2. Select ‘Register’ in the top right of the page:

3. Enter your information and select ‘Sign up’

Get started

This year’s auction aims to raise $11,000 and we can’t do it without you! All proceeds from the auction will go towards the VHS’ work to advocate for animals.

Learn more about the VHS’s programs and advocacy work to see how your purchase at the auction helps animals.

The VHS is so grateful to the following businesses that are supporting the online auction:

  • annie ross
  • Arts Club Theatre Company
  • Ashley O’Mara Art
  • AspenClean
  • Barrington Brolly
  • Blue Jellyfish SUP
  • Blume
  • Bonus Bakery
  • brEAThe Kitchen
  • CARE Network
  • CHOMP Vegan Eatery
  • Cindy Whitehead
  • Clarity Apothecary
  • Coco Cake Land
  • Core Community
  • Cozy Kitty Crafts
  • Designs for You Baskets
  • Drby Pet Co.
  • Eleanor Boyle
  • Elena Markelova
  • Eva Taylor Art
  • Gabrielle Haynes Art
  • Give Your Dog A Bone
  • Goh Ballet
  • Grounded People
  • Homecoming Candles
  • Huha
  • Hustle
  • Infofit
  • Authors Janie Chang and Kate Quinn
  • Jaybird
  • Jet Pet Resort
  • Jokes Please!
  • Karin Taylor
  • Karyn Hatt
  • Kate Metten Ceramics
  • Kevin Donahue Art
  • Kits Beach Beer
  • Kokomo
  • Level V
  • Line Spa
  • Little Vegan Treats
  • Londre
  • Meet
  • Meowbox
  • Mild Tofu Ceramics
  • Nam Vegan Express
  • Naturally Urban
  • Off The Record Counseling
  • Pacific Arts Market
  • Paliotti’s Westside
  • Panela Lemon
  • Plant Based Treaty
  • Plant Curious
  • Planted Meals
  • PNE Winter Fair
  • Poplin & Co
  • Poshy Paw
  • Pumpkins After Dark
  • Pure Barre
  • RVN Wellness
  • Sarah Hammond Studio
  • Seliya Arts and Crafts
  • Shelley Tetz
  • Silly of the Valley
  • Simply Natural
  • Siracha Revolver
  • Spin Society Mount Pleasant
  • Spreadem Kitchen
  • Sprouted Oven
  • Strange Fellows Brewing
  • Sweet Leilani
  • Ten + Eight Creations
  • Teresa Knight
  • Terraluv & Nice Shoes
  • The Burrow
  • The Hive
  • The Improv Centre
  • The Pie Hole
  • To Live For
  • UBC Opera
  • Vancouver Canucks Alumni Association
  • Vancouver Water Adventures
  • Veg Out
  • Vegan Family Kitchen
  • Vegan Supply
  • Velveteen Vintage
  • Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
  • Virchew
  • Zimt
Categories
Urgent Care

Companion animals in need are counting on your generosity

DOUBLE your donation toward pets in need

Now more than ever before, pets like Pishi need your help.

The McVitie Fund is providing an average of nine pets in critical condition with funding for the life-saving veterinary care they need every single week at the VHS.

But the impacts of rising costs are becoming more and more apparent. The VHS has seen an increase in demand from distressed low-income animal guardians looking for help and a drop in funds to support this vital work.

Pishi’s Story

Once a playful and outgoing pup, Pishi had become lethargic, lost interest in food, then to her guardian Maya’s horror, stopped eating completely.  

At the clinic, vets found Pishi had dangerously low kidney function and x-rays showed a potential blockage in her digestive system. Further testing and possible surgery were needed to keep Pishi alive.

Before Pishi’s devastating condition, Maya suffered a serious workplace injury that left her unable to work, depleted her savings, and ultimately led to her becoming unhoused.

Maya visited Pishi twice each day at the vet clinic because she couldn’t bear the idea of Pishi hooked up to strange and scary machines, confused by her new surroundings and thinking Maya had left her on her own.

With Maya’s love and the help of kind McVitie fund donors, Pishi was able to receive the testing and care she needed to leave the vet with her best friend, Maya. 

Your gift today will DOUBLE in impact

The McVitie Fund is only made possible through the generosity of supporters like you in the community, and right now, program expenses are far exceeding the gifts that make life-saving care like Pishi’s possible. For loving animal guardians like Maya, the McVitie Fund offers a lifeline of vital support when their companion animals become sick or injured. 

Right now, an anonymous donor is generously matching all donations made toward the VHS’s McVitie Fund, up to $25,000!

This means your donation of any amount will go twice as far in helping pets in need like Pishi.

Categories
News/Blog

Making a kinder world: Because They Matter

Nash's guardian told VHS staff about the strong bond between them. It definitely shows!

Several hundred residents of the Downtown Eastside community visited the Because They Matter table in Pigeon Park on Sunday, July 23, all eager to pick up high-quality supplies for their beloved pets. Event participants also spoke with many pet guardians about accessing the VHS’s free veterinary care assistance programs.  

Each person who connected with the team had a unique journey, and all had incredible bonds with their pets.

Here are some of the amazing people and pets who visited the Vancouver Humane Society’s table in Pigeon Park and shared their shared their stories of resilience and unconditional love.

In all, the VHS team and event participants handed out thousands of pet supplies and around 400 pamphlets about the Vancouver Humane Society’s veterinary assistance programs.

The VHS’s veterinary support programs help animals get the care they need while staying with their loving families. The need for these programs is growing every year, and it is essential that this need is met to make sure loved animals get the care they require without having to be surrendered to the already overflowing shelter and rescue system. The VHS’s veterinary support programs are only possible through the help of donations from animal lovers like you. 

Can you make a donation toward VHS’s $15,000 Because They Matter fundraising goal to help animals and the people who love them?

Yes, I can make a gift to help animals