The B.C. SPCA's most heartwarming rescues of 2024

Meet a courageous mare and her foal, a pit bull mix and her puppies, kittens that barely survived a fire and a dog that ran loose in a park for weeks before rescue.

Published Dec 29, 2024  •  Last updated 0 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

Spirit, a pregnant mare found in the Fort St. John area, and her foal Journey. Photo by B.C. SPCA

The B.C. SPCA takes into care thousands of animals in need every year, but some stories stand out. With 2024 coming to a close, the people who operate animal centres across the province have shared their most memorable moments.

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Northern B.C.

Spirit was a pregnant mare found in poor condition about 10 kilometres down a logging road this summer in the Fort St. John area.

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“She had lesions all over her skin, raw in some places, especially on her chest, and she was also covered in hives and welts,” said Jamey Blair, senior manager of the SPCA in northern B.C. and the Kootenays.

After being rescued, Spirit was treated by a veterinarian and delivered a healthy foal that was named Journey. Both were cared for at an “idyllic” property owned by an SPCA foster family.

Spirit, a mare found in the Fort St. John area, and her foal Journey. Photo by B.C. SPCA

“This was such a lovely, good news story,” said Blair. “It was an incredibly collaborative effort, from the conservation officer who contacted us about Spirit to the volunteer foster who drove her truck and trailer up a logging road to pick her up and bring her to her farm.”

Blair said it was good to be able to showcase the work they do with horses.

“The B.C. SPCA is so well-known for our efforts when it comes to companion animals, but we also do a lot of work with farmed animals and horses, including finding them forever homes.”

And that’s what happened for the foal.

“Journey is living her best life on a farm on Vancouver Island,” said Christy King, the SPCA’s program manager for farm animals and equines.

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“Watching and waiting for Journey to be born, and now seeing her find her forever home, has been so rewarding,” said King, who thanked the foster for not only taking in Journey, but agreeing to continue to foster Spirit until someone can give her a forever home, too.

Ellie the pit bull mix enjoying her new home. Photo by B.C. SPCA

Thompson-Okanagan

In September, Ellie was one of three pit bull mixes rescued from a home in Kelowna where they had been living in “deplorable conditions.”

Ellie gave birth to 10 puppies, nine of which survived.

“The two other dogs were adopted almost immediately after coming into the B.C. SPCA’s care, and all of Ellie’s puppies were also adopted into loving homes,” said SPCA spokeswoman Debra Walley.

Ellie had to wait a bit longer, but found her forever family a month later.

Chippie, one of four kittens rescued from a fire in Port Alberni. Photo by B.C. SPCA

Vancouver Island

“They won the hearts of everyone who read their story,” said Walley.

In June, a fire hit the Rogers Creek gully not far from the Alberni-Clayoquot animal centre in Port Alberni. As firefighters did sweeps of the area they found five kittens with varying degrees of burns and brought them to the B.C. SPCA.

One kitten didn’t survive, but the rest were treated and thrived in foster care. When they had fully recovered, all four were adopted. Some wound up living with veterinary hospital staff “who had worked so hard to help them heal.”

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Mittens, one of four kittens rescued from a fire in Port Alberni. Photo by B.C. SPCA

Lower Mainland

“Heidi was one of two terrified dogs running loose for weeks in Richmond’s Garden Centre Park this past summer,” said Walley.

Staff at the Richmond animal centre had no idea if the dogs were abandoned or had escaped.

The dogs “burrowed a hole in the ground, where they slept at night, but would be on the run again during daylight. Nobody could get near them for weeks as they would run off as soon as they were approached.”

Animal centre staff worked alongside the City of Richmond and the community to bring them into care at the B.C. SPCA animal centre.

Heidi was finally caught, but unfortunately the other dog left the park and hasn’t been spotted since.

Walley said the SPCA is “thrilled to report Heidi has found her forever home.”

The B.C. SPCA operates 41 locations providing vital care to animals across the province, and relies on donors to help fund their work. Anyone who can contribute is asked to visit spca.bc.ca.

Red Alert, one of four kittens rescued from a fire in Port Alberni. Photo by B.C. SPCA

Ichiban, one of four kittens rescued from a fire in Port Alberni, enjoying her cosy new surroundings. Photo by B.C. SPCA

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