BC SPCA celebrates more than 52,000 volunteer hours

The BC SPCA is celebrating a heart-warming accomplishment this week.

April 19th to 25th is National Volunteer Week, and the BC SPCA is recognizing the impact of its volunteers.

Over 1,000 animal lovers in the Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast region contributed more than 52,000 volunteer hours in 2025, a milestone that the society is celebrating.

Every week, animal lovers throughout the region volunteer hundreds of hours at various BC SPCA centres in their communities. They show up for a purr, a wagging tail or a frightened bird that just needs a kind voice.

Whether they are reading poems or stories to animals in the Sunshine Coast or finding new ways to enrich the lives of the animals at the BC SPCA Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre near Metchosin, volunteers are creative in finding ways to connect with animals and people in their communities.

At the BC SPCA Comox centre, Gale reads to birds and rabbits, who find comfort in her kind voice.

“I find it rewarding, especially when shy cats and rabbits open up and come closer after I read to them” said Gale.

“The staff are very kind too, I’m amazed at the lengths they go to helping an animal.”

In Victoria, the cat volunteer team led by volunteer Darleen helped more than 250 cats find their forever homes last year. On this team, every hour of the incredible 335 hours Sue donated last year made a difference.

In another area at the BC SPCA Victoria centre, Rebecca commutes 45 minutes each way twice a week to socialize dogs, support the Pet Food Bank and the Vets for Pets programs, where every month, underserved clients can access free pet food and free vet services.

Adopters also acknowledge Rebecca’s efforts to socialize dogs as a major factor in their success stories.

“Everyone is grateful, but the staff especially thank us for every task we take off their hands” said Rebecca.

The BC SPCA does not receive government funding for any of the services provided to BC’s most vulnerable animals and communities.

Its work is possible because of volunteers like Gale, Darleen, Rebecca and thousands of others that choose to show up for the kitten that needs a snuggle and the dog that needs a walking buddy.

The BC SPCA is, at its heart, a volunteer story, and the BC SPCA’s volunteers on Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast are writing that story every single day.

If you would like to be one of these ever-so-important volunteers at the BC SPCA, head to their website here to see how you can help.