Some people face barriers to accessing health care and housing, including the challenge of finding temporary, safe pet care. Without support, individuals may delay or avoid treatment, hospitalization or accessing shelter because they have no safe place for their animal to go.
The City of Victoria is partnering with the Recovery Tails Society and BC Housing to provide the Victoria Pet Care Access Support program. Starting this fall, the program will provide voluntary, short-term foster pet care for individuals accessing detox, stabilization or recovery supports, or spaces in shelter programs, transition housing or independent housing.
“For many people, pets are family, and the fear of being separated from them can be a real barrier to accessing care, treatment or housing,” said Mayor Marianne Alto. “Through the Victoria Pet Care Access Support program, we’re helping remove that barrier by ensuring pets have safe, temporary care while their owners take important steps toward stability, recovery and wellbeing.”
The City of Victoria is investing $60,000 of Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan implementation funding, with BC Housing providing $30,000, for a total of $90,000 to deliver the 18-month program. The investment helps expand the Recovery Tails Society’s free pet care for those seeking mental health, addiction treatment, hospitalization and housing solutions.
Established in 2025, Recovery Tails works with individuals and referral partners, matching pets with foster homes and coordinating care and reunification.
“We work collaboratively with pet owners, foster caregivers, service providers, hospitals, treatment programs, housing providers, and other community partners to coordinate placements and reunification,” said Priya Sharma, Executive Director and co-founder of Recovery Tails. “Having a pet does not need to stand between someone getting access to care and support for long-term success.”
Temporary fostering periods are between one and six months, and pets may include dogs, cats and other small pets, depending on the foster homes available. This is a client-driven, voluntary program and referrals can be made by outreach agencies, service providers or individuals.
To learn more about the program and becoming a temporary pet foster home, visit recoverytails.ca.
Media Contact:
Colleen Mycroft
Manager of Intergovernmental and Media Relations