Recovery Tails Society
Temporary care for pets. Support for their people.
Free, temporary foster care for your pet while you access treatment, hospital care, or more stable housing, with the goal of bringing you back together.
We prioritize people living in the City of Victoria, including people who are unhoused. We also review requests from other Vancouver Island communities, where wait times may be longer.
Pet care when you need support
Care for your pet. Space to get the support you need.
If you need time away for care or are moving into housing that cannot accommodate your pet, we work with you and any support worker involved to explore a temporary arrangement. Care is free for placements ranging from one to six months, depending on the program and foster availability.
Temporary foster placements
Support for both owners and foster volunteers
Coordinated intake and referral process
Reunification planning
How it works
Step 1
Tell us what you need
Complete our community pet care referral form yourself or with help from an outreach worker, hospital social worker, or another support person.
Open referral formStep 2
Review and planning
We review your documents, discuss your pet’s health and behaviour, and consider available foster homes. Submitting a form does not confirm a placement.
Step 3
Placement and care
If a suitable placement is available, we confirm the arrangement in writing and coordinate care and a safe return home.
who we support
We prioritize people living in the City of Victoria, including people who are unhoused. Requests from other Vancouver Island communities are also reviewed, with longer wait times.
People entering treatment or recovery programs
Individuals being hospitalized
People experiencing housing transitions
Community organizations supporting clients
Offer a temporary home. Help keep a family connected.
Fostering gives a pet a place to stay while their person gets support. Tell us about your household, schedule, and the animals you feel comfortable caring for.
RTS can provide food and supplies and arrange approved grooming when needed. Paying for these yourself is optional. Veterinary expenses must be discussed and approved separately.
Why Recovery Tails exists
Help keep a family connected.
Pets can be a source of comfort, routine, and connection during difficult times. Finding care for them should not be what prevents someone from accessing help. RTS began in response to that gap. With volunteer foster homes and community support, we help people care for their pets through a temporary separation and work toward reunification.
News & updates
Stories from our community.
Recovery Tails Society partners with the City of Victoria and BC Housing
A combined $90,000 investment supports temporary pet care for people in Victoria accessing treatment, hospitalization, recovery supports, and more stable housing.
Recovery Tails Society featured by CHEK News
CHEK News shared why temporary pet care matters for people entering treatment.
Recovery Tails Society featured by CTV News
CTV News highlighted the launch of RTS and its free, temporary pet-care model.
Help make temporary care possible
Donations help provide food, supplies, and resources for foster homes, alongside the coordination involved in arranging temporary care. Community contributions help sustain this work alongside public funding.
DonateWe cannot issue charitable tax receipts at this time. RTS is a nonprofit organization working toward charitable status.
Our story
Recovery Tails Society was founded by people working directly in mental health, recovery, and community support.
Priya brings experience in mental health and addictions care, working closely with people navigating complex systems and life transitions. She is passionate about creating community-based support that keeps people and their pets connected.
Next steps
What brings you here today?
