In a city that prides itself on being progressive and compassionate, the Vancouver Animal Shelter (VAS) has found itself at the centre of a growing controversy—not because of how it treats the animals in its care, but because of how little the public knows they exist.
“It just makes sense to share the dogs regularly and widely on a dedicated social media page and get them adopted,” says Erin Ireland, a well-known vegan influencer, animal rights advocate and owner of Vancouver’s To Live For Bakery. “When I first started volunteering at VAS, my goal wasn’t just to walk dogs. I wanted to capture their personalities, tell their stories and help them find homes through social media. But I was given many restrictions that made it really hard.”
VAS, located in East Vancouver, is where stray dogs—and sometimes pets, including smaller animals like guinea pigs, rabbits and rats, of owners who find themselves unable to care for them—end up. Yet despite a caring team of staff and volunteers, animals have been known to languish in the shelter for months, sometimes over a year, without much visibility to potential adopters. Unlike nearly every other municipal shelter in Metro Vancouver, VAS does not have its own social media accounts. The reason? The City of Vancouver’s centralized social media policy.
“When I tell people I volunteer at the Vancouver Animal Shelter, most assume I mean the SPCA,” says Rhianydd Bellis, a VAS volunteer who has professional experience with animal welfare issues. “The SPCA has excellent marketing. VAS has none. People don’t know we exist, and more importantly, they don’t know the dogs exist.”
Bellis has spent months advocating for change. She and a group of dedicated volunteers met with city officials in May to push for a dedicated Facebook and Instagram account for VAS—something she says staff at the shelter have quietly wanted for over 15 years. But what they were met with was stonewalling, silencing and, ultimately, a hard “no.”
“They wouldn’t answer questions. They told us social media was off the table within the first minute of the meeting,” says Kristl Daniels, another VAS volunteer who attended the May 21 meeting. “That ‘no’ isn’t just about policy. It’s about stripping a dog of the chance to be seen, and ultimately, adopted.”
Dogs like Scooby.
“Scooby came in after being tied to a tree and abandoned,” Bellis recalls. “He started to deteriorate. He became anxious, stressed and eventually refused to return to his kennel. Volunteers had to pass him around like a makeshift foster system to keep him from being euthanized. It wasn’t until someone saw him on social media—not the city website—that he was adopted.”
The City of Vancouver has stated that social media is an “ineffective” way to communicate with the public, a comment made on record by City Manager Paul Mochrie on April 16. Yet this contradicts what volunteers, adopters and experts know to be true. In fact, when the city did post a photo of a dog named Remy to its main Facebook page in April, the post went viral—prompting not only adoption inquiries, but a flood of comments asking why the city didn’t have a dedicated shelter account. Shortly after, the city paused the posts altogether.
“There’s a real fear of brand dilution,” says Ireland. “But what about the dogs? What about their lives? What harm could come from a separate Instagram account to help them get adopted? People love cute dogs. It’s not complicated.”
Meghan Forhan, a criminal defence lawyer and principal at Pender Litigation, attended the same May meeting. “The lack of transparency in the meeting was concerning. No one could or would explain who made the decision to deny VAS its own social media presence.”
Forhan says some volunteers are now considering legal action. “Right now, we’re still in the information-gathering stage, but the lack of process is deeply concerning. The public has a right to know why animals are being kept in the dark.”
Even City Councillor Pete Fry, whose own dog Ruby was adopted from VAS after nine months in the shelter (sadly, Ruby recently passed away), agrees change is overdue. “It’s about fantastic dogs who are languishing in doggie jail,” Fry told Global News. “They don’t thrive in the pound.”
Meanwhile, passionate voices continue to rise. Emails from volunteers, adopters and concerned citizens, and even a letter of support from a respected rescue organization that regularly takes dogs off the shelter’s hands, have flooded council inboxes. A public campaign is underway. And still, the dogs wait.
“No dog thrives in a shelter,” Daniels says. “They thrive in homes, with people, with routine. This isn’t just about social media. It’s about doing what’s right. Lives depend on it.”
Until policy changes, volunteers like Ireland, Bellis, Daniels and so many others will keep fighting. Fighting for visibility. Fighting for transparency. Fighting for the chance for every dog to be seen—and saved.
“The city has committed to twice monthly posts about adoptable dogs at VAS, and we have requested these be carousels showcasing a number of animals looking for homes,” says Ireland, adding that, while the dedicated VAS social channels she’s pushing for would make a far greater impact, the animals will, at least and in the meantime, have some visibility on @cityofvancouver. “Support the city’s posts, comment under them, share them. And speak up. These animals deserve to be known. They deserve a voice.”
Because in the shelter system, visibility isn’t just about going viral. It’s about going home. —Noa Nichol
share:
May 26th, 2025 at 12:10 am
Nippon Florist’s online gift delivery in Japan, sending a heartfelt gift has never been easier. Choose their desired gift basket, and have it delivered straight to their loved ones’ doorstep in Japan. Whether you’re near or far, Nippon Florist ensures that your gift arrives in perfect condition and on time, making every occasion a special one.
Website: https://www.nipponflorist.jp/gift-baskets
May 31st, 2025 at 4:32 am
livraison discrète Kamagra: acheter Kamagra sans ordonnance – pharmacie en ligne france
June 2nd, 2025 at 8:17 am
pharmacie vend viagra sans ordonnance: generic cialis – niclosamide sans ordonnance
June 2nd, 2025 at 10:16 pm
clindamicina gel: minias principio attivo – farmacia online 24h
June 3rd, 2025 at 2:22 am
anxiolitique sans ordonnance: appareil auditif en pharmacie sans ordonnance Рav̬ne cleanance hydra cr̬me lavante
June 3rd, 2025 at 9:56 pm
jadiza pillola prezzo: movicol adulti acquisto on line – dermomycin crema prezzo
June 4th, 2025 at 6:34 am
pantorc 20 mg prezzo: Farmacia Subito – pentacol 800 ГЁ un antibiotico
June 4th, 2025 at 10:11 am
biwind a cosa serve Farmacia Subito sirdalud costo
June 4th, 2025 at 11:03 am
produit pour otite sans ordonnance: cout test antigenique pharmacie sans ordonnance – trolovol 300 mg sans ordonnance
June 4th, 2025 at 12:02 pm
http://farmaciasubito.com/# eyroobi collirio prezzo
June 4th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
gliatilin 600 prezzo resilient 83 costo farmacia europa genova
June 4th, 2025 at 3:02 pm
riopan gel mutuabile prezzo: farmacia online economica – farmacia consegna a domicilio
June 4th, 2025 at 7:01 pm
siler 25 prezzo: meglio compresse o bustine – monuril online
June 4th, 2025 at 9:50 pm
https://farmaciasubito.shop/# zitromax 200 mg/5 ml bambini
June 5th, 2025 at 1:31 am
buy medicines online in india medical store online india mail order pharmacy
June 5th, 2025 at 1:51 am
vibramycin online pharmacy: propecia boots pharmacy – prilosec online pharmacy
June 5th, 2025 at 5:27 am
usa services online pharmacy buying prescriptions in mexico wegovy mexican pharmacy
June 5th, 2025 at 5:41 am
http://inpharm24.com/# first online pharmacy in india
June 5th, 2025 at 8:39 am
rx pharmacy no prescription: fluconazole mexico pharmacy – provigil uk pharmacy
June 5th, 2025 at 9:06 am
pharmacy2u orlistat Pharm Express 24 compound pharmacy domperidone
June 5th, 2025 at 11:56 am
medicine land pharmacy: cheap lorazepam – pain medicine in houston
June 5th, 2025 at 12:06 pm
https://pharmexpress24.shop/# what is rx in pharmacy
June 5th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
where to buy ozempic in tijuana mexico online pharmacy mexican xanax pharmacy
June 5th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
online pharmacy india: best indian pharmacy – medicines online india
June 5th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
order medicines online: InPharm24 – pharmacy chains in india
June 5th, 2025 at 4:23 pm
abilify pharmacy assistance propecia boots pharmacy one rx pharmacy
June 5th, 2025 at 6:31 pm
http://pharmexpress24.com/# pharmaceuticals online australia
June 5th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
mexicanrxpharm reviews otc drugs mexico cancun pharmacies
June 5th, 2025 at 9:53 pm
legitimate online mexican pharmacy: mail order prescriptions adderall – prednisone mexico pharmacy
June 6th, 2025 at 12:01 am
prescription medication online pharmacy is the online drugstore legit ritalin in mexico
June 6th, 2025 at 12:22 am
buying prozac online: Pharm Mex – the online drugstore
June 6th, 2025 at 1:07 am
prednisone mexico: farmacias mexicanas con envÃos internacionales – online steroid pharmacy legit
June 6th, 2025 at 2:48 am
http://inpharm24.com/# buy medicine online india
June 6th, 2025 at 8:30 am
indocin online pharmacy Pharm Express 24 how to buy viagra at pharmacy
June 6th, 2025 at 11:36 am
cost generic clomiphene for sale cost of clomiphene no prescription can you buy generic clomiphene without rx clomid challenge test clomid one fallopian tube can i order cheap clomiphene without insurance how to get generic clomiphene price
June 6th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
https://pharmmex.shop/# is tramadol otc in mexico
June 6th, 2025 at 2:45 pm
india mail order pharmacy: InPharm24 – pharmacy franchises in india
June 6th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
costa rica pharmacy viagra pharmacy direct gb propecia pharmacy choice acyclovir cold sore cream
June 6th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
india pharmacy delivery: india pharmacy of the world – first online pharmacy in india
June 6th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
is tramadol over the counter in mexico mexico pharmacy list diet pills from mexico
June 6th, 2025 at 10:34 pm
https://pharmmex.shop/# pharmacy store online
June 7th, 2025 at 3:45 am
generic viagra 25mg: how to order generic viagra online – cheap generic viagra 50mg
June 7th, 2025 at 7:26 am
buy sildenafil pills online: can i buy viagra over the counter nz – 25mg viagra daily
June 7th, 2025 at 9:34 am
viagra 50 mg tablet online purchase: cost of prescription viagra – buying generic viagra
June 7th, 2025 at 11:18 am
discount pharmacy sildenafil: cheap sildenafil 100 – cheap viagra canada free shipping
June 7th, 2025 at 3:06 pm
buy generic viagra online australia: canada viagra – where can i buy viagra in canada
June 7th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
100 viagra pill: canada generic viagra price – generic sildenafil usa
June 7th, 2025 at 11:02 pm
brand viagra australia: VGR Sources – sildenafil drug coupon
June 8th, 2025 at 1:44 am
https://vgrsources.com/# sildenafil fast delivery
June 8th, 2025 at 4:03 am
viagra 25mg for sale: sildenafil buy online canada – where can i get viagra for women
June 8th, 2025 at 7:52 am
sildenafil drug coupon: generic viagra 50mg price – buy viagra online 100mg
June 8th, 2025 at 9:11 am
order brand viagra: VGR Sources – can you buy viagra over the counter canada
June 8th, 2025 at 12:33 pm
harga viagra termurah: sildenafil 30 mg – can i buy viagra in mexico
June 8th, 2025 at 2:22 pm
best online price for viagra: VGR Sources – buy real viagra online no prescription
June 8th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
viagra pill cost sildenafil soft tablets prescription viagra cost
June 8th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
More posts like this would bring about the blogosphere more useful.
June 8th, 2025 at 7:32 pm
viagra singapore pharmacy: cheap viagra 150 mg – can i buy viagra over the counter usa
June 9th, 2025 at 12:22 am
https://vgrsources.com/# viagra generic uk
June 9th, 2025 at 12:44 am
20 mg sildenafil cost: viagra tablets canada – viagra online from india
June 9th, 2025 at 2:50 am
best price for generic viagra: VGR Sources – viagra tablet price online
June 9th, 2025 at 6:15 am
over the counter female viagra pills: VGR Sources – sildenafil 50 mg mexico
June 9th, 2025 at 11:34 am
sildenafil generic canada: sildenafil online sale – sildenafil online buy india
June 9th, 2025 at 11:55 am
https://vgrsources.com/# online viagra usa
June 9th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
buy sildenafil 100mg online: VGR Sources – sildenafil canada cost
June 9th, 2025 at 10:11 pm
cost of sildenafil 20 mg: VGR Sources – where can i order viagra online in canada
June 9th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
buy 1 viagra pill: generic viagra australia online – generic viagra from mexico
June 9th, 2025 at 11:27 pm
https://vgrsources.com/# viagra without presc uk
June 10th, 2025 at 3:06 am
CrestorPharm: Crestor home delivery USA – CrestorPharm
June 10th, 2025 at 7:30 am
atorvastatin and bananas: LipiPharm – Lipi Pharm
June 10th, 2025 at 9:10 am
I am in point of fact delighted to glance at this blog posts which consists of tons of useful facts, thanks object of providing such data.
June 10th, 2025 at 11:47 am
Crestor Pharm: CrestorPharm – Over-the-counter Crestor USA
June 10th, 2025 at 4:07 pm
LipiPharm: Lipi Pharm – FDA-approved generic statins online
June 10th, 2025 at 8:39 pm
prednisone canada: canadian online pharmacy prednisone – prednisone oral
June 11th, 2025 at 1:44 am
when to take rosuvastatin morning or night: Crestor Pharm – CrestorPharm
June 11th, 2025 at 5:51 am
LipiPharm: LipiPharm – LipiPharm
June 11th, 2025 at 7:08 am
LipiPharm: п»їBuy Lipitor without prescription USA – Lipi Pharm
June 11th, 2025 at 12:18 pm
No prescription diabetes meds online microdose semaglutide SemagluPharm
June 11th, 2025 at 12:38 pm
atorvastatin nebenwirkungen: п»їBuy Lipitor without prescription USA – atorvastatin bad for kidneys
June 11th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
https://lipipharm.com/# Lipi Pharm
June 11th, 2025 at 6:07 pm
Semaglutide tablets without prescription: Semaglu Pharm – SemagluPharm
June 11th, 2025 at 11:44 pm
SemagluPharm: SemagluPharm – SemagluPharm
June 12th, 2025 at 5:11 am
Lipi Pharm: lipitor overdose – lipitor for cholesterol
June 12th, 2025 at 8:52 am
order azithromycin online – buy generic zithromax over the counter buy flagyl 200mg pills
June 12th, 2025 at 10:33 am
LipiPharm: LipiPharm – stopping lipitor in elderly
June 12th, 2025 at 12:40 pm
https://crestorpharm.com/# Crestor Pharm
June 12th, 2025 at 3:48 pm
how can i get prednisone: PredniPharm – buy prednisone without prescription
June 12th, 2025 at 11:35 pm
http://semaglupharm.com/# Rybelsus for blood sugar control
June 13th, 2025 at 4:04 am
Semaglu Pharm rybelsus weight loss before and after SemagluPharm
June 13th, 2025 at 8:48 am
http://crestorpharm.com/# Best price for Crestor online USA
June 13th, 2025 at 11:03 am
https://semaglupharm.com/# how to give semaglutide injection with syringe
June 13th, 2025 at 3:37 pm
CrestorPharm: Crestor Pharm – Crestor Pharm
June 13th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
https://semaglupharm.shop/# SemagluPharm
June 13th, 2025 at 8:22 pm
cheap semaglutide – generic semaglutide order cyproheptadine pills
June 13th, 2025 at 9:27 pm
https://crestorpharm.shop/# CrestorPharm
June 14th, 2025 at 4:57 am
Buy statins online discreet shipping how long does it take for rosuvastatin to lower cholesterol CrestorPharm
June 14th, 2025 at 8:31 am
https://semaglupharm.com/# Semaglu Pharm
June 14th, 2025 at 10:13 am
http://prednipharm.com/# PredniPharm
June 14th, 2025 at 10:42 am
Rybelsus 3mg 7mg 14mg what happens if you use expired semaglutide SemagluPharm
June 14th, 2025 at 1:46 pm
https://semaglupharm.com/# SemagluPharm
June 14th, 2025 at 10:20 pm
Semaglu Pharm Rybelsus side effects and dosage SemagluPharm
June 14th, 2025 at 11:52 pm
http://prednipharm.com/# Predni Pharm
June 15th, 2025 at 12:58 am
https://semaglupharm.com/# Semaglu Pharm
June 15th, 2025 at 10:16 am
pill identifier what does atorvastatin look like Cheap Lipitor 10mg / 20mg / 40mg lipitor precio
June 15th, 2025 at 12:45 pm
https://lipipharm.shop/# LipiPharm
June 15th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
5 mg prednisone tablets: prednisone prescription for sale – Predni Pharm
June 15th, 2025 at 4:09 pm
Crestor Pharm CrestorPharm Online statin therapy without RX
June 15th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
https://semaglupharm.com/# SemagluPharm
June 15th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
order generic motilium 10mg – flexeril cost cyclobenzaprine without prescription
June 15th, 2025 at 10:42 pm
canadian family pharmacy: canadadrugpharmacy com – canadian pharmacy price checker
June 16th, 2025 at 12:46 am
https://canadapharmglobal.shop/# pharmacy canadian
June 16th, 2025 at 2:38 am
https://medsfrommexico.shop/# Meds From Mexico
June 16th, 2025 at 7:00 am
https://medsfrommexico.shop/# Meds From Mexico
June 16th, 2025 at 8:39 am
Meds From Mexico best online pharmacies in mexico pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
June 16th, 2025 at 9:08 am
https://indiapharmglobal.shop/# India Pharm Global
June 16th, 2025 at 11:26 am
https://indiapharmglobal.shop/# buy medicines online in india
June 16th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
Meds From Mexico Meds From Mexico п»їbest mexican online pharmacies
June 16th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
https://canadapharmglobal.shop/# rate canadian pharmacies
June 16th, 2025 at 5:27 pm
https://indiapharmglobal.com/# indian pharmacies safe
June 16th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
http://canadapharmglobal.com/# canadian neighbor pharmacy
June 17th, 2025 at 12:00 am
Meds From Mexico pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa mexican rx online
June 17th, 2025 at 1:02 am
http://indiapharmglobal.com/# buy prescription drugs from india
June 17th, 2025 at 1:05 am
Meds From Mexico: Meds From Mexico – mexico pharmacies prescription drugs
June 17th, 2025 at 5:18 am
http://medsfrommexico.com/# reputable mexican pharmacies online
June 17th, 2025 at 6:45 am
https://indiapharmglobal.com/# India Pharm Global
June 17th, 2025 at 7:19 am
mexico drug stores pharmacies: Meds From Mexico – mexico drug stores pharmacies
June 17th, 2025 at 12:37 pm
https://canadapharmglobal.com/# pharmacies in canada that ship to the us
June 17th, 2025 at 6:07 pm
https://indiapharmglobal.shop/# india online pharmacy
June 17th, 2025 at 6:24 pm
https://canadapharmglobal.shop/# canadian pharmacy king reviews
June 17th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
indian pharmacies safe India Pharm Global India Pharm Global
June 17th, 2025 at 8:41 pm
India Pharm Global: india online pharmacy – India Pharm Global
June 17th, 2025 at 11:38 pm
https://raskapotek.com/# Rask Apotek
June 18th, 2025 at 12:20 am
Papa Farma farmacias prГіximas comprar sildenafil online
June 18th, 2025 at 1:59 am
EFarmaciaIt: EFarmaciaIt – broncho munal serve ricetta
June 18th, 2025 at 4:07 am
http://efarmaciait.com/# EFarmaciaIt
June 18th, 2025 at 4:16 am
http://svenskapharma.com/# Svenska Pharma
June 18th, 2025 at 5:30 am
gabapral stick a cosa serve EFarmaciaIt EFarmaciaIt
June 18th, 2025 at 8:46 am
https://efarmaciait.shop/# EFarmaciaIt
June 18th, 2025 at 10:45 am
Papa Farma sobres casenlax Papa Farma
June 18th, 2025 at 12:51 pm
http://svenskapharma.com/# häst löss
June 18th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
https://svenskapharma.com/# Svenska Pharma
June 18th, 2025 at 1:59 pm
nitrittsalt apotek: Rask Apotek – destillert vann apotek
June 18th, 2025 at 3:42 pm
viagra shop EFarmaciaIt gocce day e night in farmacia
June 18th, 2025 at 5:34 pm
https://papafarma.com/# venta farmacia madrid
June 18th, 2025 at 7:44 pm
farmacia on line sicura: flubason cosa serve – EFarmaciaIt
June 18th, 2025 at 10:49 pm
https://papafarma.shop/# parafarmacia las palmas
June 19th, 2025 at 3:40 am
robilas cosa serve EFarmaciaIt EFarmaciaIt
June 19th, 2025 at 4:38 am
https://papafarma.shop/# precio diu mirena en farmacia
June 19th, 2025 at 10:18 am
Rask Apotek Rask Apotek Rask Apotek
June 19th, 2025 at 10:34 am
http://efarmaciait.com/# EFarmaciaIt
June 19th, 2025 at 11:25 am
http://efarmaciait.com/# EFarmaciaIt
June 19th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
tramadol precio farma dos cepillo elГ©ctrico oral b pro 3
June 20th, 2025 at 12:24 am
https://raskapotek.shop/# Rask Apotek
June 20th, 2025 at 3:45 am
farmacie online milano: EFarmaciaIt – delecit farmaco
June 20th, 2025 at 8:40 am
Svenska Pharma: Svenska Pharma – Svenska Pharma
June 20th, 2025 at 10:11 am
https://svenskapharma.shop/# billigt apotek
June 20th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
EFarmaciaIt EFarmaciaIt top farmacia opinioni
June 20th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
https://efarmaciait.com/# EFarmaciaIt
June 20th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
https://svenskapharma.shop/# Svenska Pharma
June 20th, 2025 at 5:03 pm
costo medrol 16 mg: EFarmaciaIt – EFarmaciaIt
June 20th, 2025 at 6:43 pm
nellikolje apotek: Rask Apotek – Rask Apotek
June 20th, 2025 at 6:52 pm
Rask Apotek Rask Apotek Rask Apotek
June 20th, 2025 at 11:28 pm
https://pharmaconnectusa.com/# Pharma Connect USA
June 21st, 2025 at 12:18 am
http://medicijnpunt.com/# MedicijnPunt