"SAVING ONE ANIMAL WON'T CHANGE THE WORLD, BUT IT WILL CHANGE THE WORLD OF THAT ONE ANIMAL."

ZITA'S A.R.C. (ANIMAL RESCUE CENTER) IS A PRIVATELY FUNDED, OWNED AND OPERATED ANIMAL SHELTER LOCATED ON CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA. IT HAS BEEN IN FULL OPERATION SINCE SPRING 2008 AND PARTIALLY OPEN SINCE 2003. PRIOR TO ITS OFFICIAL OPENNING A LOT OF PLANNING, PREPARATION, DESIGN, BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION HAD TO OCCUR. NOW WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO PROVIDE A SAFE, WARM, HEALTHY AND HAPPY HOME TO 68 ANIMALS. (ZITA, THE ARTIST, IS THE FOUNDER, SOLE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF ZITA'S ARC.)

ONCE WE DECIDE TO TAKE ON A NEW 'FAMILY' MEMBER AND THEY ARRIVE THROUGH OUR DOORS / GATES THEY STAY HERE WITH US FOR LIFE. WE DO NOT ADOPT OUT OR FOSTER ANY ANIMALS HOWEVER WE DO FACILITATE REHOMINGS. THIS PLACE BECOMES EVERYONE'S PERMANENT HOME. MOST OF THE ANIMALS AT THE CENTER HAVE BEEN RESCUED FROM ABUSE, NEGLECT, ABANDONMENT OR NEAR DEATH. PLEASE SEE OUR 'ANIMALS RESCUED' PAGE FOR ALL THEIR STORIES. THE LIST BELOW SHOWS THE TYPES OF ANIMALS CURRENTLY LIVING AT ZITA'S A.R.C.:

HORSES

GOATS

PEACOCKS

PHEASANTS

PIGEONS

DUCKS

CHICKENS

BUNNIES

CATS

WOLF HYBRIDS

TURTLE

FISH

WE ALSO HAVE MANY WILD ANIMAL VISITORS, SOME ON A DAILY BASES. WE KEEP A VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. SOME OF THESE WILD 'FRIENDS' ARE:

RACOONS

MINK

OWLS

HAWKS

EAGLES

WOODPECKERS

SONG BIRDS

AND THE OCCASIONAL BEAR AND COUGAR WHO PASS THROUGH

BECAUSE OF THIS LARGE WILD PREDATORY POPULATION ALL OUR ANIMALS ARE SAFELY HOUSED IN 'ATTACK PROOF' SHELTERS INDOORS AND OUTDOORS. PLEASE SEE OUR PHOTO GALLERY FOR IMAGES. THIS ALLOWS EVERYONE TO MOVE ABOUT DAY OR NIGHT WITHOUT EVER BEING IN HARM'S WAY. WE HAVE NEVER LOST ANYONE DUE TO VIOLENCE.

"WITHIN THE HEART OF EVERY STRAY LIES THE SINGULAR DESIRE TO BE LOVED."