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When a tipster flagged RainCoast Dog Rescue founder Jesse Adams about Zoe, a Golden Retriever in a world of hurt, he knew sitting still wasn't an option—even though the dog was in Lebanon and Adams calls Canada home. 'I have never been one to back down from a challenge, especially to help save an animal's life,' he says. Zoe, a chained and emaciated breeding dog, had endured forced litters and cruelty. After pleading with team after team to travel out and rescue her, and hearing nothing but no, Adams booked a flight to the Middle East himself, saved the pup, and brought her back to British Columbia for care before settling her into a loving forever home.
The mission of the RainCoast Dog Rescue Society is to 'rescue and rehabilitate unwanted, neglected, abused, and misplaced dogs from shelters and communities both at home in Canada and around the world.' Humble, volunteer-run and non-profit, the Sooke, BC outfit punches far above its weight globally.
'I started RainCoast seven years ago,' says the 36-year-old Adams, 'and the inspiration was simply following my natural pull to help animals, dogs especially.'
Left to right: Chase, Lucas and Rosie
It's a family flame. His late mother spent 36 years protecting wildlife, and animals filled his childhood home. After a stint on another rescue's board, Adams knew he wanted to pour his expertise into finding fresh ways to help dogs in crisis.
Through RainCoast, Adams and crew run clinics that deliver spaying, neutering, vaccinations and veterinary support—plus a lifeline for owners who are low-income, unhoused, or living in far-flung rural pockets. The rescue also champions the causes of spay-and-neuter, responsible ownership, breed-neutral bylaws, and ethical training.
'To date I'd roughly say we've rescued, rehabilitated and adopted out over 2,000 animals in the last seven years,' Adams says, 'most of them dogs, some cats, and the odd farm animal along the way.'
'Our team is 100 percent volunteer—no salaries, no wages. We have eight core members running the operation, but a wonderfully wide circle of people help make RainCoast what it is. It truly takes a village.'
RainCoast founder Jesse Adams with Zoe
Take Rosie, a four-month-old stray pulled from a rural community in Northern Saskatchewan.
It took a battalion of rescuers, vets and one crucial foster home to save the Shepherd–Husky mix. So dire was her condition at discovery that the team doubted she'd even survive the drive to the nearest emergency vet.
'Rosie's body smelled of rotting flesh and infection. She could barely move or lift her head,' Adams recalls. 'After we got her to the emergency vet she spent three days under 24-hour care, then came home with the prognosis that she still might not make it.'
Her grueling rehabilitation—severe mange plus secondary infections—meant a full year of vet visits, antibiotic after antibiotic, and emotional repair. In June 2021, the colossal effort paid off: Rosie found her forever family.
'It was an astonishing logistical feat with endless moving pieces and devoted volunteers for a single sick dog,' says RainCoast volunteer Owen Laukkanen, 'but you won't find anyone who says it wasn't worth it.'
'How that sweet girl survived, none of us truly know, but she did—and she has forever inspired us with her grit, stubbornness and refusal to quit no matter how bleak it got,' Adams says. 'Helping one dog may not change the world, but for that one dog, the world changes forever.'
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