Words Lisa Gee, Balfour’s Friends Foundation
Photos Courtesy BFF
Anyone who has owned and loved a pet has experienced that terrible moment when there is an unexpected vet bill, and many have had to struggle to find a way to pay for it. But what happens when there simply is no money? Where do people turn?
This is the question that Sidney resident Stephanie Munkley asked herself in 2012, before founding Balfour’s Friends Foundation (BFF), a grassroots charity based in Greater Victoria. Her mission was clear: to provide financial assistance to low-income pet owners facing critical veterinary expenses, and in doing so, keep beloved pets with the families who cherish them.
While working as a first responder, Munkley identified a significant gap in support for individuals struggling to afford essential pet care. As she describes it: “A lot of these people are so marginalized. It’s either surrender or euthanize a lot of the time.” Determined to change that reality, she built an organization that now helps hundreds of pets and their owners each year.
What makes BFF particularly remarkable is how much it achieves with so little. Entirely volunteer-run, the foundation operates with limited resources but delivers a profound impact. Its support often arrives at moments of crisis, when a sudden illness or injury threatens not only a pet’s life, but also the emotional well-being of the person who depends on them.
Fundraising presents unique challenges. Unlike many animal charities that spotlight adoptable pets, BFF’s work is quieter and deeply personal. The animals they help already have homes; their stories are often private, their owners frequently seniors on fixed incomes or individuals living with disabilities and whose pets are a lifeline.
As veterinary costs continue to rise, so does demand for BFF’s services. Today, the foundation provides up to $500 per pet for urgent care across the Capital Regional District. In 2025 alone, it assisted 147 pets and distributed over $69,000 in aid.
Despite its growth, BFF remains a small organization driven by a passionate team. Pet lovers as well, they bring a deep understanding of how vital pets can be, especially for those facing isolation and hardship. As retired Saanich police officer and Vice President Scott Treble notes: “For some pet owners, their pet is their only world.”
A cornerstone of BFF’s fundraising efforts is its annual calendars – Firefighters and Friends and Officers on Pawtrol – which feature local first responders alongside their pets and police dogs. Their continued popularity in an increasingly digital world speaks volumes about the community’s support for both BFF and its local heroes.
Though it may not command widespread attention, Balfour’s Friends Foundation has spent more than a decade quietly transforming lives. Its guiding belief is simple yet powerful: no one should be denied the love and companionship of a pet.
For further information or to donate visit www.balfoursfriends.com.
