Vancouver Island dog rescuer dies in Ukraine

Jesse Adams, a Sooke animal rescuer who helped evacuate animals from communities threatened by the war in Ukraine, has died.

In recent months, Adams had been working with Animal Rescue Kharkiv to get dogs, cats and other animals out of dangerous areas exposed to drone attacks, missiles and artillery fire.

Adams co-founded RainCoast Dog Rescue Society in 2014. The volunteer-run charity rescues and rehabilitates animals and operates community programs through its RainCoast PET Project.

The Victoria Humane Society shared a statement from RainCoast announcing Adams’ death.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we RainCoast Dog Rescue Society have to announce the passing of our founder Jesse Adams. After a life lived in service to animal welfare Jesse made the ultimate sacrifice to his beliefs on the frontlines of Ukraine. As we do our best to navigate this difficult time, we ask for patience and understanding,” the statement said.

Wylie Henderson
Wylie Henderson
Wylie is news director for Vancouver Island, bringing more than a decade of broadcast experience to the role. A Vancouver native, he moved to the Island in 2025 with his wife and stepdaughter after a long run on the airwaves in the Kootenays. He is committed to delivering timely, reliable and community-focused news to listeners across the region. A lifelong Vancouver Canucks and B.C. Lions fan, Wylie is just as comfortable breaking down a game as he is breaking down a news story. Away from the newsroom, he can often be found on the golf course, cycling or lacing up his skates for a game of hockey. For Wylie, keeping listeners informed about what matters locally is more than a job, it’s a passion.

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