While Vancouver is a human creation, all sorts of other animals live here too, from Anna's hummingbirds (the city's official bird) to grey squirrels (they're descended from a gift) to nudibranchs.
Over the year, V.I.A. has covered many animal stories (wild and domestic) from the cute to the boring yet unexpected.
Here are seven of them.
Adorable sea otter pup(s) under care of Vancouver rescue organization
Really, this is a series of stories. Two sea otter pups, now named Tofino and Luna, are currently in the care of the Vancouver Aquarium after each was found at different times this summer, just days after being born.
It created an unprecedented situation for the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society, which rarely sees a single otter under their care, nevermind two pups.
Given how adorable newsworthy the pair were, V.I.A. made sure to visit several times and get lots of photos and videos.
There was the time we first met Tofino (before she even had a name), the announcement Luna had been found, the naming of Tofino, Tofino's move to the aquarium, and an update about Luna, just to list a few of the cutest stories.
'The bravest Canadian': Video shows woman chasing flock of Canada geese
Canadian geese are famous for being rather snippy.
Often they wander wherever they want without a care in the world; that includes major roadways.
When one flock decided to cross six lanes of traffic in the middle of the day, a very brave woman challenged their lackadaisical pace.
Jessica Biel meets namesake rescue 'Jessica Seal'
Jessica Seal has long been a resident of the Vancouver Aquarium, but until this year actress Jessica Biel, who Jessica Seal was (sort of) named after hadn't been able to stop by.
It finally happened this year.
"I was lucky enough to meet her and explore the wonderful place she now gets to call home," wrote Biel, the human, on Instagram.
Meet Ferus, the dog taking care of Vancouver's firefighters
There are many dogs with jobs in Vancouver, but there's only one like Ferus.
His title is Occupational Stress Intervention Dog. Basically, he's the dog tasked with helping Vancouver firefighters take care of their mental health.
On top of his innate canine abilities, Ferus has been trained to recognize when a firefighter is experiencing elevated stress and knows how to help calm them.
"When he is on duty, I find that he just is just a part of the crew," handler Brandon Currie told V.I.A.
Watch the Vancouver Aquarium's residents experience snow in adorable video
Last winter many people in Vancouver struggled through the snow.
But at the Vancouver Aquarium, it was a grand old time for the sea otters, sea lions, and seals.
The aquarium shared a video of the flippered mammals reacting, watching and sliding around as the snow falls around them.
One pet is legally allowed to be louder than all others in Vancouver
For some reason, cats are not covered by noise bylaws in the city.
Locals react to passing of Vancouver Duck Lady
Perhaps no one in Vancouver was as recognized for their animals as Laura-Kay Prophet, also known as the Vancouver Duck Lady.
For decades she was a common sight with a series of pet ducks.
Sadly, this spring she passed away.
