Dog Left in Toronto Park Over Financial Hardship

An owner in Toronto had to make a nightmare decision on April 3rd, 2023 after some unfortunate events in their life took place. The owner abandoned their 3-year-old dog, Max, in Primrose Avenue Park with a note explaining the circumstances that led to the decision. 

The note read: 

“      MAX

• Will be 4 years in June

• Very smart

• Not fixed

• Good with kids

• Lost my job                                        

• Lost my apartment

• Can’t afford to take care of him

• He’s a good boy”

Unfortunately, this is just one example of many that the Toronto Humane Society has seen. They say that the number of pets being abandoned or dropped off in shelters has been increasing as inflation continues to rise and the cost of living continuously grows. 

There is some good news, though; in 2020, as the pandemic was surging and dogs being abandoned was at an all-time high, the Urgent Care Program was created, which allows dog owners who are going through difficult times to send their pups to temporary foster homes while the owners have time to get through their difficult circumstances. 

If anyone knows Max’s family, please have them contact the Toronto Humane Society so that Max can be enrolled in the Urgent Care Program, after which Max and his family can be reunited. 

We here at DogPack hope that more cities begin initiatives such as the Urgent Care Program so that dog owners can rest assured that they will never have to make such a difficult and heartbreaking decision.