Pet Abandonment

• Snapping turtle abandoned outside Vaughan, Ont., zoo, 2nd case this year

  The Reptila zoo in Vaughan, Ont., is dealing with its second case of animal abandonment this year. The latest victim? A Florida snapping turtle named "Gilberto."

  Canada

  Apr 6
  
• 76 cats surrendered to Niagara SPCA in 4 days: ‘We couldn’t have planned for this’

  The Niagara SPCA and Humane Society has had an overwhelming couple of days with a total of 76 cats surrendered or found abandoned.

  Canada

  Jul 30, 2025
  
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• Pet abandonments in Quebec used to spike around Canada Day. Now they’re year-round

  Montreal's SPCA is no longer seeing a big jump in animal surrenders around July 1, but that's not because people have stopped giving up their pets before moving homes.

  Canada

  Jul 1, 2025
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• Puppy mills now illegal in Ontario, but advocates say little will change for dogs

  Puppy mills are now illegal in Ontario after the province recently passed legislation banning them, but critics say the new law will do little to curb the problem.

  Canada

  Jun 26, 2024
• Canadian pet rescues ‘begging for help’ amid high costs of care

  One Alberta rescue agency says pets are being left on their front door as owners struggle to pay for the costs of pet care.

  Money

  Dec 9, 2023
• Owner of dog found abandoned with note located by Toronto Humane Society

  The Toronto Humane Society is raising awareness about programs designed to help pet owners overwhelmed by personal and financial struggles.

  Canada

  Apr 10, 2023
• Parks Canada seeing ‘three-fold increase’ in abandoned pets at Toronto area park

  Parks Canada is calling on people to stop abandoning their pets at a Greater Toronto Area park. The government agency says it has seen a three-fold increase in recent years.

  Canada

  Jan 26, 2023
• More ‘pandemic pets’ are ending up in shelters. Is there a fix? Experts weigh in

  Experts say more education, empathy and experience is needed when adopting animals as more and more end up in Canada's shelters after the pandemic.

  Canada

  Jul 24, 2022
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• PuppySwap ad sheds light on pet abandonment

  The Toronto Humane Society is being praised for advertising a subscription service that allows pet owners to swap their unwanted dog for a new puppy.

  Jan 12, 2015