Save Our Scruff, Toronto, ON (2025)

02/02/2025

JUST pulled from a shelter, meet Freddie 🥹

This guy has been sitting at a local shelter for a few weeks and that is really difficult for a puppy as they need lots of guidance 💞

Freddie was taken in as a “stray” with 2 litter mates. The others have been adopted. Freddie is expected to be around 5 months and a black lab/shepherd mix. We’re obsessed with his growing ears - 1 usually sticks up and 1 falls down 🐰

We picked Freddie up this afternoon, swapping the kennel life for an experienced SOS foster home. Freddie has 2 doggy siblings to have fun with and his foster parents to give him 1-on-1 support. The shelter staff were great to him and already got him started on sit & down.

He’s a smart cookie and will be adoptable very soon. Interested? Send us a DM to get the convo started.

Welcome Freddie!!!

Since black dogs typically stay in care longer and have a harder time getting adopted, we’re dedicated to tracking and keeping our community updated on how his promotion does. Can our community rally together to change the outcome for Freddie? He’ll need extra social engagement and promotion! Today is day 1 in care.

The last two photos show him settling into foster care today 🥹🥹🥹

02/02/2025

bts of 9 new arrivals!!! 💞

In the past 2 weeks we’ve had 5 intakes with a total of 9 dogs coming into care. One of which will be Millie (last photo) who is arriving today thanks to those who shared our shout out looking for a flight from Winnipeg!

From puppies to seniors, we’ve got dogs of all shapes and sizes and we will work at introducing you to them over the next few weeks. While they’re not adoptable yet, a few of them might join our adoption event February 9th from 12PM-3PM at Petsmart Mississauga Lakeshore. Hold the date!! More to be announced.

We’re so glad to be able to support our partners .angels.costarica

2 of our team members are also on their way to a local shelter right now to pick up another new arrival and assess some of their other dogs looking for rescue placement.

Donate, foster, adopt, volunteer.. there are so many ways to help out. It takes a village 💞

01/31/2025

It’s a good time to get a tattoo or piercing 🐶

Studios & Artists in Toronto, Burlington and Niagara got you covered. And guess what - proceeds will help dogs! We have a great selection of studios and artists donating proceeds from appointment sales to SOS!

Scroll through the slides to find the location closest to you and follow the instructions on how to book! All studios/artists accounts are tagged.

Note: you must book within the date/times listed in order for proceeds to go to SOS.

Further details can be found by going to the artists page!

Can’t wait to follow along 🥳

01/31/2025

alumni updates part two 🥹

We’re obsessed with all the messages we’re getting and had to share more. And trust, there are more to come!!

Hope you enjoy these as much as we do 💞

01/26/2025

yall showed up with some alumni updates

Last night we asked for some updates on our adopted scruffs and we just had to share what we got!

Enjoy the swipe through 👉🏻

01/24/2025

some insights as to why dogs are ended up in local shelters

There’s active talk online about the overpopulation of dogs in our local shelters. Let’s talk about what’s leading them there.

Note: more than 50% of dogs are entering shelters as “strays”.

We are reporting this data with approval and support from our close contacts at local shelters with the intention being that the more our community knows, the more we can do to find ways to make changes.

As a note, this is simply through our experience with dogs we have met and shelter staff we have spoken to. There may be a number of other reasons for intake and factors to consider. Dog abandonment itself is very complex and linked to many human related societal issues.

01/24/2025

📣Volunteer Role Opportunity!! On-site intake coordinator📣

The intake team is looking to add to their wonderful group of on-site volunteers. This role supports the on-site intake of dogs at ✈️ Pearson airport.

This role helps ensure every dog that comes into SOS care is transferred to their foster/adopters’ safely and securely.

FUN FACT: Did you know that the on-site coordinator is one of the only operational volunteer roles where you get to actually interact with dogs?! 🐶

We’re looking for folks that:
✨ Have consistent/reliable access to a vehicle (this is a requirement)
✨ Accessible distance from Pearson Airport for on-site support
✨Comfortable handling dogs. You don’t need a ton of experience, we can teach you!
✨Flexible schedule is 🔑 most intakes happen evening or early morning, but are all over the place!
✨Feel confident being a leader of a group of people with different experience levels (transporters, fosters, adopters)
✨Love dogs…’cause obviously 💞

The time commitment is a bit sporadic, as it’s all related to how many intakes we have in a given month, but generally, about 5+ hours per month.

We are not able to bring dogs into SOS care without this role, so it’s super vital to what we do! If we find consistent support we may be able to take in MORE dogs!

Come join our team and feel the community behind so many dogs journeys to adoption!! 🥹

If you are interested, please fill out the application on our website or comment “🐶✈️” in the comments and we’ll send you the link to it!

Apply yourself or tell your dog loving friends!

P.S. if you have any ideas for how we can secure this support otherwise.. send them to us! We want to help more dogs in 2025!

01/23/2025

6 dogs with no adoption interest — ✨APPLY NOW!✨

K, we know a picture is hard to help you fall in love with these three dimensional beings.. so we tried to find some fun photos for you this time.

✨ Love - or is that Sid from Ice Age?
✨ Remy - we spotted that curly fry tail
✨ Coquis - really good with those puppy eyes
✨ Sairi - the Kardashians have nothing on you
✨ Kori - draw me like one of those french dogs
✨ Duke - did someone say kid cuddler?!!

Please share to help these furry friends find their people. More info can be found at www.saveourscruff.org ✨💞🫶🏻

And if this wasn’t enough for you, we are planning to get some adoptables out to hamilton on February 2nd & Mississauga February 9th! Stay tuned for more on those events 🐶

01/23/2025

✨ Coquis is looking for their family ✨

Female | 3 years old | 23 pounds | Medium energy | Coexists with dog & cat | From Mexico | Living in Kitchener | Nervous, silly & smart

Coquis is currently doing a confidence reboot with one of our partner trainers, and we are looking for a new placement by February 1st. Ideally, we’d love to find her a foster-to-adopt situation where someone wants to see if she’s a good fit as their new pup. A foster home would work too.

At 3 years young, Coquis lived for some time in a shelter setting before coming to Toronto in October. This smol girl at just 23lbs felt a little lost in the city landscape. Indoors was her safe haven and she started coming out of her shell inside only. She thrived with another doggo to play with and learn from. She also has coexisted with a dog-friendly cat and done just dandy.

Coquis also enojoys predictability, so loud noises, unfamiliar sights or fast movements can put her on alert. She enjoys a quieter place to land in her next home. She’s currently in Kitchener, ON doing her reboot and so far so good. With consistency, short confidence building drills, structured walks and a bit of fun mixed in.. this girl is warming up in just a few days.

Her ideal next placement would continue her daily routine, guiding her to build trust and confidence both indoors & outside. Inside that would look like having her leashed to guide interactions and avoid hiding. Outside, that would look like practicing building confidence (while having fun) by doing obstacles like jumping on structures or rocks, when out for structured walks. She’s caught on well to learning to follow her trusted people on walks, to help guide her through things that may initially startle her.

She needs guidance with most tasks but does take coaching well. She could live with a animal buddy, and is good with a flexible schedule that has times in her crate alone and times with her people. Ideally she’d be outside a major city like Toronto and have areas of park to explore and grow comfort in a new city.

Interested? Reach out to us to talk at [email protected] or [email protected] depending on your desire! 💞

01/21/2025

some scruff updates you don’t want to miss 💞

We have some updates on scruffs you can’t stop asking about. Ready? Let’s get into it:

1. Faith - has an adoption pending. A couple who are adopters and longtime volunteers of ours reached out to apply. Now it’s time for her adoption trial!

2. Bobby - has an adoption pending. He is in an adoption trial as we speak. We’re so glad to have gotten interest for him to support moving after his bootcamp.

3. Curry - has an adoption pending. Curry previously had an application in place but as we posted during the holidays, they backed out. Curry has a new applicant in process to adopt, with someone who previously applied. Meet and greet happening soon!

4. Pericon - also has an adoption pending. After his previous adoption trial did not work out, he came back into care over the holidays. He now has an adoption pending with a previously interested applicant and starts his new adoption trial shortly. Sidenote: he also just learned how to play with toys and shred them (with proper monitoring). Check out the cute pic.

We’re really happy for these scruffs and will update if anything changes in their adoption status.

Ready for more fun news? 🗞️

Stay tuned as we have 9 new arrivals joining us this by the end of January (2 just arrived today). 1 adult, 2 young adults & 6 puppies between 8-14 weeks.

We also have 7 dogs on our website currently and Robby who was previously adoptable will be back online soon for anyone who was interested in him!

Stay up to date with our adoptables at www.saveourscruff.org 💞🫶🏻

01/19/2025

Rest in Peace, Max 🕊️

We’re deeply saddened to share the news of Max’s passing. Max’s journey with us was tough, as he struggled to find a forever home after being surrendered in 2015. Over five years, he moved between six different families. It was hard to see him return time after time, but hearing about his final years filled with love and care is a comfort. We’re so grateful Max found his family in the end.

“Sad to announce that on January 11, my grandfather had to lay his beloved dog, Max, to rest. Max had a rough start but with my grandfather’s compassion and patience, he became the most kind and loyal dog. Max and my grandfather had a very strict routine, with their 7am car rides to Tim Hortons, their 10AM walkies/runs around the property, not to mention that at 7pm SHARP Max got a “special treat”. I’m so so thankful to Max for being a constant companion, and giving my grandfather the company he needed. I want to express my deepest thanks to SOS for giving my grandfather a best friend for these past 4 years, and thank you Max, for being the best dog. I will forever be grateful.”

Thank you to everyone who was a part of Max’s journey home 🤍

01/18/2025

✨ meet adoptable Love ✨

Meet LOVE, a big-hearted 1 year old goofball from Mexico who’s ready to bring joy, laughs, and a little bit of puppy chaos into her forever home! With her social butterfly spirit and pint sized 29lb frame, LOVE makes human friends wherever she goes! She’s a bundle of affectionate energy and always up for an adventure. And once she’s tuckered out, she’s the perfect snuggle buddy, happily curling up for some quality downtime with her humans. LOVE has also mastered several obedience commands under her fosters’ training. She is eager and quick to learn, and highly food motivated!

Now, LOVE is still working on a few things, so her new family should be ready to keep guiding her. She’s got a strong prey drive and can’t resist a good squirrel chase, so keeping her focused on walks (and off the treats she sometimes finds on the ground!) is a must. LOVE can sometimes be reactive with younger, higher-energy dogs on leash and tends to do better with older, calmer and well-trained dogs. Her fosters say LOVE typically mirrors the energy of the other dog. Crate training is also a work in progress; she’ll sometimes bark and whine when left alone, so she’ll thrive with someone who is WFH or otherwise home most of the time until her separation anxiety improves.

LOVE’s dream home is with an active family, couple, or individual with older kids or teens who can match her playful energy. She’d do best with a family that’s patient with her training needs, especially in reinforcing boundaries and tackling that love for snack-hunting during walks! While LOVE could be a good second dog to an older, calm and well-trained pup, she would also be great as a solo dog. Training focused on increasing LOVE’s comfort with dogs of various personalities and temperaments is a must. And though a backyard is great, she’ll be perfectly happy in a condo if she gets her daily exercise and enrichment.

If you’re looking for a sweet, goofy sidekick who’ll keep you laughing and loves big, LOVE might just be your perfect match!

Apply on our website 📧 or send us an email to ask any questions [email protected]

📸

01/16/2025

flying winnipeg to toronto? help get Millie to us 💞

We’re looking for a flight parent this January flying Air Canada or Westjet. The sooner the better! Millie is ready to join our foster care and start her journey to finding her furever home 🏠

Comment ✈️ or send us a direct message and we’ll send you the form to fill out.

All human travel costs are covered by yourself, which is why we try to book dogs with people who are already travelling. All dog related fees will be paid by SOS.

Please share this post to help us reach someone who can help!

Millie is a young pup who was found as a stray in northern Manitoba. Due to overpopulation in the area she was found, she is being flown to SOS to find her home in Ontario.

Millie has a foster ready to take her in, we just need a flight 💞

One more thing.. help us “Disney up” her name. Her fosters love Disney. Are there any Disney characters with names similar to Millie?! Let us know in the comments 👇🏻

01/15/2025

THIS IS WHAT ITS ABOUT!! 🥹🥹🥹

Back in December we shared a video of local shelter dogs and one of those dogs was Joy. Well, one of our followers saw it and contacted the shelter and has since ADOPTED HER! 💞

While we take dogs into our foster program when we can, we can’t take in every dog. Being able to help promote dogs sitting at shelters is another way we’ve begun helping in our community. We although don’t really hear a lot of feedback on our shares so we haven’t been able to track impact just yet. UNTIL NOW!

This was such a special message to get. We’re so happy for joy 🥹

For those who have seen Faith who we pulled from the shelter on this visit, Joy is her mom!

Faith was marked as needing to move to a rescue because she was not doing well in the kennel setting and therefore was not able to go up for adoption. Joy on the other hand was handling it well enough to be adoptable which is why we promoted her adoption through them.

We’re seriously obsessed with this news.

If you or someone you know adopts an animal that was seen promoted on our page.. please share with us!!!

Thanks to everyone who continues to view, engage and share our posts. This one that included Joy had almost 40K views and this helps with visibility.

gonna go cry now 🫶🏻

01/14/2025

dog walks will look a little brighter ☀️

Shorter daylight hours and less sunlight during the winter months have been linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Just a friendly post to tell you it’s not just you having a harder time feeling encouraged to go on dog walks. Pause. Sit with that this January. It’s not you. Many people feel this way.

If you need something to look forward to, days are slowly getting brighter and even today the sun will rise 1 minute earlier than yesterday at 7:57AM and set 1 minute later than yesterday at 5:23PM.

If you have any tips that have helped you with SAD in relation to being a dog parent, put it in the comments 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

01/13/2025

✨ new adoptable - meet Sairi ✨

Sairi is a sweet, cuddly, and playful adolescent who’s quickly adjusting to life in her foster home. She’s still a bit nervous about new situations but is brave, and her affectionate nature shines through as she gets more comfortable. Sairi loves people which includes some kids. She is a mix breed, is about 40lbs at 11 months old.

Her ideal day: Sairi thrives on structure and activity. A typical day for her includes potty breaks, walks, playtime, and naps. She’s an energetic pup who loves to run and play, especially if there’s another dog to chase. She enjoys 30+ minute walks at a brisk pace and would happily go on hikes or strolls around the neighborhood. After her walks, she’s ready for a nap, but she’ll happily play with toys or cuddle on the couch when she’s welcomed for some engagement. A great way to use her brain and bond with her is by working on skills.

Good exposure with people & dogs, Sairi has been good with kids, enjoying their company as long as they approach her calmly. But, we know that’s not always how kids exist so making sure an adult human is helping manage interactions is perf for setting her up for success. She’s also been getting along well with other dogs she’s met—she loves to run and play with them but also respects their space. She’d thrive with an active dog who enjoys play sessions, as she’s energetic and loves company.

Sairi is still building her confidence, so she needs a home that is willing to provide plenty of structure, guidance and learnings. She’s also still working on potty training and crate training, but with consistency, she’s making progress. She would do well with an adopter who is active, loves to walk or hike, and has the time to do classes and bonding activities for her development (and theirs). A family that can continue working on her confidence will be the perfect match.

Fun fact: She’s also fascinated by fabric, so if you have a soft blanket lying around, be warned—she might just nibble on them!

If you’re looking for a sweet, loving pup to become your best friend with a little time & patience, Sairi could be the perfect fit for your home!

Apply online 💞

01/12/2025

✨ new adoptable - meet Kori ✨

Kori is a spunky, intelligent, and fun natured gal looking for her family. Since arriving in October, Kori has blossomed into a playful, affectionate companion. She’s eager to please, making her an excellent fit for an adopter who can continue her growth. She’s a mixed breed, is 2 years old & weighs 45lbs.

🤠 Personality: Kori is independent and smart, with a fun-loving spirit. She loves her daily walks, playtime with tug toys, and bonding with her humans. She’s an eager learner and loves challenges. Kori can be both cautious and bousterious with new people but is learning to engage in a calm, respectful manner.

📅 Ideal Day: Kori thrives on a structured routine. A walk in the morning, followed by play + skill learning exercises, makes her a happy girl ready for some relaxation. She’s perfectly content to chill in her crate or relax while you’re busy. She loves to be involved with you when you’re free. A few play sessions and enrichment activities keep her mentally engaged and content for fun rewards.

🐱 Other Pets: Kori enjoys the company of other dogs, especially playful and confident ones. She loves chase and wrestle, but she respects boundaries well. Kori has a strong prey drive and will chase small animals, so her ideal home would have dog-savvy’s cat or no cats at all.

🐕 Skills: With guidance Kori is good with housetraining & crate-training, and walks well on leash. She knows basic commands. She is nervous around strangers but improves with positive interactions & tips that will be handed down by her handler. Kori would thrive with continued learning and structure.

🏠 Ideal Home: Kori would do best in a quieter, adult-only home with an experienced adopter. A family with another playful dog would work too.

🙊 Fun Fact: Kori is always game for a good tug-of-war session or a fun game of chase!

Kori is available for foster-to-adopt or direct adoption. Schedule an informal meet & greets with her handler to see if it’s a good fit.

📧 Email [email protected] to set that up, but tell us a little about yourself and why she’s a match for you.

Save Our Scruff

02/02/2025

02/02/2025

01/31/2025

01/31/2025

01/26/2025

01/24/2025

01/24/2025

01/23/2025

01/23/2025

01/21/2025

01/19/2025

01/18/2025

01/16/2025

01/15/2025

01/14/2025

01/13/2025

01/12/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Videos

Shortcuts

Share

Category

We help the underdog.