SMART - Siberian Malamute Alaskan Rescue Team INC.
Rescuing SMART dogs the SMART way!
26/12/2025
URGENT HELPING PAWS NEEDED!
HOME VISITS are an easy way to help us out, and allow us to further assess the proposed environment for our dogs. They take about 30 minutes of your time (unless you choose to spend more time chatting and building a potential new friendship!)
We have several that need to be done currently. Send us a message if you're able to help out!
1. Thorsby, AB
2. Kamloops, BC
3. Glovertown South, NL
4. Wilmington, NY, USA
5. Bancroft, ON
10. Wasaga Beach, ON
11. Toronto, ON (Mount Pleasant)
13. Fergus, ON
ITEM TRANSPORTS
2. 2 Freezers from Kitchener to Tweed
3. Crates from Coldwater to Tweed
9. Several items from Cornwall to Tweed
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Photographers needed for adoption boosts! If you are a photographer or budding photographer in the following locations and willing to donate your time and expertise to help available dogs in need, please let us know!
Warren, ON x 1 dog
Tweed, ON X 9 dogs
Tottenham, ON x 1 dog
Peterborough, ON x 2 dogs
Etobicoke, ON x 1 dog
Ottawa, ON x 2 dogs
If you'd like to help out, we will connect you with the dog's caregiver to arrange a date/time đ
TEAM MEMBERS are also NEEDED! If you would like to join our team, please message us! We need area representatives big time! https://www.facebook.com/smartdogsrescue/posts/662465472564294 Social media managers (facebook and instagram), Public and Business Outreach officers are also needed!
23/12/2025
Woohoo, wishlist contributions! Thank you so so much Lynette Tink! Did you know, lots of items on our list (like Purina food) is on sale right now?
We're almost sold out!!! (Other than smalls). Where are all the small dog lovers at? We have 40 small dog boxes available (dogs up to 30lbs). $20 each!
Also, 3 large boxes left (60+ lbs dogs) - $30 each.
And 8 medium boxes left (30-60lb dogs). -$25 each
Get your last minute gifts for the dogs on your life today or tomorrow! Pick up locations in Peterborough (26 small, 2 large, 4 medium), Tweed (14 small, 1 large, 3 medium) or Odessa (2 mediums not pictured)
23/12/2025
Are you unsure what to get your favorite rescue for Christmas? Donate, Foster, or Adopt!
To foster or adopt: https:www.smartrescue.ca/application
Thank you for your support! Merry Christmas!
23/12/2025
Kali update from her adopter!
Kali is living her best life! She just celebrated her 9th birthday, but most days she still acts like a puppy. She is doing so well and I am so proud of how far she has come. Her silly personality keeps us laughing everyday. She is as special as they come and we are so grateful to have her in our lives.
23/12/2025
Beau is the most handsome, sweetest ham there ever way... yet not one single application in 1.5 years! Why? Just why? We don't understand why no one wants this sweetheart!
22/12/2025
2 more dogs in need of fosters. Shelter is nearing capacity and has kept them as long as they can. Can we get them out this week? We can't save them without somewhere for them to go.
Adoption fees are $500 when ready after 2 weeks in foster care. Fosters must sign contracts and waivers prior to placements. Dogs are transported to fosters - fosters are not permitted to pick up at the shelter. ONTARIO homes please.
21/12/2025
PERFECTLY IMPERFECT! A dog that is overlooked because they don't check all the boxes. But, they check enough boxes to be a perfect match for a home with the same boxes! Next up... Beau!
Perfect for:
Homes with kids
Homes with dogs
Not perfect for:
Homes with cats
Homes with long working hours
Beau is so absolutely perfect that we do not understand why he has not had any adoption interest! An absolute sweetheart with humans of all ages and sizes that melts all hearts of anyone that meets him! The king of belly rubs! He's also great with dogs, so why, oh why, doesn't he get any applications in over a year?! Beau was originally surrendered in 2024 to save him from needing euthanasia by his owner due to circumstances beyond control.
Name: Beau
Breed: Siberian Husky mix
S*x: Male
Age: 3.5 years
Cats: No
Dogs: Yes
Kids: Yes
Hi there, my name is Beau and I am 3.5 years old. I am here seeking a home where someone is home more often than not. I need a fenced in yard please as I am an escape artist and have previously been hit by a car (thankfully, I am ok!). I am very fast!
I am a pretty typical husky! I am very smart, and am not overly treat motivated and can be a picky eater as well. I do know some basic commands, such as stay and my recall. I donât pull too hard on the leash, but there is still room for improvement. Being a smart boy though, it should be fairly easy to train me once you figure out ways to work around my intelligence and stubbornness, like squeaky balls to get my attention! I would love to learn under your guidance, and possibly the guidance of a trainer.
I am house-trained. My former 3 sisters and I did not share food bowls, so I have shown some resource guarding with other dogs when food and toys are around. I do like to dig holes when I am outside, and am destructive if left alone inside the house and not in a crate. Unfortunately, I am also destructive of my crate and need a secure crate. I was said to be crate-trained previously, so perhaps it is because I went from having siblings to being a single-pet that has caused crate destruction and not liking being alone at all. Perhaps a dog for company would help!
I did live with 3 female dogs, and have met and played with some male dogs. A meet and greet would be required with any prospective new family pets to ensure we get along. Please, no cats. I lived with children and am good with them, so I can be with children! I like to chase rabbits outside and while I can be called off well, it is still prey drive and would not be recommended with cats.
I am very affectionate and will keep begging you for belly rubs as I love those! I could be described as a velcro dog as I want to always be with my human! I am very cuddly as well. I really love being in the company of others, and seem to not do well being entirely alone, even for short durations. I am hoping if I can either find a home with someone home all the time, a home with a dog companion, or a home that will be able to leave me secured outside during the day so that I do not destroy the home. I do love being outside as well!
I am neutered and microchipped. I am ready to go home with you!
⢠Located in Peterborough, ON â $500 adoption fee
⢠In foster - needs foster or adopter
⢠Looking for a home since July 2024.
To inquire on adopting Beau, please fill out an application on our website smartrescue.ca or email [email protected]. A home visit, phone interview, and application will be required. To sponsor Beau, please submit our sponsorship form at: https://form.jotform.com/82658461523259
20/12/2025
PERFECTLY IMPERFECT. A dog that is overlooked because they don't check all of the boxes, but they check enough boxes to be perfect for a home with matching boxes! Next up... Sugar!
Perfect for:
Moderate energy homes
Homes with older kids
Not perfect for:
Homes with cats
Homes with other dogs
Sugar is an ABSOLUTE SWEETHEART with all humans!!! She is gentle with the littles, and she is loving and affectionate with all humans! She isn't even super high energy! She is selective of other dogs as she is dominant. With the right person and dogs, she could be trained to co-habit. She is a vocal girl and is completely crate trained, but is also not destructive in the home. A bit of a picky eater, she is best with a raw diet. She was saved from euthanasia in 2025 due to being a stray.
Name: Sugar
Breed: Siberian Husky mix
S*x: Female
Age: 2 Years
Dogs: No
Cats:No
Kids: Yes
Hi there, my name is Sugar. I didnât have a name when I arrived as a stray, but I am full of kisses and affectionate, so after a few days nameless, I was given a name. I am estimated to be around 2 years old, but it is just a guess being a stray.
If you love being outside, I am your girl! I rarely want to come in, but when I do, it's to cuddle. Inside, I am very relaxed. Don't let that fool you, though. I am still full of puppy energy and want to play with my humans. I am not a fan of other dogs, but I love kids and am very gentle with them, including infants. Just please do not try to pick me up or restrain me as I do not like this and will use my mouth to tell you.
The ideal home for me would be a young, active family that loves to go for walks but doesn't have any other pets. I know a few simple commands, such as sit, gentle, and stop. I am working on down and come. When I am nervous, I don't like to leave my crate, and I can be pretty stubborn, so you won't be able to get me out unless I decide to. Leaving the room seems to calm me enough to come out. Once I am out, I like to go for a morning walk. I do pull, but that could be worked on with further training.
I like to serenade you in the morning to say hello after a good night's rest from my crate. I take my morning dental treat very gently. I can be a bit picky with my food, but I do eventually eat it. I am fully crate and house trained.
With other dogs, I am hit and miss. I do resource guard as well, and I think I might be jealous of sharing the affection. I can likely learn to exist with other dogs in time and with training, but right now, I have to be separated from the dogs in my foster home. Please, no cats. I am very intent when I see a cat.
I am a fence jumper, so I go outside on a tether and do great with this arrangement. I could also live in attached housing with enough walks and outside adventure time. I mainly just want to be with my people and showering them in love and affection!
I am up to date on my dhpp vaccination and microchipped. My spay is booked January 14 in Hamilton, along with my rabies vaccination.
⢠Located in Tweed, ON â $500 adoption fee
⢠In boarding- needs foster or adopter
⢠Looking for a home since August 2025
To inquire on adopting Sugar, please fill out an application on our website smartrescue.ca or email [email protected]. A home visit, phone interview, and application will be required. To sponsor Sugar, please submit our sponsorship form at: https://form.jotform.com/82658461523259
19/12/2025
PERFECTLY IMPERFECT. A dog that is overlooked because they don't check all the boxes, however, they check enough boxes to be perfect for homes with the same boxes! Next up... Mika
Perfect for:
Hands-off home
Quiet home
Homes with dogs
Not perfect for:
Homes with kids
Coddly homes
Homes with cats
Mika is a lot like our late Tessa (she may even be related as they are both originally from the same area, have a similar coat texture, and share behaviour traits). She doesn't like to be handled by the collar (or just in general). She is quite happy to just exist in the home without much interaction. While Mika has resource guarding with humans, she is submissive with other dogs. She will only defend herself enough to retreat, and will let the other dog eat her food. Mika is perfect for an "old school" home as "the dog". Mika was originally saved from euthanasia in 2021 due to her behavioural surrender to a humane society.
Name: Mika
Breed: Siberian Husky Mix
S*x: Female
Age: 6.5 Years
Dogs: Yes
Cats: Maybe - see description
Kids: No
Hello Everyone! My name is Mika, and I am back through no fault of my own. I was originally adopted in 2021, and am now roughly 6.5 years old. I am not overly energetic, so can fit into any activity level experienced home. I have even lived in an apartment, so I can live in any type of home as well!
I am a calm and passive girl, however, I do have an extensive bite history in the past. I went through several homes before I was surrendered to the shelter, and bit in each one of these homes. Most of my bites stem around restraint/rough handling; especially around my neck. I have grumbled at my foster mom over leashing/unleashing, but have not bitten her as of yet. While I have gotten a lot better about it, the risk is still there, so I need someone experienced please!
I get along great with other dogs and am very submissive with them. If someone tries to take my food, I will pretty much just walk away. I do enjoy being with Bailey, just not at meal times. I would be totally fine being in a home without her!
I was living with a cat in my previous adoptive home, however, I am favoring chasing the cats in my current foster home. It doesnât appear that I want to harm them, so I might be able to live with a cat as long as there is constant supervision or separation. Please, absolutely no children due to my extensive bite history.
Despite living in an apartment, it appears I am not house trained. It shouldnât take much to train me, though, once I am settled in and comfortable with yard access or lots of walks. I am not crate trained, but am not destructive left alone in the house. I have no escape desire through or over a fence, either, which is a big bonus. I would take the opportunity though an open door, though.
A submissive dog without resource guarding would be a good placement for me as well as a quiet home. If I am adopted with Bailey, then we need to be the only 2 pets in the home as Bailey is too dominant with other dogs to live amicably. It took our adopter a lot of work to get us to live together.
I am spayed and microchipped. I am ready to go home with you!
⢠Located in Tweed, ON â $500 adoption fee - $250 if adopted with Bailey (for both dogs)
⢠In boarding - needs foster or adopter
⢠Looking for a home since November 2024.
To inquire on adopting Mika, please fill out an application on our website smartrescue.ca or email [email protected]. A home visit, phone interview, and application will be required. To sponsor Mika, please submit our sponsorship form at: https://form.jotform.com/82658461523259
19/12/2025
Woohoo, wishlist contributions! Thank you Janice Murray! Pigs ears are a nice chew for the dogs!
PERFECTLY IMPERFECT. A dog that is overlooked because they don't check all the boxes, but check enough boxes to be perfect for people that have homes that check the boxes! Next up... Bailey!
Perfect for:
Homes without fences (Apartment or tether-use)
Homes with kids
Not perfect for:
Homes with other dogs
Homes with cats
Bailey is an absolute sweetheart with humans, and is good with dogs when not in her home! Due to jealousy and resource guarding with other dogs, she is best living as a solo girl - but that does not mean she cannot socialize with other dogs in public (provided they're not small dogs)! She also CAN live with other dogs with diligent owners (she has a friend, Mika) that will take the necessary precautions to not have resources around and feed separated! As an avid fence jumper, she is best in an apartment (which she has lived in successfully before) or the use of a tether when outside is a must. Since her return a year ago, she has not have one ounce of interest :( She was originally an owner-surrender in 2022.
Name: Bailey
Breed: Siberian Husky Mix
S*x: Female
Age: 5.5 Years
Dogs: Yes - selective
Cats: No
Kids: Yes, older
Hello Everyone! My name is Bailey, and I am back through no fault of my own. I was originally adopted in 2022, and am now roughly 5.5 years old. Iam here seeking a moderately active forever home. I have even lived in an apartment, so I can live in any type of home as well! I do get a bit vocal and join into serenades, but it isnât over the top. As long as other tenants donât mind a bit of noise on a rare occasion, then attached housing is fine!
I am a very friendly girl that absolutely loves to get attention and give kisses! I do like to jump up and âpunchâ with my front paws, so a home with older children that are more stable on their feet is best. I was living with a cat in my previous adoptive home, however, I am favoring chasing the cats in my current foster home. It does appear that I want to harm them, so I would be best as only princess in the home!
Despite living in an apartment, it appears I am not house trained. It shouldnât take much to train me, though, once I am settled in and comfortable with yard access or lots of walks. I am not crate trained, but am not destructive left alone in the house. I am ok in crates at events, so will probably adjust to being in a crate at home too! I don't dig, but boy do I jump! Clear over a 5ft fence, on multiple occasions. I need a taller fence, to be on leash walks only, or on a tether please.
I would do very well as a single pet due to my dominance and resource guarding. If I am adopted with Mika, then you would be able to have 2 pets in the home as opposed to me as a single princess. It took our adopter a lot of work to get us to live together. We would be totally fine going to separate homes as well! I can also get jealous when I have to share attention and affection, so that causes altercations with other dogs as well. I very much want all of the available attention in any form, but particularly with head, butt, and belly scratches!
My resource guarding is mainly with other dogs, and I do not have any bite history with humans. I do get into altercations with other dogs even when food is not involved, but food is definitely the main issue. As I did learn to live with Mika, with the right companion and the right human, I might be able to co-habit with another dog. I do like to peruse the edible things on the counter, but will respond when told not to take my findings. I am a bit taller, so I canât help it.
I am spayed and microchipped. I am ready to go home with you!
⢠Located in Tweed, ON â $500 adoption fee - $250 if adopted with Mika (for both dogs)
⢠In boarding - needs foster or adopter
⢠Looking for a home since November 2024.
To inquire on adopting Bailey, please fill out an application on our website smartrescue.ca or email [email protected]. A home visit, phone interview, and application will be required. To sponsor Bailey, please submit our sponsorship form at: https://form.jotform.com/82658461523259
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SMART
I, Melissa Van Grootel, started out in rescue in 2009. Initially, I was a cross-poster and had an archived list of every husky/malamute/alaskan I could find on pet finder, adoptapet, petharbour, and various other places for people to be able to see them all in one place. From cross-posting, I moved to arranging transports for various rescues and individuals until 2 groups took over the transport network and took the rescue world by storm with their amazing abilities. Near the end of my reign as a transport coordinator, I started fostering. Fostering started as overnighting dogs who were on transport, and moved to when my rescue life really began.
In August, 2014, almost a year after moving to the country, I took on 11 Alaskan Huskies as foster dogs for a rescue group. 11 dogs at once in addition to my then 8 seemed like a lot of work at first. Little did I know, those Alaskan Huskies would be difficult to adopt out as they were all retired sled dogs and didnât have the typical âhusky lookâ that is so sought after. The first of that batch of foster dogs was not adopted until a little over 4 months of them arriving, and the last of them were transferred to other rescues, with a few adoptions in there, after almost 8 months.
Immediately after that batch left, I stepped into action to assist a fellow musher in doing a drastic downsizing in 2014/2015. In this particular case, the majority of the dogs stayed with the owner until they were adopted. I posted the photos and wrote the bios for each dog, and every applicant went through the adoption process. Only, instead of me making the decision where dogs go, the owner made that call. Each dog was adopted on a contract that required dogs be returned to the owner if things did not work out.
As I was finishing up that mission, and struggling to rehome the last couple of dogs, Alaskan Huskies once again, I was approached by a rescue which hadnât operated in years, in March 2016. If I accepted the offer to run that rescue as I was already running mine, it would allow doors to open having an official name, and funding would be an option, should I accept the offer. I accepted the offer, and ran that rescue successfully until June 2018 when circumstances beyond control caused a break-up.
I took a couple of month âbreakâ, but still networked dogs and took in returned dogs as per contract. At the end of August, I was alerted to a super sweet girl in a shelter that needed help, and I decided I was ready to start up again. I pulled her with the assistance of another rescue, got her into foster-to-adopt, and so began my brand new rescue all over again.
I pondered for awhile on a name, and operated under my kennel name for the time being, until a name finally popped into my head. SMART. Siberian Malamute Alaskan Rescue Team. Why SMART? Well, There are never enough Siberian Rescues in Canada. There is only one other Malamute rescue in Ontario, and there is NO Alaskan Husky Rescue in Ontario. These three breeds are not the easiest to adopt and typically all-breed rescues and shelters donât fully understand them. These three breeds are also super SMART. Two meanings in one! SMART dogs being rescued the SMART way.
Here at SMART, we assist owners who can keep their dogs with them until a home is found, we also do shelter intakes based on foster availability and suitability for each dog, and we crosspost for other rescues/shelters. We list dogs across North America, and can do physical intakes from Ontario, Michigan (extreme North only), Wisconsin, North Dakota, Montana, northern Idaho, Nebraska, Oregon and Washington at this time. Adopters/surrenders must meet transport along this corridor at the date/time set out by transport, regardless of day or night. We also provide education, not just on the differences between the three breeds and how to keep them, but even on general dog-related issues. We attend various events all year long and are happy to spread our wealth of knowledge with you. How can we assist you?
