SMART - Siberian Malamute Alaskan Rescue Team INC.
Rescuing SMART dogs the SMART way!
20/06/2025
Come meet some of our adoptable dogs THIS SUNDAY at our smart fundraiser for SMART dogs. 🌟🎉
Click the link beside a dogs name to go directly to their personal facebook album. These albums also contain their individual bio as the album description. 🐾
THIS SUNDAY at our fundraising event, you may see some of our dogs wearing muzzles—and we want to clear the air: a muzzle does not mean a dog is aggressive.
Dogs wear muzzles for all kinds of reasons! Some are recovering from surgery and need to avoid licking wounds. Others have a habit of eating garbage, road snacks, or even… less desirable droppings 🐶💩. Some dogs feel safer wearing a muzzle in busy, unpredictable environments. And for those still working through fear or reactivity, it’s simply a SMART, preventative way to keep everyone safe—dogs included.
A properly fitted muzzle doesn’t hurt, restrict, or punish a dog. Many actually feel more confident and secure with it on. It’s a responsible choice made by loving caregivers who want the best for their pup and those around them.
So if you see a muzzled dog at the event—don’t judge, don’t fear, and please don’t approach without checking in first. Every dog is an individual, and their muzzle might just mean they’re SMART, safe, and well-loved. 💛
19/06/2025
🍪 Shadow has been busy baking but he needs backup! (and thumbs)
We’re looking for anyone who loves to bake and would be interested in donating to our SMART FUNDRAISER THIS SUNDAY! Got cookies, cupcakes, brownies, or anything delicious to share? Every treat helps raise funds for dogs in need! 💙
📦 Drop-off locations:
Barry’s Bay – before 5PM Friday
Peterborough – before Sunday
Tweed – before Sunday
London - before Saturday
Port Hope - on or before Sunday morning
🚗 We can also pick up along the 401!
We’re also looking to borrow a few tables for the event — if you’ve got one we can use, please reach out!
DM us for more info or to coordinate drop-offs and pickups.🧁🐶
We cant wait to see every one THIS SUNDAY at our SMART FUNDRAISER in PORT HOPE.
📍: 2971 Highway 28, Port Hope / Mackenzies Heating & Piggies Fries and Ice Cream Truck
⏰: 11AM - 5PM
19/06/2025
Thank-you Danny Saab (and Angela) for your donations to help finalize Comet's adoption!
We think it's safe to say Comet is pretty comfortable and happy with the news that he's officially ADOPTED!
Did you know you can sponsor any of our other dogs for anything from a $25 gift, to a full vet visit, and anything in between? Check out HTTPS://www.smartrescue.ca/support-us to sponsor a dog and a be a part of their adventure!
17/06/2025
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!
3. Montreal, QC x 3
4. La Prairie, QC
5. Thorsby, AB
6. Ste-adele, QC
7. St. Hubert, QC
9. Kamloops, BC
10. Glovertown South, NL
13. Wilmington, NY, USA
14. Saint Lazare, QC
15. Belleville, ON x2
16. Souris, PE
17. Bancroft, ON
18. Uxbridge, ON
ITEM TRANSPORTS
1. Kibble from Listowel to Peterborough
2. 2 Freezers from Kitchener to Tweed
3. Kibble from Tweed to Peterborough
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 11 dogs
Sault Ste Marie, ON x 1 dog
Orangeville, ON x 1 dog
Peterborough, ON x 1 dog
Etobicoke, ON x 1 dog
If you'd like to help out, we will connect you with the dog's caregiver to arrange a date/time 🙂
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!
16/06/2025
THIS SUNDAY!🎉
JUNE 22!🎉
S.M.A.R.T. is so excited to announce our upcoming fundraising event happening on SUNDAY JUNE 22, 2025! This is a day you won’t want to miss – we’ll have something for everyone, including:
🐕 Adoptable Dogs
🌱 A Plant Sale
🛍️ A Yard Sale
🍪 Bake Sale & Funnel Cakes
🎤 Live Entertainment
…and much more!
Let’s come together to make a difference for our furry friends in need. Your support helps us continue to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome S.M.A.R.T. dogs.
Come and meet: Everest, Beau, Aurora, Shadow, Tobi, Cara, Kiska, and Bailey!
📅 Date: Sunday June 22, 2025
📍 Location: 2971 Highway 28, Port Hope
MACKENZIE HEATING/ PIGGIES FRIES AND ICECREAM TRUCK
Spread the word and tag your friends (especially if they love Huskies 🐾)!
16/06/2025
‼️COMET FOUND HIS HERO(S) & IS OFFICIALLY ADOPTED‼️
Thank-you Danny Saab & Angela 🥰
SMART is looking for monthly sponsors for our dogs in care. The monthly cost of caring for all our dogs is astronomical and we need help.
In this new series, we will reintroduce the dogs in our care, remind you of their stories & outline the monthly cost to care for them. Sponsors will receive monthly updates with pictures, a letter and the odd thank you gift from your sponsee. 💌
All the dogs in our care are available to sponsor. Send us a DM to learn more.
NEXT UP, COMET ☄️
Comet entered our care just over a year ago after we went on an intake spree from one shelter where there were 6 known huskies up for euthanasia. On a whim, we asked "is there any more?!" After we got 6 to safety.
As it turned out, yes, there was one that was being kept hidden and written off as a "lost cause". There's no such thing in our books, and got the information on this terrified boy.
We welcomed him into care at headquarters, and had a crated transport arranged the next day. He arrived to us with NOTHING on him as he couldn't be touched. We put the crate in the truck, put up all the windows, locked the doors, and went to work coaxing him. A slip lead was put on him, and then the crate was partially taken apart to get a collar on him, along with a martingale collar and a second slip lead.
Once out of the crate, he was a totally different dog! Still scared and needed to decompress, and trying to fear bite, but it was onwards and upwards! It didn't take him too long to start opening up, and turn into the most ridiculous and fun dog! He even got away from a volunteer at an even and found his way back to us, immediately flying into the safety of a crate!
He will always be timid of new people/things, but he's come SO far!!! He went on a couple of forced-socialization trucking trips, where his rehab caused a strong bond. Since it was not a planned adoption, we are trying to get his $500 adoption fee sponsored so he can be officially adopted. We have $200 remaining to finalize his adoption.
His monthly care cost is $150 and he needs $200 more to be officially adopted. Please be a hero and help him get finalized to reduce our costs and get his happily after!
‼️VERY SPECIAL HERO NEEDED‼️
WILL YOU BE MY HERO? ⚡️
SMART is looking for monthly sponsors for our dogs in care. The monthly cost of caring for all our dogs is astronomical and we need help.
In this new series, we will reintroduce the dogs in our care, remind you of their stories & outline the monthly cost to care for them. Sponsors will receive monthly updates with pictures, a letter and the odd thank you gift from your sponsee. 💌
All the dogs in our care are available to sponsor. Send us a DM to learn more.
NEXT UP, MAVERICK 🚒
Almost 2 years ago, Maverick was a stray with no name in a shelter out of time before euthanasia. We posted for a foster, and fortunately found one. Where he has been ever since.
His foster home did extensive training and he's been a model citizen at lots of events! Unfortunately, as he needed either a single-pet home, or a home experienced with slow and careful integration with other dogs, such as his foster home, he wasn't successful in finding a home.
His life was forever changed in August 2024 when a lawn care company left the gate open at the fosters home and he escaped along with one of their owned dogs. Most unfortunately, an individual was walking their small dog on the sidewalk at the time of both huskies being out.
As most huskies do, prey drive and pack mentality over-took both dogs and the little dog was severely injured in the tag-team attack, and later succumbed to the injuries after the $15000 surgery. Natural instincts DO NOT make either dog dangerous. Yet, here we are, after a year of court dealing with the province.
After a lot of back and forth, the province agreed to drop the $10000 fine and destruction order on Maverick, but the entire time, they have been adamant with the illogical requirement that Maverick can never be rehomed.
This is 100% illogical and opposite of any other dog we've dealt with over the years that was accused of (or guilty of) killing cats/small dogs in their previous homes. Every other dog had a rehoming/leaving jurisdiction requirement. Not Maverick. Make it make sense 🤦.
Nevertheless, it's the best possible outcome for Maverick in his unfortunate situation. Unfortunately for the dozens of dogs that could potentially pass through his spot in rescue care for the next 12 years of his life, they won't have that opportunity thanks to a flawed justice system. Maverick came first and must be put first.
Maverick's monthly cost of care is $120. In addition, we still owe $12000 on the vet bill, and a $300 dangerous dog tag registration annually. We also hope someone would sponsor his $500 adoption fee so he can be officially adopted by SMART. Although he’s worth every penny, a sponsor would REALLY be a hero to him, and us.
MAVERICK’S GO FUND ME
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://www.gofundme.com/f/mavericks-unfortunate-situation
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Sparky, (the small dog in the altercation) was cremated. His cremated remains have been returned home and his owners have stopped communication with us. However, we still have over $11,000 to pay off from Sparks’s vet bill. Thank you so much to those that have donated already. It is a huge help!!
11/06/2025
WILL YOU BE MY HERO? ⚡️
SMART is looking for monthly sponsors for our dogs in care. The monthly cost of caring for all our dogs is astronomical and we need help.
In this new series, we will reintroduce the dogs in our care, remind you of their stories & outline the monthly cost to care for them. Sponsors will receive monthly updates with pictures, a letter and the odd thank you gift from your sponsee. 💌
All the dogs in our care are available to sponsor. Send us a DM to learn more.
NEXT UP, MIKA 👯♀️
Mika was surrendered to a partner shelter after having several owners, all of which she bit. All of the bites were for different reasons. The shelter was going to euthanize her unless we helped her.
Mika was fortunate to find a foster willing to take her on and work with her. She bit a couple more times while figuring out her triggers. Mika ended up being adopted and spending almost 4 years in this home.
Unfortunately, she fell victim to homelessness and lack of funds to care for her. Mainly due to a domestic situation between her people. She was not returned to us, but rather, contract was breached and she was given to a good Samaritan.
Bailey (her adopted sister) wasn't getting along with the resident dog, and the good Samaritan reached out, and when we mentioned Mika, he said he had her as well and that she'd bitten him. Her history wasn't disclosed by the adopter that gave her to him, but when we shared her history with him, he was willing to have her return to care. The good Samaritan even drove a couple of hours to meet up with a transport volunteer to get her back to us (along with Bailey).
Mika has been back with us since early December, and hasn't received one single application 😞 she isnt a typical placement. She's a lot like our late Tessa (from the same city, too, and same traits, so could actually be related). She's a "hands-off" dog, just happy to share your space without being fondled.
Mika's monthly care cost is $90 (60 food, $30 boarding). Her adoption fee is $500, but discounted if adopted with Bailey. Be a hero and sponsor Mika!
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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 didn’t have the typical ‘husky look’ 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 hadn’t 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 “break”, 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 don’t 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?
