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Toronto Animal Services

TAS manages the care of stray animals, pet adoptions, emergency response & provides community support
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24/01/2025

Has anyone seen a coyote yet this winter?

It’s normal to see them at this time of year, especially near parks and ravines, as fewer leaves are on the trees. If you see a coyote, please keep a safe distance and ensure your dog is leashed and close to you.

Here’s some advice from our Toronto Animal Services Team about what to do when you encounter a coyote:

Do:
✅ Maintain eye contact with the coyote.
✅ If you have a small dog, pick it up. If it’s big, keep the leash short and move to a busier area
✅ Get big and loud: Jump up and down, wave your arms, yell “Go away coyote!”

Do Not:
🚫 Try to touch or feed the coyote.
🚫Let your dog run up to the coyote.
🚫Run away. Instead, maintain eye contact and make some noise to scare it away.

Remember, coyotes are an important part of Toronto’s ecosystem, so let’s learn to live peacefully with them.

Want more tips? Find them here: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/animals-pets/wildlife-in-the-city/coyotes/

23/01/2025

Here's a new one...

We recently had to find a new home for a caiman that was being kept in Toronto! Caimans are reptiles who are part of the same family as alligators, although usually much smaller in comparison. Caimans and other Crocodylia, such as crocodiles and alligators are (perhaps unsurprisingly) prohibited in Toronto. Because of this, it's not every day we get a call for a caiman!

Thankfully, our team were able to find this guy a much more suitable home at a reptile sanctuary. While this story ended well for the caiman, it’s important to know which animals are prohibited in Toronto — for their safety and ours.

Some prohibited species are more obvious than others (such as kangaroos and elephants), but other prohibited animals we’ve come across include ducks, skunks, and raccoons. Do you know which animals are NOT allowed in the City? Check out the full list of prohibited animals at www.toronto.ca/prohibited-animals

22/01/2025

Oop. Looks like the secret's out...
..It's true, this beautiful kitty is looking for a home!

Meet Pretzel, a 3-year-old tabby with an incredible story of resilience! This poor girl was found injured on the side of the road and was taken to a clinic by a good Samaritan. Her injuries included a large wound on her right hind leg, which required several days of wound management until it could be surgically closed. Thanks to her treatment, the care of her foster family and a lot of determination on her part, Pretzel has made an AMAZING recovery and is now ready to find her forever home!

Pretzel is an absolute cuddle bug who would thrive in a quiet home where she can be the star of the show as the only pet. She LOVES spending time with her people, whether it's eating, playing, or curling up for a cozy nap. Her favourite activities include chasing feather toys and, of course, enjoying any treat that comes her way (she hasn’t turned one down yet!)

Pretzel is gentle, easy-going, and chock-full of charm. She’s happiest when she’s by your side, often rolling around in delight to show just how content she is. If you’re looking for a devoted companion to share your life and your couch, Pretzel could be your perfect match! Visit www.toronto.ca/adoptapet or call our East region shelter at (416) 338-PAWS (7297) to learn more about Pretzel!

22/01/2025

Every year around this time, we get an increase of people letting us know about coyote sightings. Coyotes are an important part of our ecosystem as they help control our rodent and rabbit populations. But with no leaves on the trees, we tend to see them a bit more during winter.

A few facts about coyotes:
🐈 Coyotes are timid in nature so they generally do not pose a danger to people, but they can for pets (so keep pets supervised if you let them out).
🌔 They are particularly active at dusk and dawn.
🏘️ Coyotes thrive in urban areas because of the abundance of food and shelter available. coyotes will take whatever food is available. (But please, don’t feed them!)
💘Coyote mating season is January to March so we may see them more during this time.
🦮Most encounters with coyotes occur when people leave out food and garbage intentionally or by accident.

Coyotes and dogs may have negative encounters if people have their dogs off leash, causing a coyote to defend itself and its young. This is why it’s important to keep your dog on a leash when you’re not in an off-leash area.

For more about coyotes and how to keep safe visit: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/animals-pets/wildlife-in-the-city/coyotes/

20/01/2025

Do you know what coyotes are up to in the winter?

You may see more coyotes around during the winter months, but that’s not because they have multiplied. You can just see more coyotes without the lush foliage that the other seasons provide for their shelter. As well, it’s mating season! We all love to see baby animals in the spring and this is when mating season happens, between January and March. This makes coyotes more active and visible in our neighbourhoods.

Want to know more about coyotes in Toronto? You can read more and take our eLearning module at toronto.ca/coyotes

17/01/2025

Today we're celebrating Betty White Day!

January 17 is Betty White's birthday, which has come to be known simply as “Betty White Day”. Today would have been her 103rd, but sadly, White passed away at the end of 2021. However, her incredible legacy lives on.

While Betty White's television career made us laugh, cry, and smile, her work off-screen was just as passionate. Betty White was a champion of animal welfare, and her love and devotion to the lives of animals led to her being affectionately deemed “The Ambassador for Animals”.

Betty White was also a fan of TAS! While in Toronto, Betty White paid our shelter a visit. She thanked us for our work caring and supporting Toronto's animals (as well as giving us this signed photo!) As part of her legacy, we’re calling on all animal lovers to participate in the and make a donation in her memory. 100% of donations go directly towards benefitting the animals in our care. If you love Betty White and what she stood for in the fight to protect the welfare of animals, consider making a donation today!

Donate at: www.toronto.ca/HelpTheAnimals

16/01/2025

PetSmart Charities of Canada is thrilled to share a heartwarming story made possible by grant funding aimed at increasing access to veterinary care, and our partnership with Toronto Animal Services! Toronto Animal Services recently hosted a wellness clinic for pet parents in their community, where they met Buddy, a Bichon Frisé/Shih Tzu mix.

Buddy received much-needed veterinary care during the event. His family, who had struggled with vet bills, was able to get his needs met through the help of the clinic. Buddy is now thriving, and his family couldn’t be happier.

Stories like these are possible thanks to supporters who donate to PetSmart Charities of Canada at the PetSmart registers, or online. This support helps increase access to veterinary care for pets like Buddy every day! Visit the link in bio to help make more stories like this a reality for pets and their families. 🐾

16/01/2025

The holidays may be over, but our shelter animals are still having a blast with their presents and treats!

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust visited our East shelter over the holidays and brought along a ton of gifts for our animals! Their office staff were busy collecting toys, treats and other items from our wish list and making a HUGE donation of goodies to the animals in our care! Thank you so much to RioCan for the wonderful gift to some deserving animals.
Lawrence Allen Centre

15/01/2025

Life moves pretty fast.

Sometimes, you need a partner to help you keep up the pace. And when full throttle isn't enough... you've got to switch to the Turbo!

Meet Turbo, a 2-year-old Australian Kelpie mix with enough energy to tackle anything life throws your way! This handsome little guy is READY and SET to GO out of the shelter and ZOOM into his new forever home!

Turbo's a bright, happy charmer of a dog who loves to keep his body and brain busy. He absolutely THRIVES on physical and mental challenges. Combine that with a love for learning and an eagerness to please... and you've got a dog who's ready to master any training you can offer! With the right guidance, Turbo will be pulling off tricks faster than you can say "adopted!"

Speaking of adopted... (I'm sure you can see where this is going) book your meet and greet with Turbo, today! Call our East region shelter at 416-338-7297 (PAWS) to schedule an appointment, or read his bio at toronto.ca/adoptapet to learn more about Turbo!

14/01/2025

Give 'em an inch, they'll take a mile. Give 'em a Grinch...

He'll make you smile! 😉

Meet Grinch, a 2-year-7-month-old Maine C**n mix with a BIG heart and even bigger personality!

Grinch is a stunning orange tabby with a larger-than-life presence. Unlike his (in)famous namesake, Grinch didn’t need his heart to grow—he’s always been overflowing with love! Now this affectionate, playful ham (or should we say roast beast?) is ready to find his perfect match.

Grinch is a lovable, friendly boy with a spunky, opinionated side. While he adores attention and scritches, he’ll let you know when he’s had enough. One thing's for sure, this chatty tabby isn't afraid to express himself! Grinch also loves to roam; we believe he spent time outdoors prior to being in our care, so he'll need a big space so he can explore.

Maine C**n mixes are known for their intelligence, charm, and big hearts, and no one embodies this more than Grinch! If you’re ready for a cat with personality, charisma, and plenty of love to give, Grinch is waiting to meet you. Call our East region shelter at (416) 338-PAWS (7297) or visit www.toronto.ca/adoptapet to learn more.

13/01/2025

She puts the "catch" in eye-catching, the "fetch" in fetching - it's Paisley!

Meet Paisley, the charming 1-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback with a delightful temperament. This sweetheart has been described as "medium" energy... which makes her the best of both worlds! Her more active side loves to play, explore, and accompany you on outdoor adventures, while her calm demeanor makes her happy to relax, kick-back, and spend some quality time with her favorite humans.

Paisley has been very well-behaved while in our care. She's (mostly) housebroken and has been generally quiet while in her kennel. She's also super friendly and sociable! She gets along great with others and loves to make new friends, both people and pup alike!

If you have a dog currently, bring them to the meet and greet to see if they hit it off with Paisley. To adopt Paisley, call our North region shelter at (416) 338-PAWS (7297) or visit toronto.ca/adoptapet to learn more.

10/01/2025

Think getting old is tough? Not for Lydia! We love her and you will too! She’s hoping for a retirement home that will let her Netflix and chill with a sprinkle of playtime in too! She wants to love allll the humans so a home to call her very own without other animals would be ideal for her. She’s greedy and wants you all to herself! Adopt her or share her, either way you’re helping her find her forever family and giving her a chance at the life she deserves! Call 416-338-PAWS to speak to our West shelter staff to find out more!

08/01/2025

Some important information about our bat friends!

06/01/2025

Psst. Hey Toronto. You may know that dogs and cats are required to be licensed with the City, but did you know licensing your pet comes with some GREAT perks?

Licensing fees directly support the animals in our care, including veterinary services, enrichment, spay/neuter services, community programs and more. But pet licences benefit you too! Licences ensure that lost pets can be identified and returned home safely. New licensees are also automatically enrolled in our BluePaw program, offering discounts to tons of Toronto vendors! From dog walking to daycares, pet food and toys, vets and hospitals - even pet photography, BluePaw has something for every pet owner.

Want to know more about our BluePaw program and all it offers? Check out toronto.ca/bluepaw-partners to see all the BluePaw benefits. Does your pet need a license? With DocuPet, it’s never been easier! Visit toronto.ca/pet-licensing to learn more on licensing your pet.

02/01/2025

What better way to start the new year than with an adoption success story!

This story features Thelma, 2-year-old American Bulldog mix and former resident of our North shelter. Thelma’s family sent us an update along with some adorable photos. Here’s what they had to say:

“We looked long and hard for a dog just like Thelma. My husband has leukemia, and we thought it would be good for him to have a companion. So, I kept an eye on your page for the right connection. Her picture got me first - she has a very sweet face! I have a lot of experience in the dog world (having been an obedience trainer for about 7 years) so I knew well what I was looking for. After about 2 weeks, she rolled over and gave me her belly - I knew then we made the right choice.

Since then, she’s been doing really well! She has some new doggy friends that live behind us. Our neighbors just got 2 young puppies; Thelma has been playing surrogate mother to them and is a playmate to a 13-year-old Great Pyrenees. They all play well together, and she is teaching the puppies good play things.

Let’s face it - she is very sweet and her face melts my heart. We’re still working on the crate training, but she is really good on leash and has learned “leave it” and “wait”. She’s not much of a barker and travels well in the car. We honestly could not have custom designed a better dog then our girl Thelma and cannot even imagine life with out her.”

Huge thanks to Thelma’s family for the great update and photos! We’re so happy to see Thelma is thriving with her new family (and new doggy friends!)

If you’d like to make your own happy adoption story, it all starts with an adoptable animal! Visit toronto.ca/adoptapet to see all of the animals looking for their new forever families.

31/12/2024

Happy New Year from Toronto Animal Services!

With celebrations come fireworks! But for some pets, flashing lights and loud sounds can be very scary! However, there are ways to help your furry friends. Here are some tips to ease firework stress in pets:

1) Make sure your pet has a safe space. Give your pet a room without windows or one where windows can be covered. Pet beds, kennels or a favorite blanket can help soothe pets or give them a place to hide.

2) Consider a distraction. If your pet seems anxious, have some tasty treats or a new toy to entertain them. For some pets, soft, calm music can help them ignore the noise outside.

3) A scared pet may try to escape from your home, even if they’ve never done so before. Keep doors and windows closed, and make sure your pets are licensed, microchipped, and your contact information is up to date. That way if they do escape, you can have them returned as safe and quickly as possible.

Find more about licensing your pet, check out at toronto.ca/pet-licensing/

27/12/2024

TAS wishes everyone - pets included - a safe and happy holiday season!

One of the best ways to keep pets safe during the holidays is to be aware of potential hazards. Here are a few safety tips and reminders so everyone can stay happy and healthy!

* Holly, mistletoe, ivy and poinsettias are beautiful festive plants, but they can be harmful to pets if ingested. Keep unsafe plants away from pets (or opt for a pet-safe alternative). The same goes for pine needles from Christmas trees - clean up fallen leaves, limbs or needles so pets can’t eat them!

* Some pets love the cozy glow that candles bring to a room. Keep your candles on a flat, stable surface to ensure they’re not knocked over.

* Ribbons, tinsel, and bows can look like an attractive treat to pets (especially kitties), but they can be harmful if ingested. Consider using other twinkly decorations or keeping them out of reach.

* Pets love a decorated Christmas tree as much as people (maybe even more!) However, they may see wires, lights, and ornaments as treats and toys. Ensure they’re out of reach and that your tree is anchored to keep it from being toppled over. Don’t forget to cover the water base of a Christmas tree - it may contain chemicals that are dangerous if ingested.

* Keep the table scraps to a minimum, there are many foods that can be harmful to pets or upset their tummies, keep some of their favourite pet treats on hand for your guests to share if they must!

* If your pet isn’t the social type, keep an empty room for them to retreat to before inviting guests over. A dark room with a bowl of fresh water and a place to rest (like your pets’ carrier) can keep shy pets feeling safe if the holiday commotion makes them feel uneasy.

Here’s to a holiday free of stress for you and your pets!

24/12/2024

Our BIG DOGS = BIG HEARTS campaign ends TODAY!

We want to give a huge thank-you to everyone who supported our campaign, either by adopting a big dog, donating to big dogs in our care, or sharing our message.

The message behind BIG DOGS = BIG HEARTS was simple: on average, large breed dogs have longer shelter stays than other breeds… but big dogs still have a lot of love to give. And no one exemplifies this more than the big dog featured in today’s success story!
‘
You may remember Rooney, a 3-year-old German Shepherd who may have the unfortunate distinction of staying in our shelter longer than any other dog. Rooney was in our care for a YEAR. However, Rooney’s story has the happiest of happy endings - she recently celebrated her 2 year adoptiversary! Here’s what her family had to say:

“It’s been 2 years since I brought Rooney home, and we went to a private dog park to celebrate! While Rooney settled into her actual home very quickly, the adjustment to city living has been slower. However, her training and behaviour have come a very long way since Day 1! Now she’s actually happy and excited to be outside.

Rooney is a very gentle, cooperative and affectionate baby. She looooooves to snuggle more than anything. She always wants to be near you (or on you) getting scritches and giving kisses. She would be a lap dog if she weren’t 85 pounds!

Rooney’s a very silly girl who loves to make you laugh. She’s also very clever - she loves to do sniff work and is a master at puzzles. She even recently started putting her toys away in her toybox when she’s done playing with them. Also, she learned to swim this past summer!

We’ve built a lot of trust between us in the last two years - she’s come a long way and I am so proud of her. It absolutely destroys me that she sat in a shelter for so long, when this dog has so much love to give. I am so, so grateful that she came into my life"

What a perfect feel-good story for the holiday season. Thank you to Rooney's family for this incredible update! If you're inspired to make your own big dog success story, visit toronto.ca/adoptapet to see the big dogs looking for homes!

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Wednesday	10:30 - 18:30
Thursday	10:30 - 18:30
Friday	10:30 - 18:30
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Sunday	10:30 - 18:30

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http://www.toronto.ca/community-people/animals-pets/adopt-a-pet/

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Meet Chestnut, a lovable 5-year-old boy with a heart of gold! When he first arrived, Chestnut was a bit shy, but he has since blossomed into a playful and happy boy. Chestnut would do best in a home with active individuals or families who can match his playful spirit. A yard to run around in or regular trips to the park would be ideal for this energetic boy!With his sweet nature and playful antics, Chestnut is bound to bring joy and laughter to your home. He’s looking for a loving family who can help him continue to grow and thrive. If you’re ready to welcome a fun-loving companion into your life, Chestnut could be the perfect match! Please contact Toronto Animal Services West Shelter at 416-338-PAWS for more information.

Want a happy lab galloping around your house like a little fawn? Look no further! Bambi is here to show you that puppies born with a little wobble aren’t anything to be afraid of, he’s a happy and healthy guy ready for his forever people! He’s ready to start 2025 with snuggles! If you’re interested call our North Region shelter to meet him! 416-388-PAWS. Can’t adopt right now? Share Bambi with your friends and let’s get him a home!

We wanted to give our Big Dogs a bit of holiday cheer. So we enlisted the help of drag artist Yovska! To help find homes for our big dogs, we’ve waived the fees of all dogs 50lbs and over (or puppies who will be that size once grown.) For more info visit Toronto.ca/adoptapet. Can’t adopt big? Give big at Toronto.ca/helptheanimals.

Ebony can eat a leaf of lettuce before you can say “adoption!” Speaking of adoption, you can adopt Ebony at Toronto.ca/adoptapet!

Meet Woody, Jessie, Buzz and Gabby Gabby, the 5-month-old American Bulldog mix puppies gracing our West shelter! To adopt a pup, visit toronto.ca/adoptapet or call our West shelter at (416) 338-PAWS (7297)

Watch that front facing camera button, it’ll catch ya red handed 😅 Quinn has warmed-up to the faces of the shelter staff, so much so she was brave enough to come out for a video! You can learn more about Quinn and adopt her at the link in our bio!

You can see all of our adoptable cats at www.toronto.ca/adoptapet 😽

Today is Feral Cat Awareness Day, a time to show appreciation for all cats in our community - regardless of where they call home! Toronto Animal Services is proud to be part of the Toronto Feral Cat Coalition (TFCC), which supports feral cats throughout the city. Our vet team is participating in a panel presentation at the Animal Shelter Professionals of Ontario's 2024 conference, discussing the success of Toronto’s TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) movement. Check out this video brought to you by the TFCC! Animal Alliance of Canada Community Cats Toronto The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Annex Cat Rescue Toronto Humane Society Toronto Street Cats

Beamster the cat!

Just Beamster being his lovey-dovey self! You can adopt Beamster at toronto.ca/adoptapet or call our East shelter at (416) 338-PAWS (7297)

Today is #WorldAnimalDay! We're celebrating the day by featuring some of Toronto's diverse urban wildlife through a guessing game. How many can you guess before time's up? Learn more about our animal neighbours at toronto.ca/wildlife

Sometime’s it’s tough being a toy collector. Just ask Millie!

Want to adopt Millie and give her all the toys she deserves? Head to toronto.ca/adoptapet to learn more!

Jake, this is everyone. Everyone, meet Jake! Jake’s a kind, loving boy looking for his kind, loving family! To learn more about Jake, head to Toronto.ca/adoptapet

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