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Toronto Humane Society searching for owner who left pet in park with note about personal crisis.
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“He’s a good boy” were the last words on a handwritten note attached to Max, a three-year-old dog abandoned by an owner who said they could no longer care for him due to financial circumstances.
The Toronto Humane Society is looking to reunite the pet with the owner after what the local shelter has called a “heartbreaking” decision.
“With rising costs and inflation affecting everyday expenses like groceries, gasoline and housing, many of us are just one crisis away from being unable to care for ourselves and for our pets,” the humane society said in an online statement.
Max was found last Monday at Primrose Avenue Parkette near Davenport Road and St. Clarens Ave.
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On the note, Max’s owner said they couldn’t afford to look after the dog after losing their job and their home.
Max, who will be four in June, is described in the note as “good with kids” and a “very smart” dog.
The humane society says that as inflation strains the wallets of dog owners, more families across the GTA are surrendering or finding a new home for their pets.
“Choosing between caring for your pet and caring for your well-being is not a fair choice, but unfortunately, with nowhere left to turn, this has become a reality for a growing number,” the organization said.
The humane society continues to search for Max’s family, hoping to enroll them in the local shelter’s Urgent Care program.
Launched in 2020, the pandemic response initiative provides temporary foster homes for pets, giving time for their owners to “get back on their feet” after experiencing “challenging circumstances.”
Since its inception, the program has seen a “steady increase” in the number of people seeking help, with more than 300 animals in the program last year alone. The humane society expects that number will swell to 400 by the end of the year.
“Our Urgent Care program is vital in preserving the human-animal bond and preventing animals from entering the shelter system,” Tegan Buckingham, director of marketing and development for the humane society, said in an email to the Star.
While the search for Max’s family is still underway, Buckingham said they do have a “strong lead.”
“If you are Max’s family, please reach out to us so we can ensure you and Max end up together,” the humane society said.
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