In a bid to promote pet adoption, Toronto Animal Services has partnered with NutriCanine, a local fresh dog food company, to shine a light on the often overlooked large dogs. Their collaborative campaign, now in its second year, aims to facilitate the adoption of big dogs in the Greater Toronto Area from March 23 to April 23.
To encourage more families to consider adopting big dogs, Toronto Animal Services will be waiving all adoption fees for large dogs and large-breed puppies across the city. The classification of “large” includes dogs weighing over 50 pounds or puppies expected to reach that weight.
Elana Trainoff, partnerships manager at Toronto Animal Services, highlighted that misconceptions about large dogs can deter potential adopters due to concerns about space, exercise requirements, and lifestyle compatibility. However, Trainoff emphasized that large dogs offer immense love and can positively impact one’s life if given a chance.
The agency’s campaign aims to address the prolonged wait times large dogs face in shelters solely based on their size, with Trainoff noting that they tend to stay longer, often through no fault of their own. Last year, the campaign led to 58 successful adoptions.
Trainoff encouraged prospective pet owners to explore the available dogs on the city’s website, contact the relevant shelter to arrange a meeting, involve family members and existing pets in the process, and select the dog that best suits their lifestyle.
The adoption process remains unchanged, and interested individuals can visit the city’s webpage to start their journey towards adopting a furry companion.