WHO WE ARE
We are a small, entirely volunteer, non-profit and no-kill rescue group dedicated to rescuing dogs. Although, we primarely rescue small dogs of all breeds we do rescue large ones as well. Occasionally, we rescue cats when foster homes are available. Our goal is helping dogs in Ontario and Quebec. At times, from high kill pounds in the U.S.
Although, we will take in family surrenders, our priority is helping dogs that are surrendered by pounds, rescuing from puppy mills and when possible laboratory surrenders.
We dedicate our time in rescuing unwanted, neglected and abused dogs. Our goal is to provide for each companion animal that comes into our care. Our rescues will benefit from training, rehabilitation, medical care and a lot of TLC!
All dogs are placed in foster care. They receive a health and temperament examination by a vet, they are spayed/neutered, have their basic vaccines, vaccinated for rabies, heartworm tested, life time microchipped and two months of shelter care insurance.
With this in mind, please be aware that we are volunteers and we are NOT funded. All money provided in the care given to these pets come from our own pockets (volunteers). Not all of the pets we get in our rescue need basic care. Some come into our rescue needing long term care and some are simply too ill to be adopted out and need "permanent" foster homes to live out their lives. For these reasons we have an adoption fee that will help us cover some of the basic vetting care. We are not a customer service agency. Please do not expect us to "service" you. We will get back to every inquiry the best way we can. We will do so when we're available as we all have jobs during the day. Please consider the limited time volunteers have and only inquire about one of our pets if you are serious. Window shoppers are not appreciated as we value the time our foster homes give to families visiting our rescue dogs.
We keep all our dogs for a length of time based on their individual needs. This will help us understand the dogs better and allow us to evaluate them. We get to know our dogs pretty well and we try to match them with good families that will be able to provide for their specific needs and that would suit their lifestyle. We encourage families to RESEARCH the breed they are interested in PRIOR to adopting. A particular dog may look cute but if you don't know anything about the breed you are adopting, you may end up with a few surprises. Please keep in mind these dogs are RESCUES. In other words, most of the time they have issues. These dogs need patience, love but also the right training. They are not your typical pre-conceived notion of what a perfect dog should be. No dog is perfect. A good and well behaved dog is a dog that work and effort was put into. A lot of this is expected from the new owner. Little dogs are not perfect little toys with a ribbon attatched. Owning a dog is a lot of responsibility.
****Disclaimer- We also list pets that belong to families that are rehoming them on their own on OUR PET LIST. We act only as a liaison and encourage the families that are looking to rehome their pets, to interview, ask for an adoption fee and make sure the families that are interested in their pets are good families. We also encourage adopters to do their own research and making sure the dog is suitable in their home. Adopters should ask questions about the medical history and temperament of the dog. These pets are not adopted out by Snookie's Little Rescue. They are not evaluated by us, not under our care, nor are they vetted by our rescue. We do not take any legal responsibility should any problems arise. The responsibility is left to the family rehoming their pets and the adopters.
PLEASE READ BEFORE ADOPTING
By Jim Willis, 2001 How Could You?
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When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of ruined throw pillows, I became your best friend. ... Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub. My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day. Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed, "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a line to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?" They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?" Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself --a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.
An animal requires a great deal of commitment and responsibility. A lot of thought and research is needed upon adopting a companion friend. To ensure that our dogs are placed properly, we have a mandatory screening process. This will include an application form, interviews, home visit, and a follow up visit upon a succesful adoption. Snookie's Little Rescue is run by volunteers and we do our best to get back to people when inquiries are made. We often receive 300 e-mails/calls per day and it is difficult to get back to everyone as quickly as we'd like. Please be patient and a volunteer will be more them happy to reply to only serious questions/inquiries.
We also include post adoption support and will always be available to provide information to families adopting our pets the best way we can. A care package is given when animals are placed into their new homes. This will help ease the pet to its new home and make the transition period easier. The package includes any personal belongings of the pet, information sheet, medical documents, brochures....
WISH LIST
FOSTER HOMES!!! If you would like to seriously consider fostering, we would love for you to be part of the team! We can only rescue a certain amount of dogs based on the amount of foster homes that are available.
If you thought about adopting but wasn't sure if you were quite ready, what better than having a dog temporarely under your care. Most important, you will take part in helping a furry companion find his/her forever home.
Please let us know and we would be more than happy to send you an application for fostering and get the ball rolling!
Donations will always be appreciated to help our furry companions. We also need food, toys, bowls, and other dog related necessities.
HAPPY TAILS
Through the years, we have met the most wonderful pets imagineable. With the help of our foster homes, volunteers, family and friends, we have been able to place many pets into good homes.
Each and every time this happens, we are rewarded a million times over.
There have been times when we did not think an animal will live through the horrors they experienced, but when they do we are reminded that miracles do exhist. There is still good out there in this world. It isn't always evident for those of us that are in animal rescue. We see the worst in human nature but are reminded every time how special and "humane" animals can be in comparison to the two legged people that share this world with us.
As the saying goes,"...the more I know humans the more I love my dog."
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Contact Us!
Snookie's Little Rescue
Toronto, ON
Email: SnookiesLittleRescue@rogers.com
