Parks Canada has issued a petition asking people to stop abandoning them domestic animal And exotic animals In recent years, the Rouge National Urban Park has tripled.
In a statement to Global News, the government agency says that in addition to domestic dogs, park staff are seeing rabbits, cats, reptiles and other exotic wildlife left behind.
In mid-November, Team Chelsea, a local rescue organization, tracked down and captured a husky that had been on the loose for nearly a month. They received reports that the dog had been let loose on Woodland Trail, where it had lived before traveling beyond park boundaries.
City of Toronto will reduce dog adoption fees to $25 by January 31
Exercise ‘heightened’ vigilance on reports of Russia-linked hack on Ukraine aid: CSE Center
Stu Johnson with Team Chelsea says they were finally able to capture it when it strayed onto a golf course in York Region, although the problem is not unique to Rouge National Urban Park.
“We have had quite a few situations where people think it’s okay to leave their dog with all of his belongings in his crate on a back street in the Durham area,” Johnson told Global News.
“Its toys, its food – everything – in a bin next to it. Not sure if it makes them [their pet owner] Feel better when you get home.
On November 10, park staff found the remains of a small to medium-sized domestic dog, along with its mat, food and other items. The dog is believed to have been abandoned by its owner, eventually succumbing to starvation and exposure to the bitter cold.
“Pets and pets that previously depended on owners to care for them and provide food and shelter are not equipped to survive in the wild. These animals can also carry diseases, parasites and viruses into native species Can give more.
Stu Johnson tells Global News that a big concern is people who bought pets during the pandemic may no longer be able to care for them. Another is the backyard breeder who releases animals into the wild.
He recommends that people who happen upon an abandoned pet contact their local animal services or animal rescue organization.
‘There’s so much’: Some Torontonians are noticing an increase in dog waste in local parks
Fireball is facing lawsuit for selling mini bottles that don’t contain whiskey
Hannah Sotropa with the Toronto Humane Society says that from 2016 to 2020, about 30 percent of surrenders were related to medical issues with the animals, and their owner’s ability to properly care for them.
“We really encourage you to reach out to those people who are equipped to handle these types of situations, who can take the animal and possibly rehome them,” she told those who want to share their photos. Pets were feeling overwhelmed or unable to.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.