Parks Canada urging people not to leave Unwanted Pets at Rouge Park

Written By Henry Dang

At least four dogs have been abandoned at Rouge National Urban Park in the past year. It’s part of an alarming trend of people releasing their unwanted pets - dogs, cats, reptiles, and other exotic wildlife - into the wild at Rouge Park. According to Parks Canada, there has been about a three-fold increase in the number of instances of pets dumped at the park by their owners in recent years. Releasing pets into the wild not only puts them in danger but can also negatively impact the local ecosystem.

Earlier this month, Rouge National Urban Park took to Twitter urging people to find alternative options to abandoning their pets.

“Releasing pets into nature seldom has a happy ending. Domestic animals struggle in the harsh natural environment and can spread diseases to native species. Please don’t abandon animals in Rouge National Urban Park,” they wrote.

People who are having difficulty caring for their pets are being encouraged to reach out to organizations like the Toronto Humane Society to help rehome their pets. There are also community organizations that offer support pet care services, a pet food bank, and foster care program.

Henry Dang
Previous

Pet Ownership By the Numbers
Next

What Your Dog's Sleeping Positions Say About Them