Animals with Special Needs

Some animals are harder to find homes for than others. Kittens and puppies practically “sell” themselves. But here at The Toronto Humane Society we want to help all animals find loving new homes, especially those who are a little more needy.

The Special Needs section of the website is designed to promote some special animals in need of special homes. The special needs animals are often placed in foster homes, giving them a bit of a break from shelter living. If you are interested in adopting a special needs animal contact us at 416-392-2273.

There are also Animals with Challenges which require an more experienced guardian and, in some cases, a rural environment. You can apply to adopt these animals online, however, these applications are subject to approval by either the Canine or Feline Services, and only those persons selected for an interview will be contacted.

Below are some of the animals with special needs currently available for adoption:

Animal type: Cat Mildred A133865 Female (Spayed), 12 years Hello, my name is Mildred, but everyone at the shelter calls me "Millie." I am a 12 year old, declawed, female. I came to the shelter as a stray in July 2009. The shelter staff says that I'm a very sweet and mellow girl that loves to be held and brushed. I have been very depressed here, as I've been waiting for my forever home to find me. If you think you could be my salvation, please come and ask about me at the cat desk or call about our Permanent Placement Program: 416-392-2273 x2354. I can't wait to finally be home. For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Cat Asterix A136963 Male (Neutered), 2 years In his two years of life, this sociable boy has been through a lot. He and his feline companion were brought to the shelter when their owner became ill. Soon after, Asterix’s companion passed away. His whole world was turned upside down! At first, Asterix was terrified and defensive; but with a little bit of TLC he has settled in nicely. He now trusts people again, and demands attention with great conviction! Once he gets to know you, he is a very confident guy, who will happily make his way into your lap, kneading away and gazing into your eyes adoringly. He is healthy, neutered, vaccinated, and ready to go home! If you have no young children, and can provide a quiet home where this guy will be lavished with love; come on down to the shelter, where the Feline Administrator will be pleased to introduce you to this charismatic fellow, or contact the Permanent Placement Program at 416-392-2273 x2354. For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Cat Tart A131165 Female (Spayed), 12 years Hello, my name is Tart. I am a 12 year old+, spayed female. I came to the shelter in April 2009 after I had been abandoned in a house when the owners moved out. I am a very old girl who needs a lot of love. I am looking for a special temporary foster home or special needs forever home that is experienced with older cats. I may need subcutaneous fluids if I am dehydrated, and my new parent has to be comfortable with that possibility. If you think you can bring some peace and happiness into my life, please ask about me at the cat desk, or call about our Foster and Permanent Placement Programs at 416-392-2273 x2354. For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Cat Biscuits A119898 Male (Neutered), 5 years Hello, my name is Biscuits. I am a 5 year old, neutered male. I have been in the shelter since January 2008 – over 2 years! I am FIV+ so I should only go to a home with no other cats, unless they are also FIV+. If that’s the case, I love to hang out with other FIV+ cats! I am not on any medication. I love people, and like to be held. My purr is amazing, so you’ll never want to put me down! If think you could give me the home I’ve been waiting for, please ask about me at the cat desk, or call about our Permanent Placement Program at 416-392-2273 x2354. For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Cat Trina A114503 Female (Spayed), 10 years Hello, my name is Trina. I am a 10 year old, spayed female. I have been in the shelter since July 2008 – a year and a half! I am diabetic and receive insulin injections twice a day. The vets here can show you how easy it is to give them! I have big, beautiful, gold-coloured eyes that are sure to win you over. All the shelter staff says that I love people and have one of the best purrs around! If you think you can love a girl like me, please ask about me at the cat desk, or call about our Permanent Placement Program at 416-392-2273 x2354. For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Cat Arnie A123645 Male (Neutered), 6 years Arnie is a 6-year old neutered male domestic shorthair, who came to the shelter in June of 2008. He has tested positive for FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), but is currently on no medication. He is a happy guy, who will advertise his glee by meowing and rubbing up against your legs. You can also count on him spending plenty of time in your lap! He will be happy in a home with or without other FIV-positive cats. Due to his medical condition, he will require prompt visits to the vet, should he show any sign of illness. Please don’t hesitate to visit the shelter, where we will be happy to share more information about Arnie’s needs. For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Cat Fabio & Bugsy A112409 & A119717 Male (Neutered), Hello, my name is Fabio, and this is my best friend, Bugsy. I came to the shelter as a stray in May 2007 (almost 3 years ago!!!) and Bugsy came as a stray in Jan 2008 (2 years ago!). We met at the shelter and have been inseparable ever since! We are a pair of very special boys with very special issues. We are both FIV+/FeLV+. Many cats with these viruses can live healthy lives without symptoms for months or even years, but their immune systems are compromised and usually they will eventually succumb to an FIV/FeLV related illness. Right now, we’re both healthy and on no medications at all. We are looking for a very special Permanent Special Needs home with no other cats, that is accepting of our conditions and willing to open their heart to us for as long as we may have. We are loving and affectionate boys who deserve a happy ending. If you think you may be able to help us out, or have questions about us, please come and ask about us at the cat desk, or contact the Permanent Placement Program at 416-392-2273 x2354. All we want is to know what it’s like to be loved. For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Cat Mickey A130543 Male (Neutered), 10 years Hello, my name is Mickey. I am a 10 year old, neutered male. I came to the shelter in March 2009 when my owners were moving and could not take me with them. I have the cutest squished –up face, but I also have an eye condition and am currently on an eye drop as well as an oral medication to try to clear it up. It is possible that my eyes will always require treatment. I am also a chubby boy and need to lose some weight so I can be a more active, healthy kitty. I am friendly and enjoy petting and head rubs, as long as you don’t pet around my bum! I am looking for a special home that is willing to foster-to-adopt me. I will start out as a foster while I await a dental surgery, and once that has been completed and I’ve recovered, my foster family will adopt me! If you are willing to give a cutie like me a second chance at a loving home, please ask about me at the cat desk, or call about our Foster Program at 416-392-2273 x2354. I’m looking forward to my vacation! For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Cat Little Gizmo A120721 Male (Neutered), 4 YRS Hello, my name is Little Gizmo. I am a 4 year old, neutered male. I have been in the shelter since August 2008 – a year and a half! I am a diabetic cat who is currently in remission, and at this time all I require is a special diet and plenty of love – I really like head scratches! In my last home, I got along well with other cats and older children. If you think you could find a place for me in your heart and in your home, please ask about me at the cat desk, or call about our Permanent Placement Program at 416-392-2273 x2354. For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Cat Oscar A131726 Male (Neutered), 7 years Hello, my name is Oscar. I am a 7 year old, neutered male. The shelter staff says that I’m very overweight, but I think I’m just big boned! I’m a peaceful and friendly guy, who likes to lounge all day. Although I like some petting, I can become a bit grumpy if you over-stimulate me. I am looking for a very special forever home that will help me trim off my extra pounds, and will find the right balance between giving me the space I require and the love that I need. If you think that’s you, please come and visit me at the shelter, or call about our Permanent Placement Program at 416-392-2273 x2354. For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Cat Tessa A120355 Female (Spayed), 13 years Hello, my name is Tessa. I am a 13 year old, spayed female. I have been in the shelter since October 2008 – over a year! I was surrendered when a child in my home developed allergies. All of the shelter staff say that I’m soooooo sweet! I do have a heart condition and am on an inexpensive medication twice a day. If you think you could give me a second chance to live my life in a loving home, please ask about me at the cat desk, or call about our Permanent Placement Program at 416-392-2273 x2354. For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Cat Angel A132434 Female (Spayed), 9 years Hello, my name is Angel. I am a 9 year old, spayed female. I came to the shelter in May 2009 when my previous guardian passed away unexpectedly. I am a very particular girl and I like things to be my way and on my terms. I am very loving and affectionate, enjoying head pets, but I do not like being picked up. I am looking for a quiet forever home that is willing to love me for who I am and give me the space I need to feel happy and secure. Ideally, this will be in a home with no other cats and no children, with a new family that will understand and respect my body language. I do not like being at the shelter and find the stress of day-to-day life here to be too much. If you think you would be willing to give me the sanctuary I’ve been looking for, please come and ask about me at the cat desk. I can’t wait to leave for my forever home! For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Cat Fred A121330 Male (Neutered), 7 years Hello, my name is Fred. I am a 7 year old, neutered male. I first came to the shelter in March 2008 – 2 years ago! I was adopted once but returned because I didn’t get along with the other cat at my new home. I am FIV+ and should go to a home with no other cats, although the staff at the shelter have been working at socializing me with other FIV+ cats. I am a very affectionate lap cat who will love to spend hours lying with you watching TV or lounging peacefully in the sun. I am looking for a new forever home with a family that will give me the time I need to adjust to my new surroundings. I am not on any medications! If you think you could give me a second chance at a forever loving family, please come and ask about me at the cat desk, or call about the Permanent Placement Program: 416-392-2273 x2354. I can’t wait for you to find me! For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Small Domestic - Rabbit Bugsy A135879 Male (Neutered), unknown Hello, my name is Bugsy. I am an unaltered female bunny, but the vets here can spay me before I go home. I came to the shelter as a stray in September 2009. I am a grumpy girl who needs an understanding and patient home where I can learn to trust people and relax into the happy life I want to lead. When I get stressed, my inner eyelids swell a little and puff out. It looks really funny, but all the vets promise me that it isn’t harmful or uncomfortable in any way. I am looking for a Special Needs Adoptive Home. If you think you can be patient and kind to a crotchety girl like me, please call the Small Domestics Department at 416-392-2273 x2354 or e-mail at rdrummond@torontohumanesociety.com. I can’t wait to understand what love is! For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Small Domestic - Rabbit Kolito A135389 Female (), 3 years Hello, my name is Kolito. I am a young (under 3 years), unaltered female bunny, but the vets here can spay me before I go home. I came to the shelter in August 2009, when the police saw me being dragged around on a harness with a badly broken leash. When I arrived, the vets had to perform emergency surgery and amputate my leg. 2 weeks later, I had a litter of 5 babies! All my kids have been adopted now, and I am now waiting to find my forever home. I am a very friendly girl who has compensated easily on only 3 legs. I am looking for a Special Needs Adoptive Home. If you think you might be able to give me a chance, please call the Small Domestics Department at 416-392-2273 x2354 or e-mail at rdrummond@torontohumanesociety.com. I can’t wait to show you all the things I can do! For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Small Domestic - Rabbit Peanut A136298 Male (Neutered), 2 years Hello, my name is Peanut. I am a young (under 2 years), neutered male Netherland Dwarf bunny. I came to the shelter as a stray in October 2009. I have maloccluded incisors, which means that my front teeth grow all funny, making it difficult for me to eat. Before I go home, the vets here are going to remove them! This means 3 things for my new home: 1) All of my veggies, greens and hay need to be cut up onto small pieces so I am able to eat them easily. 2) I won’t be able to chew on your wire, furniture, or anything! 3) there is always the small chance that if the vets aren’t able to remove every fragment of the teeth from my mouth, one or more of them my grow back in the future. If this occurs, they may need to be removed again. I am such a cutie and deserve a very special home! I am looking for a Special Needs Adoptive Home. If you think you can help me out, please call the Small Domestics Department at 416-392-2273 x2354 or e-mail at rdrummond@torontohumanesociety.com. I can’t wait to show you how cute I am! For more information call 416.392.2273

Animal type: Small Domestic - Rabbit Nora A131557 Female (), 3 years Hello, my name is Nora. I am a young (under 3 years), spayed female bunny. I have been at the shelter since April 2009. I have a neurological disorder which may have been caused by the parasite, encephalitozoon cuniculi, which many bunnies carry. When I first came to the shelter, I was very wobbly and had trouble walking normally. After treatment and lots of rest and relaxation, I’m just a little unsteady and am leading a relatively normal life! My condition may flare up again in the future, or I may never get worse again. It is probably best that I go to a home with no other rabbits, unless they are also E.C. positive or we’re kept completely separately with proper sanitization practices in place. I am a shy girl, but I know I’ll come out of my shell when I get the chance to live the way a bunny deserves to. I am looking for a Special Needs Adoptive Home. If you think you can love me, please call the Small Domestics Department at 416-392-2273 x2354 or e-mail at rdrummond@torontohumanesociety.com. I’ve been waiting for so long to finally go home! For more information call 416.392.2273