A tiny puppy named Stella was rushed to Toronto Humane Society late in the day. She was weak, hadn’t eaten in five days, and could barely lift her head. 

Her brother Kolt arrived with her, and just days earlier, two other puppies —Kiss Kiss and Hunter— from the same local Toronto community had already come to us, all suffering from the same devastating illness: parvovirus. 

Parvovirus is highly contagious, often fatal, and spreads rapidly among unvaccinated dogs—especially puppies. It attacks their immune systems and causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, leaving them severely dehydrated and vulnerable to life-threatening infections. 

But here’s the most heartbreaking part: parvovirus is preventable. 

A simple vaccine—if given early enough—can stop this virus. But too many pet guardians can’t access basic veterinary care. That’s why community-based, accessible support is so vital. 

Stella hadn’t been vaccinated. She needed immediate, emergency hospitalization. She spent long nights in intensive care, receiving IV fluids, hand-feeding, antibiotics, and 24/7 monitoring. Her recovery was touch-and-go. 

Thanks to your support, we were able to act fast. And because of that, Stella survived.