On April 4, 2023 we posted an urgent plea looking for Max’s family. Since then, we’ve received tons of support from community members, fellow animal lovers, and the media. Here is the update on Max.

We were able to connect with Max’s Family on April 10, 2023.  Dillon Dodson, RSW, MSW, Senior Manager, Social Work at Toronto Humane Society, was able to have a thorough discussion with the family. The family is heartbroken, but at this time, they feel that the best outcome for Max is to find him a new home.

Max will now begin the standard process in preparing for adoption at Toronto Humane Society. Several people have already expressed interest in providing a home for Max if the reuniting effort did not pan out.

We feel it is important to note that Max’s family is not the only family who have had experiences like this. When people are faced with the decision of whether or not they can continue caring for their beloved pet, they fear what may happen to them and their pet should they bring them to an animal shelter. Many people fear judgement and/or other implications of bringing their pet to one of these organizations.

Toronto Humane Society offers a judgement free animal surrender process that does not ask pet parents to pay a fee. We understand how difficult this decision is for many pet families and want to help wherever we can. In order to help, Toronto Humane Society offers programs like our Pet Parent Support Network and Urgent Care Program, to provide alternatives to surrender for families. The Pet Parent Support Network intends to walk through all the different options and resources available to pet families before they surrender their animal, this is done in an attempt to keep the pet with their loving family. If these options are not suitable or do not work for the family, Toronto Humane Society will admit the animal into our care to help find them a new home.

Due to the importance of privacy, we cannot disclose any more information about Max’s previous family.