Through Ruff Times: How One Toronto Group is Helping Folks and Their Pets Stay Together May 18 2018

Anyone who has had a pet very likely knows the immeasurable value of a pet can provide. Our pets are just as much a part of our family as our human family members. And sometimes our pets may be the only close family we have.

So what happens to pets when their owners fall on hard times or their owners need to be away from them, but don't have someone they can trust to leave their pet with when they are in recovery, rehab, hospital, shelter or are incarcerated?

Through Ruff Times is a fantastic new Toronto not-for-profit organization that is out to do some really great work to keep pets and their humans together. They have a roster of dedicated volunteers who take in pets when owners need to be away but don't want to make the choice to get help or give up their pets.

Through Ruff Times Social Justice Buttons

Did you know (courtesy of Through Ruff Times):
  • Only one homeless shelter in all of Toronto accepts pets? The capacity for this shelter is under 20.
  • People with precarious housing or are homeless cannot access services if they don't have someone to care for their pet.
  • If someone is sent to jail, their pet is surrendered to animal services without the owner's consent and will not be reunited when the owner is no longer in prison.

This is something most of us don't think about until we are faced with these kinds of situations. And having family or friends to lend a helping hand isn't always an option.

We love our pets here at People Power Press so we love what Through Ruff Times is up to and just wanted to spread the word that this service now exists in the city.

You could be a sitter who takes one the pets while their owner is away or you can donate time, funds or services.

Bocci Battle - Fundraising Event Looking for Teams!

Through Ruff Times will also be holding a Bocci Ball Tournament Fundraiser at Trinity Bellwoods Park on June 3, 2018. If you have skills - or even if you don't, but want to support a great cause - then grab a friend and register your team.

Please check them out on Facebook or Instagram to see for yourself what they are up to (loads of cute pet pics, you've been warned!) and learn about how you can help.