News Release
December 9, 2010
Toronto Animal Services launches the “12 Strays of Christmas”
Throughout the holiday season, friends and family gather to celebrate and be closer to one another. At this time of year, it’s also important to consider the animals living temporarily at local shelters. They too are looking for a warm and cozy place to call home.
This holiday season, the City of Toronto’s Animal Services is featuring the “12 Strays of Christmas” in an effort to increase awareness of the adoptable animals available in its shelters. These strays, and many others, are all currently available for adoption at one of Toronto’s four shelters located across the city, as well as at select PetSmart stores.
The “12 Strays of Christmas” adoption event features three animals from each of the four shelters located in Toronto. You can view the 12 strays (and all the other animals up for adoption) at http://www.toronto.ca/animalservices. Consider bringing one of these wonderful animals into your life-long loving home.
The adoption event runs from Friday, December 10 through Friday, January 8, 2011. All cat adoptions for this four-week period are just $25 (a savings of almost $60). All cats and dogs are vaccinated, micro-chipped, spayed or neutered, vet checked and de-wormed. Toronto residents are required to purchase a licence for all cats and dogs in Toronto (licences for sterilized cats are $15; $7.50 for senior citizens, and for sterilized dogs they are $25; $12.50 for seniors).
“We are excited to feature the 12 Strays of Christmas for the first time this year in an effort to raise awareness of the number and variety of animals we have available for adoption into life-long loving homes,” said Eletta Purdy, manager of Toronto Animal Services. “It is our hope that we find homes for as many animals as we can this holiday season, in order to keep shelter occupancy at a level that will allow us to take in the volume of animals we typically see over the winter months.”
Also available for adoption are dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds and many other animals.
For anyone unable to adopt a pet but who wants to contribute to an improved life for these animals, a donation can be made on the website or in person at any one of our four animal shelters.
Torontonians may also drop off a holiday gift for the animals to any of the shelters. These pets are always in need of blankets and towels (new or used); cat treats; dog cookies, leashes, collars and halti-leads so the dogs can enjoy walks; heating pads and hot water bottles; can openers and even Canadian Tire money.
Our pets are available for adoption from the four Animal Services Shelters, as well as from a number of PetSmart locations. Here is a complete list of locations:
Toronto Animal Services Shelters
(Open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
* West Region – 146 The East Mall, (Highway 427 and Dundas Street West)
* North Region – 1300 Sheppard Avenue West, (Keele Street and Sheppard Avenue West)
* East Region – 821 Progress Avenue, (Highway 401 and Markham Road)
* South Region – 140 Princes’ Blvd (Exhibition Place, Horse Palace)
PetSmart locations (These locations only accept cash as payment.)
* 835 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto (Laird and Eglinton)
* 2050 Eglinton Ave. E., Toronto (Birchmount and Eglinton)
* 3155 Hwy 7, Markham
* 7575 Weston Road, Vaughan
* 3105 Argentia Road, Mississauga
* 225 High Tech Road, Richmond Hill
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto’s government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.