Quebec puppies reunite after being rescued two years prior
Happy yips and barks filled the air in a Hampstead neighbourhood Sunday to mark a reunion of more than 13 dogs rescued nearby.
Gerdy Rescues and Adoptions held the event nearly two years after the pups were taken from a nearby breeder in Berthierville, a town east of Montreal.
At the time, rescuer Marilyn Gelfand says neighbours had been finding the puppies wandering on the road.
They were traumatized, she says, and in need of veterinary care.
“They're mostly yorkies mixed with Chinese cresteds, chihuahuas, and terriers,” said Gelfand.
The pups were shy at first. But once they got to socializing, "they were a joy," she said.
“They started coming out of their shells which was unbelievable.” she said. When they were ready for adoption, "we were very, very careful about where they went.”
One of the lucky puppy-parents was Lisa Griffin, who adopted two of the dogs: Lucas and Ricky.
“When I first met them, Ricky was very afraid of everybody, (but now) he's getting braver,” she said.
“Lucas was a bit catatonic,” she added, but since his adoption, “he's coming out and has a personality all of his own.”
A foster-based rescue in Montreal hosts a reunion of 13 dogs, all recovered from the area nearly two years prior. (Angela MacKenzie, CTV News)
'COVID PUPPIES' AN INCREASING PROBLEM: GELFAND
Gelfand says Gerdy’s is starting to see an increase in pet owners giving up dogs they purchased or adopted during the pandemic.
“Every week, our numbers are increasing,” she said.
“We got a COVID puppy in 2 weeks ago, another dog with huge separation anxiety, that we're trying to place."
Gelfand says she expects even more dogs to arrive at the shelter as people head back to work more often.
“It's going to be an increasing problem because people are going back to work full time and certainly after the summer we expect a huge influx of COVID dogs.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.