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
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.