Influx of dogs in need, Waterloo Region dog rescue says

Dog rescue looks for help A not-for-profit rescue in Waterloo Region needs help as they deal with an influx of need. CTV’s Spencer Turcotte reports.

A not-for-profit dog rescue in Waterloo Region is putting out a call for help around the holidays.

Hobo Haven Rescue in St. Jacobs says there has been an influx of dogs needing to be rescued over the last several years.

“This year, we’re somewhere around 230 now,” said Chris Schaefer, founder of Hobo Haven Rescue, adding the number is for rescues from commercial breeders and does not include rescues from overcrowded shelters. She says in 2023, they saved 335 dogs and 264 in 2022.

Those numbers began climbing during the pandemic.

“The peak hasn’t really stopped,” Schaefer said.

Rescuing every dog isn’t possible because Hobo Haven does not have a physical space.

“We do not have a location and we do not have any money,” said Schaefer. “We can only take as many as we have suitable fosters and funds for. I turn away more than I can accept. We turn away hundreds a month and it’s heartbreaking.”

That’s why foster families are so vital. Hobo Haven cannot agree to rescue a dog until they know there’s a safe place for them to go. Fosters like Melissa McLennan must say yes on short notice to little pups like Pippen.

“We got an emergency call and within two hours of me saying ‘yes’ to opening my home, he was on my doorstep,” said McLennan.

It’s no small feat getting these pups back on their feet. The foster families who help out Hobo Haven know the dogs are often rescued from rough conditions.

“His jaw needs to be looked at. He has a slight fracture, he needs more teeth removed,” said McLennan.

Tanya Morelli, who also fosters through Hobo Haven and helped save Perdita, says the little pup will also need to see a vet.

“She has an umbilical hernia,” said Morelli.

In Perdita’s case, and others alike, breeders have found that dogs with medical needs are not profitable.

“We are spending upwards of $8,000 to $10,000 on one dog because when they come to us, they are so horribly neglected,” said Schaefer.

Morelli adds that as a result, breeders “get rid” of the dogs, which is a nice way of putting it.

“There are cases where the dogs are shot,” said Schaefer. “Dogs will literally die if we don’t help.”

The same goes for senior dogs, which is why Wesley Dodd had no hesitation saying yes to Zoriya who is a bit older.

“It’s an enormous commitment. It is one that is so worthwhile doing, every time one of your fosters leaves, they take a little piece of your heart with them,” Dodd says.

While Hobo Haven doesn’t want to speculate as to why the number of rescues has remained so high, they hope part of the reason is because of growing awareness around rescuing being an option.

“I’m just the conductor in the amazing orchestra. Without our volunteers and our fosters, rescues wouldn’t exist. And our sponsors and supporters,” said Schaefer.

How to help

To donate to Hobo Haven Rescue, there are several options available here.

There is also a Hobo Haven Rescue wish list, which includes items that help with rescues.

To foster a dog through Hobo Haven Rescue, you can fill out an application form here.