Clementine the bulldog was found bleeding in a Toronto park. Experts say pet abandonment is a growing problem

Before tiny French bulldog Clementine was brought to the Toronto Humane Society, she was found abandoned and bleeding inside a chip box in a park. 

The "impossibly tiny, fawn-coloured" pup was just eight weeks old when she was found, the organization said in a news release. Onlookers stopped to check on her until one of them made the decision to bring her in.

"Clementine's story began in heartbreak," the Toronto Human Society said. Once she arrived, she was treated for rectal prolapse and underwent emergency surgery to prevent further complications. 

Now four months old, Clementine has been adopted by a foster family and has a new home. But not all animals are so lucky.

As the cost of living continues to grow, some owners are surrendering their pets to animal shelters in an attempt to lessen financial strains, says Kirsti Clarida, director of academic strategy for the organization. In extreme cases, some have resorted to abandoning their pets in public places, she says.

That's why the Toronto Humane Society is launching a new campaign aimed at preventing more animals from being abandoned.

"If an animal has a home, and you're struggling to keep the animal in the home, we can probably help you there first. You might not have to get to the next level of decision-making," Clarida said. 

"These pets don't need to be moved, even temporarily sometimes, if we can get the right resources into the family homes at the right time," Clarida said. 

Owners giving up their pets has been a growing issue in the city. As previously reported, local animal shelters have reported an increase in cases as people returned to offices following the COVID-19 pandemic and as the cost of veterinary care has risen.

Founder of Toronto animal rescue shelter Mattie's Place, Denise Angus, says her organization sees stories like Clementine's often. 

"These stories are happening daily and weekly where dogs are being abandoned, medical cases are being abandoned. This is our new norm, and I'm not surprised," she said.

In 2024, her shelter received more than 1,500 requests from owners and families attempting to surrender their pets compared to 900 in 2023, Angus said.

While Angus agrees that the cost of living has contributed to the problem, she also says there are not enough animal shelters and adopters able to provide the solutions owners need.

Angus says a major part of that change involves cracking down on backyard breeders, and informing owners on spay and neutering services that shelters offer.