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Save Them From the Cold: A Winter Rescue Story

At 5:00 a.m. on a cold Sunday morning, Niagara Dog Rescue volunteers gathered quietly in Oakville, waiting for a transport that carried lives hanging in the balance.

After days of coordination, a network of rescuers and volunteers from Northern Saskatchewan, Northern Manitoba, and Northern Ontario worked tirelessly to move homeless dogs and puppies south before the winter cold claimed them. These animals were born and living outdoors in freezing temperatures, with no shelter and no chance of survival without immediate intervention.

That morning, 31 dogs and puppies arrived safely.

They had travelled hundreds of kilometres, passed from one dedicated rescue team to another, first to Thunder Bay, and then onward to Southern Ontario. Each handoff was an act of hope.

Some didn’t make it in time.

Three adult dogs and ten puppies missed the pickup. Tragically, three of those little puppies have already died from the cold. The others are still waiting for rescue.

When the transport reached Oakville, volunteers carefully unloaded their precious cargo and immediately began triage. Several dogs were taken first to foster homes in Guelph to warm up, before being brought to Lakeshore Woods Animal Hospital, where Dr. Sam Masoud examined those needing medical attention.

Among them was a tiny puppy born outside in the north, missing one eye and in need of medication. Her mother is named Angel, so she was given the name Solange — meaning “Earth Angel.” She and several others stole the hearts of everyone present. Some of the puppies were so young their eyes were not even open yet. One had already lost toes to frostbite - injuries that happen far too often to puppies born outdoors in winter.

This is the reality of winter in the north.

Puppies born wet and exposed freeze quickly. Without shelter, food, or veterinary care, they die. And unless rescue comes fast, many never get a chance.

Thanks to the dedication of foster families, every dog who arrived that morning was placed into warmth, safety, and care. They are now resting, healing, and beginning their journey toward permanent homes.

But the work is far from over.

More dogs remain behind. Others missed the transport and urgently need help. Winter is only beginning, and Niagara Dog Rescue is preparing for additional emergency rescue missions throughout December and into the new year.
For nearly ten years, Niagara Dog Rescue has found homes for almost 11,000 dogs, focusing on those who will not survive without help. We do the hard part — organizing rescue, transport, veterinary care, and foster placement — but we need the community’s support to get them here.

That’s why we launched
Save Them From the Cold: The Winter Rescue Mission.

Your donation helps:

• Fund emergency winter transports
• Provide veterinary care for frostbite, injuries, and illness
• Supply foster homes caring for newborn puppies
• Rescue the dogs who didn’t make it onto this transport

While many of us have shelter and warmth this winter, dogs in northern communities are still fighting to survive the cold. They don’t need much, just the chance to get here safely.

We will take care of the rest.

🚨 DONATE NOW SAVE THEM FROM THE COLD 🚨 

Every dollar saves lives. Every rescue matters.

This winter, you can be their lifeline.