Mattie's Place

Mattie's Place Mattie's Place is a volunteer run, Toronto based dog & cat rescue focusing on Canadian pets in need.

[ MAKING CANADA PROUD ]Congratulations to Tate McRae an amazing Canadian talent playing 2 back to back shows at Scotiaba...
08/21/2025

[ MAKING CANADA PROUD ]

Congratulations to Tate McRae an amazing Canadian talent playing 2 back to back shows at Scotiabank Arena.

Yesterday & Tuesday, Mattie's Place was invited backstage to hang out with the tour so they could get their canine cuddle fixes in.

✅ Tuesday - Hugo & Pogo won hearts over.

✅ Wednesday - the puppies stole the show, mostly just sleeping in a puppy pile while people gave lots of "awww's"

Tate fell hard for puppy Pinto followed by Garbanzo and they made themselves comfortable in her lap and giving full on neck snuggles and kisses.

Thank you Megan for helping me wth handling.

Thank you Live Nation Concerts for being amazing hosts and following all our needed protocols for these experiences.

[ THANK YOU EVERYONE ]I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that embraced Bananaberry with me and for so many kind ...
08/19/2025

[ THANK YOU EVERYONE ]

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that embraced Bananaberry with me and for so many kind comments, messages and calls yesterday.

I'm not a rookie, but I made a rookie mistake and absolutely didn't prepare myself for anything beyond him pulling through yesterday. I also hated that I promised him I'd be back for him and everything was going to be okay. When I handed him off to the clinic staff he wrapped his front paws around my hand so tight and we locked eyes and I made that promise to him and also that he'd be okay.

My word is my word and not following through on my word to dog or human is a tough one for me.

So yesterday was a really, really hard day.

Today I feel emotionally depleted and have a bad headache, but feeling better, thankfully. I'm almost out of tears (summoned up a few writing this post) and I'm thankful that well is drying up because I'm not really a crying kind of person, so drains me even more and my more is pretty much empty.

Pet loss is heartbreaking but I see it every day at work, we all face loss in rescue and of course, so many of you have also had to say good-bye to your beloved pets. But in rescue, some dogs just get you in the feels more than others and Bananaberry had me at day 1.

I'm going to close the Bananaberry chapter with this post, but I did want to extend a huge thank you to each of you, Team Bananaberry. It made the highs of celebrating his life more exciting and the low of losing his life a little easier, knowing so many of you carried some of the hurt for me.

Thank you also to all the rescues that reached out with understanding.

Special thanks to rescuer, Stacey R, that made a generous donation in his honour that I'll find a special need for.

And of course, TEAM TVEH and Dr. Porter for making space for him and the kind care given.

His ashes will be returned to me, because he was a loved & wanted dog and he'll find his forever place alongside my other pets who I'm sure welcomed him yesterday; Mattie's, Destiny, Lil Miss, Christmas & Baxter.

Onward and upward. There are so many more dogs that need us all.

[ THE SWEETEST TANK ON 4 PAWS ]2 year old Rory joined Mattie's Place just 3 weeks ago. She came to me through another r...
08/19/2025

[ THE SWEETEST TANK ON 4 PAWS ]

2 year old Rory joined Mattie's Place just 3 weeks ago. She came to me through another rescue, when various dogs were surrendered from a home.

I got her in immediately for her spay, concerned about potential pregnancy (which she wasn't) and to get all her medical needs updated since she'd never seen a vet.

Rory is an absolute delight, perfect in every single way. Full of love and cuddles. Sweet and kind with everyone including dogs & cats. She is a tank though and will take your knees out when she gets the zoomies. Going through something rather than around something is more logical in her mind.

When fostering fell apart & fosters changed their minds on commitment, it was easier to just move her to a boarding kennel and that's where she landed. The decision tore me up. She did not have the personality to withstand a kennel for any length of time.

Thankfully, her stay wasn't too long and an amazing couple that checked every box I needed for Rory applied to adopt her. They were away so the adoption process was delayed until their return, but when they did return they were 100% committed to moving through all the adoption steps as quickly as possible so Rory could be busted out of the boarding kennel.

Sunday, Rory was able to leave the kennel and join her new family. She has settled in perfectly, as though she's always been there. They absolute adore everything about her and are so excited to have her in their life.

They are going to get her started with a professional trainer and they can't wait for all the adventures they'll have together for many years to come.

Congratulations Rory and family. I love that they all found one another.

ADOPTION FEE: $875
MATTIE'S PLACE COST: $1,012.12

RORY'S WELCOME POST:
www.facebook.com/share/p/1CkQbcMnLQ

08/18/2025

[ I PROMISED BANANABERRY I'D BE BACK FOR HIM ]

Through tears & heartbreak, I had to make the decision to euthanize Bananaberry about 30 minutes ago.

He was on the surgery table with Dr Porter and Dr Porter is convinced this is a aggressive cancer. Bananaberry has a large hole that starts at the top of his throat from a mass and extends directly through his soft palate into his nasal cavity. There is another mass not originally seen, along his lymph node.

Dr. Porter is a board certified surgeon and a champion for all pets & when he tells me he has low confidence in a recovery, I trust his word completely.

A feeding tube could have been inserted today. And I could have brought him back home this afternoon, but I know that's selfish on my part to just want more time with him when the euthanasia outcome will most likely be inevitable in the coming days.

I have asked Dr. Porter to humanely euthanize him while he's already asleep in surgery. That is the right thing to do, though I just want one more lazy morning with him, one more snuggle, one more car ride, 100 more kisses on his sweet face.

Thank you to those that embraced him and loved him, as I did. I know he's only been with me 9 days, but I welcomed him to Mattie's Place in honour of my ❤️ dog Mattie, on the 8th anniversary of her passing, not finding out he was so sick until he arrived, so this just hits me in all the feels as it took a sharp turn from what my expectations were.

I tried really, really hard to save his life. I truly did. I promised him through 100 kisses this morning that I would be back for him & I just needed him to be so brave today.

RIP Bananaberry. You were a wanted and loved dog.

[ VIDEO FROM YESTERDAY MORNING (SUNDAY), WHICH WAS MUCH LIKE ALL OUR MORNINGS, WHERE HE'D PREFER TO SLEEP UNTIL NOON & JUDGED ME HARSHLY FOR WAKING HIM UP AT 5:00 AM TO START OUR DAY ]

UPDATE: MORE INFORMATION IN THE IMAGE[ FOUND DOG ]Some friends are visiting Quebec and found a lost dog. He is matted &...
08/18/2025

UPDATE: MORE INFORMATION IN THE IMAGE

[ FOUND DOG ]

Some friends are visiting Quebec and found a lost dog. He is matted & dirty and appears he's been on his own awhile.

He’s been scanned at the vet and microchipped but no owner information with the microchip. Local shelters will be contacted.

If you recognize this dog, please email: [email protected]

Proof of ownership will be required and identifying unique collar.

RIP Kelly ….
08/17/2025

RIP Kelly ….

[ 5 TIME Mattie's Place ADOPTERS! ]Since 2022 this beautiful couple have welcomed 5 Mattie's Place dogs into their famil...
08/17/2025

[ 5 TIME Mattie's Place ADOPTERS! ]

Since 2022 this beautiful couple have welcomed 5 Mattie's Place dogs into their family, the family includes a very, very, very senior resident dog.

The 1st, Lilly, is a bitey cranky chihuahua, but they embraced her nasty side and never looked back. She is thriving.

The 2nd was senior girl Lilibet who they had a wonderful year with and she passed from senior related issues.

The 3rd is a sweet, middle-aged, non problematic long haired chihuahua Chloe who is still the sweetest little bean.

The 4th was Daisy, a young BIG personality Min Pin that ruled the home. Sadly, she fell unexpectedly ill recently and though they fought to save her life in emerge, she succumbed to her illness.
(on the pillow in the adoption photo)

Yesterday, through the grief of loss over Daisy, with extended family lending all their love and support, Rose was welcomed into their home.

We all manage grief and pet loss differently; some never welcome another pet, some wait months or years, other need to pour all the love they have into another deserving life. There is no right or wrong way to grieve the loss of a pet. We all have our own unique journey through the pain.

Rose is officially adopted into this wonderful family and I'm thrilled for her.

Thank you Hayley for being a wonderful foster home for Rose until doption ready

(ROSE IN SITTING DAD'S ARMS CLOSEST TO THE DAISY PILLOW, LILLY MOVING LEFT, ORIGINAL RESIDENT DOG IN STANDING DAD'S ARMS, CHLOE IN STANDING DAD'S ARMS FURTHEST TO THE LEFT)

ADOPTION FEE: $875
MATTIES PLACE COST: $663.27

ROSE'S WELCOME POST:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19rV7VVvqn/g

[ YOU ALL ARE AMAZING! ]Since we have enough raised for Snickers and Bananaberry, the additional $1,386.66 raised today ...
08/16/2025

[ YOU ALL ARE AMAZING! ]

Since we have enough raised for Snickers and Bananaberry, the additional $1,386.66 raised today will be used towards Tokyo's vet care who is still admitted in the hospital.

WHAT HAPPENED TO TOKYO?

Catch up here: www.facebook.com/share/p/14HA9w93d7S/

[WOW - BANANABERRY FEELS THE LOVE]Thank you to my friend, Mattie's Place foster, Mattie's Place adopter, long time Matt...
08/16/2025

[WOW - BANANABERRY FEELS THE LOVE]

Thank you to my friend, Mattie's Place foster, Mattie's Place adopter, long time Mattie's Place supporter & probably the biggest Mattie's Place cheerleader! I appreciate your support so much!

WHAT HAPPENED TO BANANABERRY?

CATCH UP HERE: www.facebook.com/share/p/1AvQUyDqAL

[ AN EXPENSIVE PLAYTIME ]Snickers joined Mattie's Place end of May days away from being euthanized in his Ontario shelte...
08/16/2025

[ AN EXPENSIVE PLAYTIME ]

Snickers joined Mattie's Place end of May days away from being euthanized in his Ontario shelter.

He's a good dog, behaviourally & medically. The shelter just didn't have room to continue housing him. I couldn't find a foster so he joined trainer & fellow rescuer, Nicole Tryon & his boarding fee was sponsored June/July/August by a member of the public. Mattie's Place will begin to cover his boarding fee beginning September 1.

Snickers adoption fee is $1 thanks to the kindness of a previous Mattie's Place adopter who sponsored his adoption fee in lieu of wedding gifts to pay it forward!

This week, Snickers was tearing around the yard having a great ole' time and sliced his paw open quite badly. He needed surgical intervention to close it up and a follow up bandage change.

😁 COST FOR HIS PLAYTIME: $934.20 😁

Snickers is a nice light 50 pound snack and he's available for adoption: www.mattiesplace.ca/adopt

IF YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN TEAM SNICKERS:

🟠 CREDIT CARD: https://bit.ly/45D2jzG

🟠 E-transfer: [email protected]

🟠 SNAIL MAIL:
Mattie's Place
1468 Victoria Park Avenue
PO BOX 420
Toronto, ON
M4A 2M2

[ SURGERY FOR BANANABERRY WITH DR. PORTER MONDAY - TVEH ]Bananaberry arrived to Mattie's Place last Saturday when from a...
08/16/2025

[ SURGERY FOR BANANABERRY WITH DR. PORTER MONDAY - TVEH ]

Bananaberry arrived to Mattie's Place last Saturday when from a Canadian shelter where he had a euthanasia date the following day.

When agreeing to welcome him, it was as a behaviour dog that was "underweight" & not tolerating the shelter. Days later, before his arrival, he started a really bad nasal discharge & the shelter started him on high dose antibiotics.

He arrived Saturday and I admitted him into emergency care for his medical condition & to quarantine him. Upon further exam, a tumour was found beside his right tonsil in his throat.

This tumour blocks most food he tries to swallow, hence why he is severely emaciated.

Some cells were removed from the tumour & they did not find cancer, but the specialist do need to biopsy it to confirm it is not a cancerous mass.

With thanks to my friends at Tom&Sawyer Fresh Prepared Pet Meals, who donated a bag full of chef prepared, nutritionally balanced cooked dog food, I feed Bananaberry a small serving of pureed food almost around the clock. He eats a small amount and chokes & gags with every bite, so he gets frustrated with eating. But he trusts me and when I offer him the food, he takes a few bites but then gets frustrated with the struggle to eat & refuses more.

I wash, rinse, repeat this on the hour to save him from starvation because he can not spare to lose a single ounce of weight. This method is working, because he has gained almost 1/4 of a pound this week!

BANANABERRY'S BILL: from his emergency stay Saturday - Monday was: $3,585.55

BANANABERRY'S ESTIMATE: for his surgery this Monday is
$2,893.38 to $5,502.51 if there are no complications & he can go home same day or only requires a 1 night hospital stay. It will increase if anything changes from that plan.
___________________________
➡️➡️➡️ $6,478.93 - $9,088.06

Bananaberry can not survive without this surgery. We also don't know if he'll survive the surgery. And finally, we don't know what the mass will be that may indicate his life will also be shortened.

What I do know is I've been fostering this boy for 1 week. And though he's been a very naughty boy in the shelter and emergency care behaviourally, he's been nothing but an absolute gentleman in my home & I will fight for his life and funds raised or not he will received his surgery Monday.

Though he looks sickly, he's actually got quite a bit of pep in his step & he brightens up more & more each day!

If you'd like to join Team Bananaberry, please share, comment, like or donate:

💚 COST TO SAVE HIS LIFE: $6,478.93 - $9,088.06 💚 ($627.17 has been raised since his arrival Aug 9)

🟠 CREDIT CARD: https://bit.ly/45D2jzG

🟠 E-transfer: [email protected]

🟠 SNAIL MAIL:
Mattie's Place
1468 Victoria Park Avenue
PO BOX 420
Toronto, ON
M4A 2M2

Address

Toronto, ON
M1N 2V2

Telephone

416.551.7005

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mattie's Place posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Mattie's Place:

Shortcuts

Share

Category