Redemption Paws
| Formation | September 2017 |
|---|---|
| Type | Charity |
| Registration no. | 795539311 RR 0001 |
| Purpose | Dog rescue |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
CEO | Nicole Simone |
| Website | redemptionpaws |
Redemption Paws is a Canadian dog rescue charity based in Toronto that was established in 2017.
Organization
In September 2017, CBC News reported that Redemption Paws transported 39 dogs from Houston, Texas to Ontario following Hurricane Harvey, with the animals temporarily housed at the Ontario SPCA facility in Stouffville.[1]
Redemption Paws is a Toronto-based non-profit[2] and charity[3][4] that relocates dogs from countries affected by climate change, natural disaster, or canine overpopulation.[5] The organisation was founded in September 2017.[6]
Program and Operations
A Reader's Digest article[7] reported the efforts of Redemption Paws, stating that the organization had completed two missions to Houston, successfully bringing 63 homeless pups into Canada, and giving them another shot at life. The article detailed the efforts of Canadians rescuing homeless dogs from Hurricane Harvey, and mentioned Nicole Simone, the CEO of Redemption Paws as a long-time animal shelter volunteer.
In 2020, The Toronto Sun reported that Redemption Paws sought clarification from federal authorities regarding cross-border animal rescue during COVID-19, after which federal guidance was clarified to allow rescue organizations to continue transporting animals across the Canada–United States border.[8][9]
In 2021, the organisation rescued Elevado, a U.S. dog that was paralysed by a gunshot.[10][11] During the COVID-19 pandemic[12] the organization had a surplus of dogs up for adoption and launched Streamlined Adoption Month in August 2021.[13]
In a March 2022 Toronto Star investigation, over 24 sources, including 19 staff and ex-volunteers, including a former executive director, reported concerns about the practices the organisation.[5] An April 2022 Toronto Star investigative report profiled the experience of one rescue dog and the Redemption Paws "Dogs From Away" project, which sent rescue dogs to Newfoundland.[14]
In 2024 Redemption Paws announced that it had hit a milestone of rescuing over 4000 dogs.[15] In early 2026 Redemption Paws announced that it had rescued over 402 dogs and cats (365 dogs, 37 cats) in 2025 through its community based foster program. The 2025 rescue activity included animals taken into care from Ontario as well as from parts of the United States where shelter overcrowding is significant. Redemption Paws operates without a physical shelter, relying on volunteer foster homes and partner veterinary clinics for animal care.[16]
References
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/houston-dogs-arrival-toronto-area-redemption-paws-1.4284462
- ^ "Redemption Paws | Dog Adoption & Foster | Change a Dog's Life Forever". Redemption Paws. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
federally registered Canadian charity and not-for-profit
- ^ Pagliaro, Jennifer (2022-04-08). "How the unregulated dog rescue industry has spelled disaster for some". thestar.com. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ Musselman, John (2020-06-02). "How Canada-U.S. travel restrictions are affecting dog rescue charities". Toronto. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ a b Yang, Jennifer (2022-03-02). "How a Toronto dog rescue's quest to save animals has led to painful consequences for dogs and the people who love them". thestar.com. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "About | Redemption Paws | Help Change a Dog's Life Forever". Redemption Paws. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "How Canadians Are Rescuing Homeless Dogs from Hurricane Harvey". Redemption Paws. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/lilley-let-the-puppies-cross-or-theyll-be-euthanized
- ^ https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/lilley-a-wagging-tale-of-a-story-to-put-a-smile-on-your-face
- ^ "Dog deliberately shot in Texas now up for adoption in Toronto". www.blogto.com. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ Yang, Jennifer (2022-03-02). "'This is not right:' Behind the bitter fight for one of Toronto's most high-profile rescue dogs". thestar.com. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ Zura, David (25 June 2021). "CityNews". toronto.citynews.ca. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ O'Brien, Cormac. "I Adopted A Dog In Toronto & It Only Took Me A Month From Start To Finish (PHOTOS) – Narcity". www.narcity.com. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ Jennifer, Yang (April 30, 2022). "A Toronto charity claimed it was sending rescue dogs to the east coast for a 'better chance at life.' Here's what really happened to one of the 'difficult' dogs they sent away". Toronto Star. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/markets-news/Newswire.ca/29074046/redemption-paws-reaches-milestone-4000-dogs-rescued-and-counting/
- ^ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/markets-news/GetNews/36867593/redemption-paws-closes-the-year-having-saved-402-animals-through-community-led-rescue/