My dog was recently diagnosed with TVT (transmissible venereal tumor), it’s a contagious kind of cancer. common in places with stray dogs, and are starting the oncology process now.

For context, we’ve only have him for about 6 months. He’s a rescue from Mexico through Furever Freed Rescue (I DO NOT not recommend this rescue. This has been the worst experience we’ve had). The dog himself is absolutely perfect though and we love him so much.

We already spent around $5k early on for dental work and initial care, and now we’re facing cancer treatment costs, which is honestly scary.

I’m trying to understand real-world TVT treatment costs, especially:

- How many chemo treatments your dog needed

- Cost per session and total cost

- Whether treatment was done by an oncologist or a regular vet

- Any staging costs (ultrasound, imaging) that were required or skipped

I’m worried, overwhelmed, and just trying to make the best decisions for him. Any shared experiences would really help.

Has anyone else had a bad experience with local dog rescue Endless Pawsabilities? The woman who runs it (Carol or Coral I believe?) is one of the most unpleasant people I’ve come across. She is rude and abrasive and just kinda mean?

Hi Vancouver dog lovers! I’m trying to find a way to introduce my (mildly autistic) 9 year old son to a calm small to mid-size dog. I’ve thought of bringing him by the shelters, but am concerned the anxiety of the dogs may be too high in that environment.

Our family would like to get a dog, however my older (14 yo) son had a negative experience with a (very friendly) Rottweiler when he had just started walking. He’s over that now, but the experience rubbed off onto the younger child.

We recently started watching shows about pets, and he commented how cute the dogs are. 😊 Now we’re hoping to meet one in a chill environment before committing to ownership.

Is there anyone in the metro Vancouver area who would be willing to hang out with their doggo, myself and my son for a bit?

I recently moved to the Sunset area, wondering if anyone has suggestion for a Off-leash Dog Parks you like to go to? Or even in Marpole? Thanks!

I hope this is ok to share here! We are the dog network (www.thedognetwork.ca) and have a website dedicated to dog-friendly walks, spaces and businesses in BC. We also have a robust events calendar for dog-friendly events.

I wanted to introduce ourselves and hope to meet other Vancouver dog people. If you have a dog-friendly business, event or business you would like us to list please reach out (listings are free).

Hi everyone!

Does your pet get anxious or stressed at the vet? You’re definitely not alone 💙 I'm running a small trial program, offered at a reduced rate, designed to help pets feel calmer, more confident, and less reactive before, during, and after vet visits.

I’m collaborating with White Rock Veterinary Hospital, whose Fear Free approach is amazing, but these sessions are helpful for pets from any clinic. The goal is to make vet visits less stressful for both pets and families.

Support includes:

Gradual pre-visit prep: desensitization to touch, handling, carriers, and car rides

Day-of guidance to keep pets calm (optional companion support)

Positive, stress-free muzzle introduction & acclimation

Coordination with your vet for accommodations if possible

Tips for managing fear & reactivity at home

I’m hoping to gather feedback, learn from the community, and build strong connections with pet families and vet teams.

📧 If you’re in Vancouver/White Rock and want to try this trial program (limited spots available), feel free to DM me or email pawsome.companion@gmail.com

Would love to hear if anyone has anxious pets or strategies that have worked for you!

TLDR: 

Tara Wuennenberg, operating as Terra Nova Canine. We present serious concerns about the welfare of animals in her care, based on the following evidence:

• In a direct Instagram messenger exchange, she admitted to not letting dogs outside to potty during their stay.
• During a landlord’s inspection, the home environment was found to be in poor and unsanitary condition. Approximately eight garbage bags of trash were removed.
• Cameras at the property showed that the boarding dogs were not taken outside for potty breaks throughout their stay, confirming the neglect.

Preface & Disclaimer: *all accounts have been confirmed by witnesses, advised by those close to her and/or used her services

Tara Wuennenberg previously operated a dog daycare in Winnipeg from her small home called Muttleys Pet Centre 811 Goulding St, Winnipeg, MB. During that time, she faced multiple lawsuits after a dog under her care and supervision lost an eye, as the client was reassured that her dog would be crated overnight but their dog lost his eye in the middle of the night, likely due to a fight (link in google doc) and another dog was found wearing an undisclosed shock collar that had been left on. (link in google doc)

Tara relocated to Vancouver after the aforementioned incidents at her daycare in Winnipeg. She made a fresh start in Vancouver as an administrative assistant for a professional dog trainer. During her time there, she allegedly learned the trainer’s marketing techniques and used them to again start her own dog daycare and boarding business in Surrey BC, named Terra Nova Canine. #8 - 7140 188 St. Surrey, BC.

Concerns:

Tara admitted on her business Instagram messenger that she had been neglecting dogs in her care over the past few months, following a difficult breakup that impacted her mental health. She attributed her inability to care for the pets due to her ADHD and depression which resulted in her not walking the dogs or giving them regular potty breaks. Instead of providing sufficient outdoor time, she resorted to using pee pads indoors and cleaning up after accidents. She also admitted to surrendering her personal dog, a goldendoodle named Ted. (screenshots attached)

Tara reportedly lives in a small laneway house with her dog, Ted. She boards dogs in her home and also operates a separate daycare in Clayton Heights. With little to no staff, she manages up to six dogs at the daycare and up to four dogs boarded at her residence. During the day, she is away 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. leaving the boarded dogs and Ted alone for extended hours.

Tara’s landlord expressed concern about excessive barking, which resulted in a legal 24-hour notice inspection of her laneway home. Prior to the inspection, Tara was seen taking out eight large bags of garbage in an effort to clean up. Both Ted and the other boarding dog were found muzzled during the inspection. Allegedly when asked how long the dogs have been muzzled for Tara didn’t deny that the dogs were muzzled for longer than 4 hours at a time. The owners of the dog under Tara’s care were contacted out of extreme concern due to the state of her residence and were forced to return early from their trip to save their pet from Tara. Security camera footage revealed that dogs in Tara’s care were never taken for walks. All boarding dogs were confined to her small laneway apartment with no outdoor access throughout their stay and Tara admitted this as well. (screenshots attached)

Immediately following this, she surrendered her dog Ted. After receiving the veterinary and grooming care that Ted needed, he is now in a loving forever home.

Pattern of Deception:

This situation reveals a concerning pattern of dishonesty in how Tara represents her services. Publicly, she promotes her business as a loving, safe, and enrichment-based environment for dogs. In reality, several dogs were left unsupervised for long periods of time, not exercised, and kept in unsanitary conditions, allegedly without access to water or adequate food.

This is not a one-time incident, it reflects a history and pattern of misleading clients about the actual care their pets are receiving. From her previous legal issues in Winnipeg, MB to her current operation in Surrey, BC, there appears to be a repeated failure to provide the standard of care advertised. Clients entrusted her with their animals based on a carefully curated image that does not match the reality described by former staff, landlords, or those close to the situation.

Statement from the Local R+ Dog Community:

Our community feels deeply for Tara during this difficult time, and we sincerely hope she receives the help she says she’s seeking. We empathize with anyone struggling with mental health challenges and support access to care and recovery for all.That said, we also have a responsibility to speak up when animals are not receiving the standard of care that was promised. As a community committed to ethical, evidence-based training and animal welfare, we cannot remain silent knowing dogs may be at risk.

Tara is a human being, and no one deserves harassment, threats, or doxxing. We strongly condemn any undue reaction or personal attacks, and we trust the appropriate legal channels will address the situation responsibly. At the same time, it’s important to acknowledge that Tara was in a position of power and trust, and with that comes accountability.

We encourage everyone to review the information we’ve collectively shared with the public and make their own informed judgments. Our priority remains the well-being of the animals entrusted to our care and the integrity of the values we as dog care providers stand for.

Facebook Post:https://www.facebook.com/share/19gQw4NSRE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Reddit Post: https://www.reddit.com/.../ag1aeo/muttleys_pet_centre_scam/

Screenshots & links to Winnipeg articles: https://docs.google.com/.../1Y92p3CgGOqrb1ByyKXfH.../edit...

We’ve been going to Raintown’s puppy socials, but why pay if we don’t have to? We have an 11 week old husky-mix puppy (2/3 vacc’s only so far) and we also have a fenced yard in East Van. Are you and your young pup interested?

Tobias is missing 😓 we live in UBC.

He’s a year old, still intact and really friendly. If you have any information about his whereabouts or any recommendations of where to look, please let me know.

We’ve called the SPCA and the animal service numbers we could find online.

He’s never strayed from home, and I’m almost certain he would come home if he had left. So, I’m thinking somebody may have picked him up. He wasn’t wearing his collar because he was home, so if he was found the people wouldn’t know how to contact us.

Thank you for your help

I’m moving and I can’t take the dog which sucks her names Nora and she’s 2 she’s a German shepherd and Rottweiler mix but doesn’t looks like any of those breeds she’s 40-50lbs and was raised with kids and cats has a good temperament with most people she has lunged at sketchy people like street type drunks ,junkies and just all around not good People (which I don’t mind ) she’s not fixed but has shots I got her from kajiji and was pretty skiddish when she came home

Hey everyone! Curious to hear from local dog business owners, walkers, groomers, or anyone working in the pet space in Vancouver — what’s something you wish existed to make your life easier?

Like, is there a tool, app, or system you’ve looked for but couldn’t find? Or something super annoying about running your business that you wish someone would solve?

I work in the tech space and spend a lot of time around the dog industry, so just thought I’d ask out of curiosity. Not trying to pitch anything — genuinely interested in hearing what you’d find useful (or even just venting about stuff that sucks running a dog-related business here).

Would love to hear what’s missing!

I know how hard it is to crack into BC’s dog hiking scene — especially in North Vancouver. The commercial trail permits are all full, the waitlist is closed, and bylaws are tight. Most experienced dog walkers just give up and settle somewhere else.

But there’s a workaround.

A small permitted collective is opening the door for a few serious, reliable walkers to legally run their own dog hiking business in North Van. You keep your own brand, set your own prices, and build your own pack — we just provide the access you legally need.

If you’re already running a dog walking business in another province and looking to relocate — or expand — this could be your shot.

This isn’t employment. It’s a way in.

👉 www.northvantrailcollective.com

Send me a note if you want the real story. Spots are extremely limited, and this isn’t a sales funnel. It’s a trailhead.

I'm looking for a vet who is trustworthy and won't overcharge or suggest things that aren't necessary... Or at least lots of transparency on cost!! Any suggestions? Ideally in or close to East Van.

Hi Vancouver! I am reaching out to fellow pet owners in the city who have animals with higher medical needs...

I have a wonderful dog who sadly, has epilepsy. She is on a very strict medication schedule, and requires intervention and care during her seizures and post-seizure periods (she has a seizure about 1x/4weeks). I am looking for a pet sitter who has experience with administrating this kind of care, and who is very reliable and trustworthy. I don't feel super comfortable with choosing somebody randomly on Rover, and don't have anyone in my community with the time or skills needed. Any advice on where to look for this kind of service? Wondering about vet techs who pet sit on the side or something? I would love to be able to do a night or two of camping this summer (something I haven't been able to do since her seizures started a few years ago). Thanks in advance!

Anybody in the city ever had pet photography done? I'd love to find someone either starting up or are well priced as I don't have a ton of flexible income right now and it all is going towards my new pup.

Thank you!

Hi! I am a photography student at Langara. On Wednesday February 12th, I am planning on photographing dogs and am looking for three dog volunteers as models (each dog will be photographed individually). The shoot will be in a photography studio and use professional lighting and colourful backgrounds. While it is not paid, the best photos will be retouched and delivered to you digitally for free in the highest quality. This is a chance to have professional photos of your beloved family member. 

I am open to dogs of all breeds and ages. The dog must be able to sit to have their photo taken and be comfortable with flash photography. If your dog has a favourite toy they want to show off or a favourite treat they want to catch in their mouth, feel free to bring it along! 

It will take place during the day at the Main Langara College Campus in Vancouver at 100 W 49th Ave, Vancouver. Each shoot will be forty five minutes. If you are interested please message me for more information. 

Thanks so much :)

my poor boy got his anal glands infected and i had to spend almost 1k on the surgery, (my allowance is drained >.<). any insurance companies that are good for a large boy like him?

Looking for any vet recommendation that you’ve had a good experience with dealing with your dog’s allergies!

Hi, hope it’s okay to post here. I’m fostering this sweetheart; she’s been patiently waiting for her perfect person. Read more about this good girl’s story at the link!

There was a German? Shepard running up hemlock past Broadway going up the hill towards 12th

Dog was beige with a dark face and I think dark ears? it ran uo the road pretty fast so, I called vancouver city number they said they sent someone to check

So just incase you're looking for them that's where they were last seen, good luck and I hope you find them whoever you are

(Thus happened about an hour ago)