Chino needs your help 

Ingrid Castro, the founder of Toronto Dog Moms, lives the mission she’s set: “to bring together like-minded dog moms, dads, and their pups to connect and inspire each other.” From first aid lessons, treat recipes to unique dog-themed apparel and toys, Ingrid works tirelessly to advocate for the health and happiness of our dogs.

For years she has been doing all that she can to help us; today it’s our turn to help her. Recently, Ingrid and her family received some heart-wrenching news about their beloved dog, Chino.

Here she explains what has transpired so far:

“Chino has experienced mass cell tumors before, and I have made a point to check him head to toe on a regular basis. On a recent check, I noticed lumps on his neck and called our vet for an appointment. On August 11, 2021, we went in and our vet let us know that we would have results in a couple of days. That Friday I received a phone call from our vet in which he diagnosed Chino with Lymphoma ( a form of cancer). We were given the details for a specialist at Central Toronto Veterinary Referral Clinic. On Thursday, August 19th we took Chino in to get a consult and were faced with decisions about the next steps, median survival times, and success rates of various options. I didn’t hesitate to fight for my best friend to have the care he required to survive and fight. We were given a 25-week plan to do weekly chemotherapy appointments and various medications at home for him. He has also been given several restrictions and his food has also been changed to a veterinary formula. We are hopeful that we caught the growth early on to give him a fighting chance. Chino has been the driving force behind everything I do from starting my own dog walking company to launching Toronto Dog Moms. He’s been my co-worker, the model for our content, and has even volunteered at senior homes to bring joy to those who need it. This has been the most emotional and difficult couple of weeks, but I remain hopeful that he is getting the best treatment and care. “

When Ingrid told me about Chino’s diagnosis, my first reaction was "how can we help?" And I really meant "we," because I know that any Dog Mom would want to help the woman who has given us so much.

With Ingrid’s permission, I am trying to raise funds to support Chino’s care, including any needed vet bills, medication, and aftercare. I know this is a big ask, but if you can spare some money to support Ingrid and Chino, any help would be appreciated.

We all know what it’s like to face scary news about our beloved pets; one way to ease anxiety and fear is to have a support system. And if a donation is not possible at the moment, I absolutely understand. You can still help by sharing this fundraising and sending messages of love and support.

Together, we can rally to help a fellow Dog Mom out.

Estimate from the specialist clinic