Four puppies abandoned in northern Ont. rescued, rehomed

On New Year's Day, France Gingras and Kevin Sydock had gone for a drive on the backroads near Markstay-Warren to look at the local wildlife when they came upon four puppies in the middle of the road.

Four puppies were discovered abandoned in the cold on January 1, 2025, near Markstay-Warren, Ont. (Photo taken from video)

Gingras said there was no one in sight and there are no nearby homes in the area.

“Our hearts were shattered thinking someone could have left four pups,” she said, in an email to CTV News on Thursday.

“Between two and probably four months old.”

The pair said the animals appeared to be malnourished – but were “so happy” to see them.

France Gingras and Kevin Sydock discovered four puppies abandoned on a backroad near Markstay-Warren, Ont., on January 1, 2025. The pair took the pups into their truck to get warm before bring them home. One of the puppies is pictured here in the truck. (Supplied/France Gingras)

“We took them in our truck and brought them home,” said Gingras.

“(We) fed them and brought them in to warm them up.”

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The two contacted the SPCA to report the act of animal cruelty.

While waiting to hear back from local animal control resources Gingras posted a short video and the details of their encounter in a Verner Facebook group and the social media post was shared dozens of times.

In less than four hours, all the puppies had found good homes.

“I’m so happy for them as they will be in a warm place tonight and not on the side of the road where we found them cold and hungry,” Gingras wrote in her social media update.

Four puppies were discovered abandoned in the cold on January 1, 2025, near Markstay-Warren, Ont. (Photo taken from video)

The pair said they want to thank everyone that offered to help and shared their post.

“We are so grateful for the families that opened up their heart to these cuties,” they said – adding their thanks for all those who have reached out since to ensure the pups are alright.

“What started out as a heartless journey for these pups ended up as one with a beautiful future ahead,” said Gingras.

“For that we will always be grateful.”