ABOUT BACKSTREET PAWS RESCUE
How It All Started
My journey into rescue began with a trembling little dog I met at a spay and neuter clinic in Mexico where I volunteered. She was fragile, painfully thin, and carried the quiet signs of a past no animal should ever have to face. Yet even in her fear, she showed a remarkable willingness to trust the humans trying to help her.
In that moment, I knew she was meant to come home with me.
My family and I named her Layla, and from the day she curled up in our arms, she became the heart of our home. Her resilience and gentle spirit changed my life in ways I never expected.
Layla inspired a promise that I would dedicate myself to helping other dogs in need: those who had been abused or abandoned, those waiting in shelters with nowhere else to go, and those simply overlooked and longing for a chance. That promise became the foundation of our rescue.
Every dog deserves safety, compassion, and a second chance.
You can’t change a dog’s past, but you can help rewrite their future.
Adopt a dog, and you don’t just save a life…
you transform it.
Marlene Collins, Founder
Our Mission
Backstreet Paws Rescue is a registered non-profit, volunteer-driven organization built on one simple belief: every dog matters. No matter their size, age, past, or circumstances, every dog deserves to be safe, loved, and given a real chance at a happy life.
We rescue dogs from overcrowded shelters, local owner surrenders, and remote communities in Northern Ontario, where many are left behind simply because help is hard to reach. Some are big, some are small, some are shy, scared, or broken by neglect but to us, they are all worthy of compassion and hope.
Our volunteers work tirelessly to provide each dog with gentle care, proper veterinary support, and a warm, loving foster home where healing can begin. We see beyond labels and statistics, focusing instead on the heart and potential within every dog.
Too many lives are lost each year because they were never given a chance. We are committed to standing in the gap for those dogs advocating for them, protecting them, and giving them the time they need to find their forever family.
At Backstreet Paws Rescue, we believe in second chances, unconditional love, and brighter futures.
We are here to change lives one dog at a time, regardless of size.
Our Passion for Pets
At Backstreet Paws Rescue, we believe that pets are more than just animals they are family. They offer unconditional love, companionship, and joy, and in return, they deserve care, respect, and a safe, happy home.
Every dog we rescue becomes a cherished member of our extended family, and we are committed to ensuring they feel loved, valued, and secure.
We know that the bond between humans and animals is transformative, and we strive to help every dog experience the comfort, trust, and belonging that every family member deserves.