What Toby's Smile Taught Us About Transparency

At The Crossings Animal Society, we believe adoption is built on trust. That means giving adopters the clearest picture possible of a pet's health, behavior, and history—not because every answer is available, but because informed adopters are better prepared to give animals successful, lifelong homes.

Toby's story is a great example of why that matters.

When Sarah and her family began looking for a companion for their Cocker Spaniel, Ruby, they immediately fell for a three-year-old Cockapoo/Cocker Spaniel mix named Ollie. After a successful meet-and-greet, Ollie—now Toby—joined the family.

"It felt like a perfect fit that was meant to be," Sarah told us. "I had a gut feeling he was going to be a good fit for us."

She was right.

Within days, Toby had settled beautifully into his new home. But during his required post-adoption veterinary exam, Sarah learned that his dental disease was much more advanced than anyone realized. He would need surgery right away.

While Toby's records indicated he had dental issues, neither we nor his adopters knew how extensive they were until he was examined by his veterinarian. It's a reminder that shelter medical records, while invaluable, don't always tell the complete story.

As outlined in our adoption agreement, Sarah contacted us immediately. Because Toby had only recently been adopted, The Crossings Animal Society stepped in to cover 90% of his dental surgery through Boris & Natasha's Fund.

In early June, Toby underwent surgery to remove six painful teeth. Today he's recovering comfortably at home, feeling better than he has in a long time—and, according to Sarah, he's still just as handsome and happy as ever.

Toby's experience reinforced something we already believed: transparency isn't about perfection. Rescue organizations and shelters often work with limited information while caring for an overwhelming number of animals. Sometimes medical or behavioral concerns don't become fully apparent until after an animal leaves the shelter.

That's why we believe adopters should never hesitate to ask questions—about medical history, behavior, previous veterinary care, and what support a rescue provides after adoption. Those conversations help families prepare emotionally and financially, and they build stronger, more successful adoptions.

At The Crossings Animal Society, we also believe our commitment doesn't end when an adoption contract is signed. When unexpected challenges arise, we want our adopters to know they're not alone.

We're incredibly grateful to the donors who make Boris & Natasha's Fund possible. Because of your generosity, Toby received the care he needed without placing an unexpected financial burden on his new family. That support not only gave Toby a healthier, pain-free future—it helped ensure that a wonderful adoption stayed exactly where it belonged: together.