Toby's Pack aims to reduce shelter surrenders

Toby’s Pack: K9 Rehab and Rehoming Founder and Board Chair Becky Frame said the idea of helping dogs came because of one very special dog and the promise she whispered to him.

Some dogs come along and steal pieces of your heart a little more than others. To Becky and her family, Toby was one that bonded a little more to their family. He was one whose absence left a bigger hole.

Becky and her husband Brian were moving from the suburbs to Fresno to make their dreams come true, and the future looked bright. Everything changed quickly when a health crisis forced them to say goodbye to Toby.

As the family struggled with their grief, someone suggested Becky donate a newly opened bag of dog food to their local animal shelter. She remembers whispering, “We’re going to go help some dogs, little buddy.”

“I never had a reason to visit the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center, and what I found there added more pain to an already raw heart,” Frame said. “So many dogs. They clamored at the bars as I walked by with my meager offering — Toby’s final unfinished bag of kibble. Their eyes begged for so much more than the little bit of nourishment I brought.

“Someday, Toby, we will help with more than food. Even if we only save one dog, it will be worth it.”

In September 2025 the rescue was incorporated, and they received their nonprofit status in November.

Frame said she didn’t want Toby’s Pack to be just another dog rescue as so many of them already operate in the state.

“I wanted our mission to serve a specialized purpose, but I wasn’t sure what until I worked for a couple of years as a dog trainer for a great local company. I learned a ton about dog behavior, but I also learned that many of our clients were at the end of their leash, so to speak, when they finally reached out for help,” Frame said.

Frame also learned many dogs that are brought to shelters might not have ended up there if they had proper training. Toby’s Pack focuses on education.

“By providing affordable access to information regarding puppyhood, breed selection, canine behavior and responsible dog ownership, we hope to get ahead of the influx of dogs into shelters and rescues,” Frame said.

They also are partnering with shelters to help with training the dogs they have in custody and promoting the dogs through their social media networks for more exposure.

“The goal is to provide some of their longer-term residents a foundation of good manners that will make them more interesting to potential adopters,” Frame said.

Toby’s Pack also offers training scholarship vouchers to adopters of select dogs.

“The idea is to make sure the new owners have the best support available to ensure a successful adoption,” Frame said. “This keeps dogs from returning to the shelter while they are adjusting to their new life when behavior concerns can be exacerbated by the change.”

Toby’s Pack also is able to take dogs who are at risk for euthanasia for behaviors.

“We don’t work with severe cases or truly aggressive dogs, but because of training resources at our disposal, we are able to help with some dogs that would otherwise not get a second chance,” Frame said.

The volunteers go to the shelters to work with the dogs, so housing is not an issue. However, the rescue does have a growing list of foster families who are willing to work with the dogs.

“Our team works closely with these volunteers to make sure they have the education and support to work with the dogs in their care,” Frame said.

Each dog that is referred to Toby’s Pack is carefully assessed, and a plan for training is created based on that assessment.

“This is not a one-size-fits-all program,” Frame said. “The rescue’s primary mission is to find ways to keep dogs from being surrendered to shelters in the first place.”

Frame said the rescue has several fundraising plans in place and hopes to raise enough money to provide 12 training scholarships for adopting families in the area. There are ways to donate and to purchase items in support of Toby’s Pack on its website at www.tobyspack.weebly.com.

“Our long-term goal, however, is to have access to a facility where we can house and train dogs within our program. That will be a significant financial need and will be our focus in the coming years,” Frame said.