Hello everyone, for those of you who do not know me my name is Toby and I was the resident at the Mayo SPCA sanctuary. I was found wandering just outside Cloonfad December 2015 and was put up for adoption on the MSPCA shelter when nobody came to claim me. In time however, I claimed my rightful place as Boss of the Shelter. I had a very important job here as head doggie and I was busy all day long cleaning out bowls and welcoming new guests. Yes, I am the dog who features in the famous MSPCA Instagram photo!
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Toby chilling April 2016
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Toby is exhausted by all the excitement of the Mayo match (September, 2016)
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Toby not impressed staying by the heat (December, 2017)
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Toby And Scout enjoying first bit of sun this year (January, 2018)
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Toby in February 2018
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In September 2018, Toby was happy to see the treat box was full again.
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Toby starts the day waiting and watching the gate for volunteers to come and bring him sausage 
(March, 2020)
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Toby, our Maître D at MSPCA, has the day off!!
He has been busy training the cats all week and is just supervising for today
Toby is not available for adoption as we need him to run the centre
(May, 2022)…
Toby, our Maître D at MSPCA, has the day off!!
He has been busy training the cats all week and is just supervising for today
Toby is not available for adoption as we need him to run the centre
(November, 2022)
Mo says: Toby is on the job 24/7 – especially if it’s FOOD!!!!!
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Nat says: Thought he was waiting for his dinner to be heated up 
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For Christmas 2022, Our Christmas cards our resident cat Harry and our resident dog Toby all hand drawn by the incredible @ink.bylyn
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Mayo SPCA had to say a very sad goodbye on Tuesday 25th February to Toby, the “real boss” at the shelter.
For 14 years, Toby has been the very heart of the shelter and for anyone who visits or volunteers regularly, he was the familiar face, inspector of bags and treats, watchful over the residents and aware of everyone who came and went on his watch. He could always be found where the action was. He took part in fundraising campaigns, meetings, decisions, greeted potential new owners of animals, inducted volunteers, supervised all cooking activities and let it be known by his presence that everyone in the shelter had the benefit of his presence and protection.
When dogs arrive at the shelter, the priority is to care for their immediate needs, get to know them and then look for the home and human(s) that will suit them best. For some animals, this might not always be possible or in their best interests. Some have been through so much that the shelter becomes their safe place. Toby’s story was unique in that he chose his life in the shelter. From the moment he arrived, he was meant to be there. If a lead was put on him, Toby would lie on the ground and refuse to walk (although he would trot along quite happily with his human friends). He was a dog who really, really knew his own mind and all around him loved and respected that. Toby found his joy and vocation with Marian and in the everyday world of the rescue and let it be known that he was perfectly happy where he was, thank you very much. He had his place high up in the pecking order of the other permanent feline and canine members of the shelter and anyone bringing in treats (especially sausages) for the dogs knew that he should not only be counted, but prioritised!
14 years is a long time but of course, in the case of all dogs, never long enough. During his wonderful life in the centre of the rescue, Toby met and won the hearts of so many people. His human was Marian, and he also had the wonderful experience of building his family around him as he knew and loved all volunteers and visitors.
We know that so many people will have memories of visits and chats with Toby and we are always delighted to hear them. He will forever be an integral part of the shelter and will never be forgotten
(March, 2025)…
Do you have any stories or memories of former Boss of the Shelter Toby?
Send us photos and paragraphs at any time to our email address, through our social media (Facebook or Instagram), or you can contact us through the form on the Contact Us page of this website!
