Ontario SPCA Spay North project helps curb pet overpopulation and health
Ontario SPCA
Monday, March 06, 2006
NEWMARKET, ON, (March 6, 2006) – On February 13, 2006, the Ontario SPCA Spay North team flew to the First Nation Community of Kashechewan to provide veterinary services to the community’s animal population. The project resulted in the spaying, neutering, vaccination and deworming of over 100 cats and dogs.
The eight-member team, lead by Ontario SPCA Senior Inspector Alison McAllister, included a veterinarian, veterinary technicians and Ontario SPCA animal care staff. During the five-day project veterinary team members vaccinated and dewormed 119 cats and dogs. Of these, 104 were spayed and neutered (34 dogs spayed and 57 neutered; 7 cats spayed and 6 neutered) – almost double the number from the first Spay North project in November, 2004 in the northern communities of Moose Factory and Moosonee.
“I believe this project was a huge success,” says McAllister. “We believe there is a significant dog overpopulation problem in isolated northern communities because of the lack of available veterinary service. By spaying and neutering the dogs and cats we have effectively contributed to the dog overpopulation issue as well as the health and well being of the animals and the community residents. Dog fights over females in heat will decrease and disease control in the community has now been implemented through the vaccinations and deworming.”
Team veterinarian, Dr. Lawrence Woodley of the Georgina Veterinary Clinic, says of the project: “We made a difference for sure. I really feel we made an impact. The 91 dog spays and neuters that were performed will significantly curtail the dog overpopulation issue. Because of this project fewer dogs will be left homeless and starving in the cold of northern Ontario.” Doctor Woodley says he is very “pumped” about the Spay North experience and is on board for the next one.
The team also brought back 29 animals – two adult cats, five kittens, eight adult dogs and 14 puppies – which were surrendered to the Ontario SPCA and taken to its facilities and the Lincoln County Humane Society. The animals will eventually be available for adoption.
“It is important for people to know that the success of this project is due in large part to Pam Armstrong – a teacher in the community. She was responsible for the organization and implementation of the program in the community, and without her this would not have happened. Pam was also instrumental in caring for the dog population during the water crisis that caused the evacuation of most of the animals’ owners – many of these animals owe their lives to her efforts.”
Many generous supporters were involved with Spay North 2006. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) provided financial assistance as well as a donation of vaccines, and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), Sir Sandford Fleming College and members of the public provided financial support. Additionally, the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society donated supplies such as cages and outdoor kennels, and the Lincoln County Humane Society provided staff to go to Kashechewan and agreed to shelter some of the dogs that were brought back.
“There are at least two more northern communities interested in running a Spay North program, but we will need to seek additional donations and support in order to carry out these programs,” says McAllister. “But it is possible. The animal welfare community and the public have now joined forces twice to help the animals in these isolated northern communities, so there is no reason to think it can’t happen again.”
To view photos from the 2006 Spay North project in Kashechewan click here.
To make a donation to the Ontario SPCA’s Spay North initiative call Cathy at 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) ext. 322.
To report suspected animal abuse call the Ontario SPCA at 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) ext. 1, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), your local Ontario SPCA Branch, affiliated humane society or police.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Alison McAllister, Ontario SPCA Senior
Inspector and Spay North Team Leader,
(705) 566-9582,
email: apsnorth@hotmail.com
or
Christine Arnett, Director of Communications,
(905)
898-7122/1-888-668-7722,
ext. 305,
email: carnett@ospca.on.ca.
A word about the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA):
The Ontario SPCA, with 27 Branches and 31 affiliated humane societies and SPCAs, is unique amongst animal welfare organizations in Ontario: the Ontario SPCA Act mandates the Society to enforce animal cruelty laws and provides Society investigators with police powers to do so. The Society is a registered charity, relying on donations to fund animal protection, care and rehabilitation for all animals, government and industry advocacy and public education.
The Ontario SPCA is a member of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) and is affiliated with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
Charitable Business Number 88969 1044 RR0002
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