Reaching Out to Dogs in Northern Canada

First Nations communities in northern Canada share a close traditional relationship with the dog. The dog is considered a special companion, a fellow hunter and a workmate. However, these communities are often so remote they have little or no access to veterinary care. The lack medical care for dogs has led to overpopulation and serious problems such as dog packs, bites and disease.

Some communities have tried “dog shoot days” to deal with the problem. If a dog is not tied up on the designated day, it is shot. Dog shoot days are a controversial last resort that causes psychological distress to the individuals who must perform the task – often the public safety officers.

Northern communities are seeking effective, humane solutions that will allow dogs and humans to co-exist.

In 2002, IFAW’s Canadian office began researching the need for a program to address dog overpopulation in First Nations communities in Northern Canada. We soon realized that the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) Canada was developing a pilot program with the James Bay Cree Nation.

The Nation is located on the east side of James Bay in the province of Quebec. Nine individual communities with a total population of approximately 14,000 make up the James Bay Cree Nation: Waswanapi, Ouje-Bougoumou, Misstissini, Nemaska, Waskaganish, Wemindji, Eastmain, Chisaibi and Whapmagoostui.

In November 2002, IFAW met with WSPA Canada to discuss their approach and determine if it was compatible with IFAW’s community-led model, which has been successful elsewhere in the world. IFAW accompanied WSPA on community visits in January and June 2003, and on the basis of those two successful trips, IFAW and WSPA agreed to work together on this pilot program, along with the Kindness Clubs of Canada and the public safety officers from each community.

We chose two communities in which to pilot the dog spay and neuter program: Nemaska and Waskaganish.