Northern Dogs Project - Quebec, Canada June 2006

There are so many naturally gorgeous places in Canada, that it didn’t surprise us too much when we were met by the stunning beauty of this northern region. Endless spruce forests spread out on a sea of rolling hills, pink and purple wildflowers lining the quiet roads, and huge, quiet lakes surrounded by sandy beaches.
 
Soon after our arrival in one of the communities, we jumped out of the vans to admire the lake view and stretch our legs. Off in the hazy distance, a golden retriever was running along the beach toward us. His long hair flying wildly, water streaming from his thick coat and a big stick secured in his jowls. He had the look of nirvana that only a retriever can achieve in a scene like that.
 
Then we saw another dog. And another. And another. Time to go to work.
 
The project now involves seven Cree communities across northern Quebec, including Mistissini, Ouje Bougamou, Waswanipi, Nemaska, Eastmain, Chisasibi and Waskaganish. In each community, IFAW’s project manager Jan Hannah works closely with the local Public Safety Officer and other community leaders to make sure the program addresses specific needs and has community support and involvement. In the future, the goal is to expand the project to address similar needs in other remote communities across Canada.
 
Overall at our vet clinics this summer, we performed 74 spays, 95 neuters and 211 vaccinations. That is almost a 50 percent increase from the previous year. In total, we provided vet care for 381 dogs and cats in six different communities. While most of the care was for spays, neuters or vaccination, the vets also provided a wide variety of general services, such as dental care for a dog with a badly broken tooth, the delicate removal of porcupine quills from a very sore and swollen snout, and a serious grooming operation for a very matted Lhasa apso. We ended this year’s clinics knowing that we provided relief to both animals and pet owners.