Veterinarian group aims to improve care in the North
U of S is part of organization that seeks solutions to the issue of roaming dogs
The veterinary college at the University of Saskatchewan is part of a new interprovincial group formed to tackle the issue of roaming dogs in northern and remote communities.
Four of Canada’s five veterinary colleges are participating in the group, which operates under Veterinarians Without Borders. Participants say it aims to address gaps in veterinarian access by combining resources and sharing best practices.
“There is great benefit to coming together, because there’s a lot of sharing ... But also in terms of being able to access funding, you’re stronger in numbers,” said VWB’s senior program manager, Monique Charron. “If you need any kind of vaccination or drugs ... when you’re asking for it as a group like this, you have a bit more clout.”
Roaming animals are an issue in some of Saskatchewan’s remote communities. An organized dog rescue removed close to 100 animals from the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and its surrounding communities over the weekend.
On Tuesday, John Machiskinic, chief of the Yellow Quill First Nation, said his community is dealing with safety issues caused by 20 to 30 roaming dogs. He said Yellow Quill is looking for an agency to remove them. The alternative is a cull.
While a unified front between VWB and the four colleges is positive, Charron said it’s important to ensure efforts are communityled. With representatives from Alberta, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan involved, participating members will have access to a range of experiences in remote communities.
The University of Saskatchewan’s
There is great benefit to coming together, because there’s a lot of sharing ...
Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) hosts two clinics in La Ronge each year.
Jordan Woodsworth, a clinical associate in wellness and preventive medicine in the department of small animal clinical sciences, said while the remote clinics have had a positive effect on individual families, animals and public education, they are a “drop in the bucket” for addressing the overall issue.
Charron said the group needs to approach the issue from a place of reconciliation. Collaboration between veterinarians and academics with the community in a leadership role may result in more creative solutions, she said.
“My very firm hope is that when and if this does roll out ... it is truthfully a community-based, community-driven and culturally appropriate program, so that we are not just repeating the same things over and over again where we’re implementing solutions that are not sustainable and not acceptable from a community standpoint.”
Jasmine Hanson, education and public relations co-ordinator with the Saskatoon Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said growing stray populations is not a problem isolated to Saskatchewan’s north, because many survive mild winters and populations continue to rise “at an alarming rate.”