Over 40 animals find new homes during two northern transfers

It’s been a busy summer for the Ontario SPCA Provincial Animal Transfer Team and for the Ontario SPCA Indigenous Programs following two recent dog transfers and a spay/neuter clinic in northern communities.

Group of volunteers and staff posing at the Big Trout Lake Airport.

The Ontario SPCA once again partnered with Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake First Nation), located about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, to deliver essential Animal Welfare services. A team of Big Trout Lake community members, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, volunteers, the Canadian Animal Assistance Team, Beat the Heat Kenora, North Star Air Ltd., Peterborough Humane Society and PetSmart Charities of Canada travelled to the community for a spay/neuter clinic and transfer on June 13. Pet owners brought 73 cats and dogs to be fixed and receive vaccines to help control the local animal population.

The Ontario SPCA first partnered with Big Trout Lake First Nation in the fall of 2016 to work in collaboration with the community on a re-homing initiative. A total 58 dogs were transferred to southern Ontario and every one of the dogs found new homes.

Following the recent spay/neuter clinic, 18 community dogs and cats were transferred to central Ontario to be placed up for adoption. Flown from Big Trout Lake First Nation to Thunder Bay by North Star Air Ltd., the animals then made the journey to the Peterborough Humane Society. Those dogs and cats have since been placed up for adoption and all of them have already found new homes, only hours after being placed up for adoption.

In addition to these Animal Welfare initiatives, the Chief, Elders and Band council of Big Trout Lake First Nation are reviewing the community’s animal bylaws and are planning for the future. The Ontario SPCA and our many partners are grateful be able to share tools and resources with the community as it develops an animal management strategy.

Man holds dog at spay/neuter clinic.

While this important work was taking place, the Provincial Animal Transfer Team was in a different part of the province and was also working side-by-side with leaders of another community that has also made Animal Welfare a priority. During our visit, 25 animals were transferred to the North Bay and District Humane Society to be placed up for adoption.

Special thanks to Big Trout Lake First Nation for inviting us to your community, as well as PetSmart Charities of Canada, North Star Air Ltd., the Canadian Animal Assistance Team, Beat the Heat Kenora, the Ontario SPCA, the Peterborough Humane Society, the North Bay and District Humane Society and our many volunteers for making this important work possible.

What can you do to help? A donation to our Provincial Animal Transfer Team will ensure this important work continues. Make a gift today and simply select “Provincial Animal Transfer Team” when asked where to designate your gift.

Interested in volunteering on a transfer? Learn more on our website.

Together, we’re changing lives!