WELFARE - 58 Dogs Flown South for Adoption

In an effort to address the pet overpopulation problem in their community, Big Trout Lake First Nation reached out to Ontario’s Provincial Animal Transfer Team and the result was a large pack of dogs making their way south for a chance at adoption to new homes.

(Puppy triage at Peterborough Airport, Courtesy OSPCA)

On October 7th, 58 canines flew into the Peterborough airport from the community, which is about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.

Upon arrival at the Peterborough Airport, the dogs were triaged by a team of volunteers from across the province, including veterinarians and veterinarian technicians.

Once cleared for further transport, the dogs were brought to the Peterborough Humane Society, the North Bay & District Humane Society, Welland & District Humane Society, and Quinte Humane Society to be placed in their adoption programs.

“It’s been a real pleasure to work with the Big Trout Lake First Nation community and we commend them for taking the lead in establishing this transfer and being leaders in Animal Welfare,” says Judi Cannon, Associate Director, Indigenous Programs & Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA (OSPCA).

Large scale operations like this are impossible without the collaboration of a number of organizations.

The Provincial Animal Transfer Team was established by the Ontario SPCA and is made up of volunteers and groups from all across Ontario, working to help move animals across the province to shelters where they can find new homes.

Participants in this initiative include: Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake First Nation), Ontario SPCA, Peterborough Humane Society, Beat the Heat Kenora, North Star Air Ltd., The City of Peterborough, Loomex Group Peterborough Airport, Welland & District SPCA, North Bay & District Humane Society, Quinte Humane Society, Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes, Thunder Bay & District Humane Society, Royal Canin, PetSmart, Ogena Solutions, Virox Technologies, and Lansdowne Place, Peterborough.

This is not the first time the Ontario SPCA has been involved in the transfer of a large number of dogs from northern communities in their province.

In October 2015, the OSPCA, Beat the Heat Kenora, Thunder Bay & District Humane Society, North Bay & District Humane Society and Cargo North Airline transported over 70 puppies and adult dogs from Whitefish Bay First Nations Community south to find new families.