More than 100 dogs examined by veterinarians and volunteers in northern Saskatchewan
Many dogs spayed and neutered to prevent future dog culls in the communities
A group of volunteers and veterinarians travelled to La Loche, Sask. to offer healthcare for dogs. For two days, from 8 a.m. to midnight, the clinic was run out of the local high school's gymnasium.
About 140 people had their dogs receive examinations, with 75 being spayed and neutered. So many dogs were brought in that some had to be turned away.
Dog owners in northern locations don't have quick and easy access to veterinarians. With dogs not being spayed and neutered, it can be tough to control the population. In some cases, the packs of potentially aggressive dogs pose a threat to residents. When that occurs, the communities order a cull. Dogs are shot if they're found running loose.
"I wanted that eye opening experience. I wanted to understand the issues that so many communities close to home face," said Megan Howse, one of the volunteers. "[Dog culls] are absolutely necessary in a community like that because the dogs, there just are so many, they will pack up and, at that point, young children are especially at risk."
Howse said the group is considering travelling to La Loche again in the fall. Her hope is that if they are able to spay and neuter all the dogs they didn't have time to treat this time around, they might be able to help combat the problem of overpopulation and there won't be a need for dog culls in the future.