Notes from the field: Alberta, June 2009
© WSPA
As part of WSPA’s ongoing efforts to assist First Nations communities with their dog population, WSPA Canada provided funding for a spay/neuter and vaccination clinic for the people of the Blood Tribe and their pets.
Our member society Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force planned and executed the entire clinic and I was lucky enough to attend.
Community members were asked to transport their animals a short distance to the town of Cardston, Alberta, where a team of nine vets, six technicians and around 40 volunteers would be waiting to care for their animals.
To make sure that everyone could participate, volunteers from several rescue organizations (including WSPA) came together the day before the clinic to transport dogs whose owners were unable to drive.
Our convoy of vans and volunteers drew quite a bit of attention. Kids and adults followed us on bikes pointing out dogs and their owners and also some dogs that were abandoned.
Diving straight in
When I woke up the day of the clinic I couldn’t believe it – the cars were coved in a fresh blanket of snow! But a rare June snowstorm didn’t stop people from bringing in their pets. When I arrived at 9 a.m. the line-up was very long and vets and technicians were assessing animals with the help of their owners.
I quickly took up the post of “pre-surgery coordinator” and became responsible for transferring animals from the pre-surgery holding area, assisting technicians with administering sedatives and monitoring animals before they were taken in to the surgery area for prep.
At the end of two days 156 animals were treated in total. It was amazing to see both the children and adults so excited to get their pets back. Volunteers went over post-surgery details and offered advice on proper handling and care for pets before sending everyone off home.
Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force is doing an amazing job of helping animals and the people that care for them. I am glad WSPA was able to help them out for the second year in a row.
-Josey Kitson
Read the report and see photos from the 2008 ASNTF clinic >>
Read more about our work with companion animals in Canada >>
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