Natuashish Labrador Decides To Work Alongside HVGB SPCA & Avert Dog Cull

The vast majority of people understand the basic concepts of care, not only for ourselves but for those of animals as well. It goes without saying that the Northern Communities in Canada have a daunting task before them as they try to cope with an issue that not only receives inadequate funding from Government but the lack of the population density needed for Donations & support.

In regards to Labrador, they have been in crisis mode from the very conception of the Happy Valley Goose Bay SPCA. Partnering with Litters 'n' Critters Animal Rescue Society in Halifax NS they have been able to send down animals to be adopted out here as opposed to the alternative of being Euthanized. Over population of roaming, neglected & abused animals is a Daily occurrence in many remote communities in Canada.

What are the key factors for the overpopulation of animals in Labrador & numerous other Northern Communities?

1. The SPCA's dedication to the protection & care of animals is not sufficiently funded by the Federal, Provincial or Territorial Governments. Ten thousand dollars a year is not an adequate amount to provide basic needs such as food. When you have a population that can not support the fundraising required to provide adequate care for animals you set this system set up to fail. There is absolutely no reason Government is unable to provide the Volunteers that run these Animal Rescue Organizations the funding they require to function at a reasonable level.

2. There is the daily dilemma of not having access to Veterinary care to perform Spay/Neuter services or provide care needed for injured animals. Veterinary care in Northern Communities is sporadic at best leaving volunteers doing their best to try to cope with medical issues they are not qualified to deal with.

3. In many Northern communities Animal Rescues also face quasi cooperation from Innu & Aboriginal Communities in regards to the protection & well being of animals. Communities that are unable to care for their own people do not have the resources to care adequately for animals thus leading to overpopulation issues. Communities who can not help themselves are unable to help animals & if they require help it should be provided as to avoid culling of animals that through no fault of their own merely exist.

4. Inadequate Facilities for the Provincial & Territorial SPCA's to maximize their potential effectiveness. Buildings constructed from used building materials that can only house up to six dogs when twenty are waiting on the doorstep to have the opportunity to be cared for. Government should provide adequate money for the construction of the facilities needed to enable these Animal Rescue Agencies to run effectively & efficiently as these volunteers take on the responsibility of Animal Welfare & Protection on behalf of the Canadian Government. Allow them the opportunity to do the best they can, to provide the care that these animals deserve.

5. Transportation whether it be train, plane or automobile should be accessible to all Northern Canadian Animal Rescues. Government should implore the Public Transportation Industry to aid in the efforts of these Animal Agencies. The irony is that there could be homes for every one of these animals if the Transportation to get them from point A to point B were available. Airlines charging five hundred dollars for a Rescue Animal to board a flight is ludicrous, if there is room in a cargo hold why can they not help these Northern Communities free of charge?

What are the effects of an over stressed Animal population in Northern Canadian Communities?


1. Northern Communities face an abundance of never ending issues with Animal over population.Everything from disease, aggression, malnutrition, over population, cross breeding with wolves or coyotes, death & it all can be managed with the proper facilities & medical care.

2. Northern Communities are often faced with unfortunate situations where they feel there is no other option than to cull animals because they can't afford to care for them adequately. They are rounded up & shot for merely existing. They feel abandoned by mainland Canada and helpless in their humanitarian efforts to save what could potentially be an animal homed if only the resources were available.

3. There is a great deal of frustration, anxiety & anger within Northern Communities when people feel the need to take overpopulation issues into their own hands. The knowledge that it could be a very manageable situation if they could face Animal Welfare & Protection on a United Front with one another & Government leads to conflict where none should exist.

A realist, I am very aware that not every animal can be spared, that not every animal should be spared but to deny the opportunity for these Northern Communities to try to succeed and be afforded the opportunity is disheartening and unjust at the very least and goes against everything we as Canadians stands for.

When those without the means to do for themselves are left to fend for themselves it becomes a desperate situation that can be averted with adequate support & funding. It is not an issue of what can you do but the moral obligation & expectation of what will you do. The overpopulation issues are manageable in time but Animal Rescues in Northern Canada need a fighting chance to get up on their feet, to get a firm handle on the specific needs of their Communities in Regards to Animal overpopulation.

In such a vast territory, Northern Communities will always be plagued with an over abundance of
animals in need, it is the responsibility of the Canadian Government to enable them with the resources to cope in their Humanitarian Efforts.

In closing I feel it my responsibility as a citizen, as a person who has adopted three beautiful, loving dogs from Labrador to not only acknowledge the issues facing Northern Canadian Animal Rescue Organizations but to stand with them & let them know that I care not only for the valuable contribution to what speaks to our Canadian Heritage that they pursue on a daily basis but for my children that they should know of the efforts to maintain the level of Humanitarian Aid & kindness that we as a people should expect.

PLEASE HELP LABRADOR & DEMAND THE CANADIAN FEDERAL & PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS SUPPORT THE HVGB SPCA & STOP THE CULL OF INNOCENT DOGS

L.A. Bowden
Sackville NS Canada

Petition Insisting The Canadian Government Allocate Funding For Northern Canadian Animal Rescues