Anne’s preserves raise money for the Surrey Community Cat Coalition Having lived for a few years where the temperature can drop to 35 or 40 below zero (-31 to -40 F) for a month at a time, I appreciate some of the challenges of working in remote northern locations. Transportation is costly, and you don’t get the same variety of services or supplies, which can be more expensive. I could never find a hair stylist that worked for me! There weren’t many restaurants that I liked, and all had smoking sections that made any non-smoking section moot. Visiting family in Vancouver was at least $300 for a flight, or two ten-hour days of driving. Travelling anywhere else was more costly too, involving an extra flight to Vancouver. Maybe that’s why I give a lot of credit to animal shelters in remote areas of northern Canada that manage to be no kill. In Whitehorse, Northwest Territories, the NWT SPCA has an amazing 99% save rate. Winning the national Aviva Community Fund challenge one year allowed them to build their first shelter in 2012. They’re still fundraising to complete their vision for the shelter. Not satisfied with helping local animals, the NWT SPCA reaches out to smaller communities where the needs are great. They work with airline partners and the Great Slave Animal Hospital to fly in animals for neutering and medical treatment for a cut rate of $250. Sometimes they’re able to bring a spay/neuter or vaccination clinic to a small community. They collect pet food, crates, leashes and other supplies and have them flown in where supplies are hard to get. Their airline partners also transport many dogs to partner rescue groups in southern locations. Another impressive northern shelter is the Iqaluit Humane Society in Nunavut. Founded in 2007 to end the inhumane shooting of unwanted dogs at the city dump, the shelter worked for many years without a local veterinarian. In 2012, NunaVet Animal Hospital arrived when a long-time resident opened her own practice. Unfortunately, since November 10, the vet has been away and her return date is unknown. I can imagine how difficult it would be as the only veterinarian for hundreds of miles in a remote northern location. The humane society received a lot of press in 2015 when its original airline partner couldn’t continue. Regular flights to the no kill SPCA of Western Quebec in Gatineau have saved the lives of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dogs. First Air soon became the new airline partner. They not only transport dogs to Quebec, but they also fly in dogs in need from smaller communities. Closer to home, one of our local cat rescuers, Anne Salomon, decided to take some time off this summer from daily trapping of cats in need. She went back to her garden and kitchen, and created some delicious preserves. They’re beautifully packaged and labelled to raise money for the Surrey Community Cat Coalition. I bought some of everything, including Canadian catnip from another rescuer, Janet Bartlett. Last night I dipped into the rhubarb compote with vanilla bean. So fragrant and delicious, it must be healthy too! I love that people are using their talents in so many different ways to help animals in need. In turn those animals will make a difference in many human lives. When it’s cold outside, it’s great to have a warm home and warm family to cuddle up to. May you have a warm fuzzy to keep you cozy this holiday season! Topics: Animal shelters, no kill sheltering, northern Canada, NWT SPCA, Iqaluit Humane Society, SPCA of Western Quebec, First Air, Great Slave Animal Hospital, NunaVet Animal Hospital, Anne Salomon, Janet Bartlett, Surrey Community Cat Coalition
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WriterIrene Plett is a writer, poet and animal lover living in South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Categories
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