Manitoba mobile clinic helps control dog population

A dog spay and neuter program, which started a year ago in the Sagkeeng First Nation, has moved into a mobile clinic.

Cathie Mieyette foundedSagkeeng Spay and Neuter Initiative Program (SSNIP) a year ago to help control the pet population.

The clinic was put on wheels in an effort to reachcommunities that dont have veterinary services.

"I thought, well if I can hit it at the root, snip it in the bud, [that] would be a way to stop it," said Mieyette.

The two-day clinic was made possible through a SSNIP fundraising effort which garnered the group $7,000.

Since its inception, the group has spayed and neutered 75 dogs from the community.

Mieyette's goal is to fix at least 40 dogs during the mobile clinic.

The group is not charging for the operations, but asking pet owners to donate what they can.

"A lot of people don't have the means to spay and neuter their pets," said volunteer Heather Guimond.

Mieyette said she's tired of hearing about dogs freezing, starving or being hit by cars and is working with Chief Donavan Fontaine and council to ensure this problem comes to an end.

She hopes that the efforts will result in puppies being born into a good home rather than starting their lives in a shelter.