OSPCA to address overpopulation problem with program 'Year of the Northern Dog'

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is trying to raise awareness about the overpopulation of dogs in the northern part of the province.

The animal welfare agency is calling it's initiativethis year, the Year of the Northern Dog..

DarylVaillancourt, OSPCAsenior director says in many northern Ontario communities, particularly remote communities, there is little access toveterinarian care for pets.

Some pet owners can't afford the very expensive cost to spay or neuter their dogs, he said,, so they simply don't get the procedure done. That creates an over abundance of canines, many roaming freely.

The OSPCA's Year of the Northern Dog initiative has two parts.

According to Vaillancourt, the agencywill raise funds and donations of supplies which will then be takento remote northern communities to provide pet care, like spay and neutering services.

The other part of the program removes dogs from thesecommunities and puts them up for adoption in southern Ontario.

"As far as [the dogs']demeanor, theirsocialization with other dogs, quite frankly, isoften better than typical city dogs that tendto not get out much and see other animals. So there is a bit of a misnomer on theirtempermant."

"They're a wonderful dog to have in the home."

Vaillancourt says the SPCAwill only go where they're invited.

"If we are asked to be a part of working on some of their challengeswe're more than happy to gather up the resources and our partners and coordinate that effort. If a community does not want us there then that's okay too. We simply don't go," he says.

The program has already worked withBig Trout Lake, as well asin theKenora-area.

"The more we get people talking about this just like anything in the north the more awareness there will be."