First Nations pet population targeted
A P.E.I. charity and an RCMP officer are working together with First Nations communities on the Island to reduce the number of cats and dogs wandering around reserves.
SpayAid, best known for its work helping low-income Islanders spay or neuter their pets, has expanded its program into Abegweit First Nation at Rocky Point, just outside of Charlottetown, with the help of RCMP Const. Anne O'Shaughnessy.
"I do get a lot of complaints about stray dogs. I get complaints about cats as well, just wandering around, just an overabundance," said O'Shaughnessy.
"With the community's involvement, participation, we're able to pull this off."
O'Shaughnessy has been helping out by driving pets to veterinary clinics for the procedure. More than 40 animals that have gone through the Abegeweit Spay and Neuter project, including Bertha Francis's dog Baby.
"My goodness, he's a great company," said Francis of her dog, adding she would not have had the money for the neutering without the help of O'Shaughnessy and SpayAid.
"I appreciate what she done for me. I just can't tell her how or enough."
Bertha Francis says without this program, she wouldn't have been able to afford to get Baby neutered.
O'Shaughnessy and SpayAid are offering the program in Scotchfort this week. O'Shaughnessy hopes to be able to eventually expand the free service to all communities on P.E.I.
