Nova Scotia SPCA takes in 16 dogs from Hay River NWT after wildfires forced evacuations

CITYnews halifax \ By Dan Ahlstrand

Sixteen dogs from Hay River, NWT,  are now in the custody of the Nova Scotia SPCA after wildfires forced people to flee their homes earlier this summer.

The 11 puppies and five adult dogs are from the Hay River Animal Shelter, and they have been living in Grande Prairie and Edmonton, Alberta, in various foster homes and boarding facilities since the evacuation order was given.

“A volunteer loaded up her car and just drove,” says Sarah Lyon, Provincial Director of External Relations at the Nova Scotia SPCA. “She got some animals to Grande Prairie, while the rest were brought to Edmonton via military transport when the fire reached just a kilometre outside of the centre of the town.”

Hay River Animal Shelter worked with Veterinarians Without Borders to arrange for another shelter to take them, but they could find no shelter to take in the dogs. So, they called the Nova Scotia SPCA.

“The Nova Scotia SPCA has a strong legacy of supporting animals during emergencies, as exemplified during their response efforts to wildfires that happened across Nova Scotia in May,” says Marieke Van Der Veldon, VMB/VSF’s’ Northern Canada Program Manager. “Although space in their shelters is significantly limited at this time, their offer of help for these 16 animals is truly appreciated, as they quite literally have nowhere else to go.”

Another charity partner helping to make this happen was Wings of Rescue, who organized the transport of the dogs, flying them to Nova Scotia.

“We are so happy to be a part of the continued support of Canadian animals affected by this summer’s wildfires,” says Ashley Wright, Executive Director of Wings of Rescue. “We look forward to them finding their forever homes in Nova Scotia.”

All dogs will receive medical treatment from the Nova Scotia SPCA Veterinarians and need spay/neuters, vaccines, and some, possibly dental surgery. The puppies have been placed in foster homes, and the adult dogs in shelters across the province. They will not be up for adoption until they have finished or received any treatment needed.

The NS SPCA says they will update their adoption website once they are ready to let people know.

In the interim, NS SPCA is asking anyone who wants to donate to help care for these animals to log onto www.novascotiaspca.ca/NWTdogs.