As residents of Behchoko race to evacuate due to a wildfire, some have had to leave their pets behind.
Evacuee Sandy Young wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 able to bring her dog Snowball to Yellowknife and sheSA国际影视传媒檚 hoping that the NWT SPCA will be able to recover her precious four-legged friend.
SA国际影视传媒淪o far, we know she is in Behchoko, and we were planning on making a trip back,SA国际影视传媒� said Young, SA国际影视传媒渂ut (the SPCA) said that they will go back and pick up the dogs.SA国际影视传媒�
Even when Snowball is back by her side, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 worried about finding a place to leave the dog. The prospect of leaving her pet at one of the citySA国际影视传媒檚 kennels could be unaffordable, Young noted.
Nicole Spencer, executive director of the NWT SPCA, confirmed that the non-profit facility is at full capacity. However, she said they are looking for ways to help more animals, even if that means helping to cover fees to board animals privately in the city.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e been receiving many messages asking if we have peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 pets,SA国际影视传媒� said Spencer. SA国际影视传媒淚t is a bit of legislative nightmare right now, because people are doing things to save pets by bringing them inSA国际影视传媒� but thereSA国际影视传媒檚 nowhere for people to go to and to ask those questions SA国际影视传媒� but weSA国际影视传媒檙e doing the best we can to help.SA国际影视传媒�
Because of the road closure to Behchoko, Spencer was prevented from making another planned trip to the community to rescue more pets.
As of Wednesday, there were already 15 animals on hand from the evacuation. Spencer compared the situation to the Hay River wildfire evacuation in May, which she said was similar.
Veterinarians Without Borders (VWB) has partnered with the NWT SPCA to provide emergency animal care and veterinary services to animals that have been evacuated from the communities. Veterinarian Michelle Tuma, who is based in Yellowknife and co-leads veterinary clinics in remote Northern communities, is encouraging people who have a place for fostering an animal to contact Premier Caroline CochraneSA国际影视传媒檚 constituency office via email to put their name on the foster home coordination list.
