Big Heart Rescue unfortunately has first hand experience in working with abused, neglected and chained dogs on a reserve. Bella Bella is a small native community near the Queen Charlotte Islands that is over run with intact dogs who suffer from parvo, distemper mange, worms and parasites. (Read Spirit's unhappy ending story; http://www.animaladvocates.com/in-memoriam-spirit.htm)

Most are starved for both food and affection, the majority run through the streets and become targets for cars and trucks, many are chained without release and yes, the means of animal control is a shot gun. And while licensing is mandatory most owners do not bother and any dog who roams unlicensed maybe executed by a bullet.

The SPCA completed a spay and neuter clinic on the island in late 2001 or early 2002 and when Big Heart Rescue conducted vaccination days in January 2003 there were many requests from the caring owners who participated in our program for the SPCA to attend yearly and provide on-going sterilization and vaccination initiatives. As of this writing, the SPCA has not returned to provide education on humane treatment of animals, implement a regular spay and neuter program, nor have they provided any means of obtaining basic vaccinations.

Like many other isolated communities there is no vet or vet technician on the island. Animals must be taken either by boat or by plane to Port Hardy for basic medical care and the cost of a spay or neuter exceeds $500.00. The SPCA is well aware of the horrific circumstances on this reserve and many other reserves in BC. yet these animals remain unnoticed, ignored and subject to diseases that kill without mercy but could easily be prevented.

As a result of working with the Band Council and Chief in Bella Bella, Big Heart Rescue has brought down many dogs and puppies in dire need of assistance to Vancouver. In June, Flint and Mandela were delivered to us by plane from Bella Bella. Mandela was suffering from parasites, worms and mange, Flint was diagnosed with Parvo. Both these pups lived due to extreme medical intervention but my mind constantly wanders to their litter mates and the many others who have suffered terrible and agonizing deaths from disease, abuse, neglect and murder.

It is past time for the SPCA to enforce the PCA act in these communities, it is past time that education programs, spay, neuter and vaccination clinics were established on a yearly basis and it is past time for the SPCA to put the public’s funding dollars to use with animals in need, not on salaries, retreats or buy-outs.

Lucky little Flint...