First nations spay/neuter in the SPCA's Animal Sense magazine, Fall/Winter 2003

FIRST NATIONS

SPAY / NEUTER

STUDY

“ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES

we face in northern B.C. is pet overpopulation,”

says Dr. Jamie Lawson, the BC SPCA’s

chief animal health officer. “Anecdotally, our

northern shelters report many animals

coming from First Nations lands.” Funded

by a grant from the Summerlee Foundation,

the BC SPCA has employed Linda Locke, a

First Nations lawyer living in Hazelton, to

conduct a survey on pet overpopulation

among First Nations communities. Her

study will provide an overview of the animal

population in the north and will guide the BC

SPCA in the formulation of a long-term

spay/neuter plan for the region. “The work is

not yet complete, but so far the results

definitely indicate a strong need for increased

spay/neuter programs in many First Nations

communities,” says Locke. “The reality is

that it is not a lack of will, but of resources

and access to veterinary services that is

preventing people from having their

animals spayed or neutered.” If the

findings warrant, the BC SPCA will begin

pursuing financial support to launch a

comprehensive spay/neuter program,

probably through the use of a mobile

spay/neuter clinic.