The Power of Unity, The Dignity of Difference

Telemedicine:

• Remote Northern Ontario Veterinary Telemedicine via Allandale Veterinary Hospital – an Indigenous-safe telemedicine veterinarian service that accepts e-transfer or credit card.
• VetWise virtual pet care that accepts credit card only.
• Vetster 24/7 online vet accepts credit cards only.

Emergency Clinics:

• Hillcrest Animal Clinic in Dryden.

Thunder Bay veterinary clinics are not currently accepting new clients. Call Hillcrest to arrange your appointment. They can pick up your pet at the Sioux Lookout airport or fly pet into Thunder Bay and bus on Kasper to Dryden. Northern Reach Network provides overnight fostering services.

It is always a difficult decision to rehome your pet. Choosing the right rescue is important.

Northern Reach Network is the hub of the north. It’s a volunteer-run pet rescue that can help families with requests. Please understand that their resources are limited and they cannot work quickly in some cases. Contact Northern Reach Network via Facebook Messenger and give them your name and address, and the pet’s name, age, if they’re spayed or neutered, when they had their last vaccines, and a picture. Once they receive all of the information, they will start working for a placement.

The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society is the only animal shelter in Thunder Bay. Connect with them over the phone to complete their surrender form and get on their surrender waiting list. Their number is 807-475-8803.

There are two types of animal laws in Ontario:

1. Laws that protect pets from people

Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS Act)
This law protects animals from:

• Cruelty
• Neglect
• Abandonment
• Poor living conditions (failure to meet standards of care)

Who enforces it:

• Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS)
• Anishinabek Police Service (APS)
• Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS)
• Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)

To report animal cruelty or neglect:

📞 Call Provincial Animal Welfare Services at 1-833-926-4625 and contact your local police service.

2. Laws that protect people from pets

Dog Owner’s Liability Act (DOLA)
This law deals with:

• Dangerous dogs
• Restricted breeds
• Dog attacks and owner responsibility

Who enforces it:

• Anishinabek Police Service (APS)
• Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS)
• Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)

If you suspect rabies in wildlife, report it to the Ministry of Natural Resources at the Wildlife Health Information Line is at 1-888-574-6656.

• Rabies | Ontario.ca
• Wildlife rabies outbreaks and control operations | Ontario.ca
• Matawa Rabies and Disease Surveillance Help Line

Community & Educational Materials

Community Dog Book
Tasha Epp & Jasmine Dhillon, University of Saskatchewan – Western College of Veterinary Medicine
A practical guide for community-based dog management, health, and wellness initiatives in northern and Indigenous communities.

Bone of Contention
Brandy Tomhave, Native American Humane Society (USA)
A reflection on animal welfare, sovereignty, and culturally grounded approaches to humane care in Indigenous communities.

Research & Reports

Finding Pathways for Bite Prevention and Decreasing Dog Populations: The Process of Animal Control for Indigenous Communities in Canada
ResearchGate
Explores community-based approaches to humane dog population control, animal health, and bite prevention in Indigenous communities across Canada.

Stray Dogs and Public Health: Population Estimation in Punjab, India
Research Study
Examines methods for estimating stray dog populations and their public health implications, offering lessons for community planning and animal management.

Animals North Collective Survey (Sept 2023)
Veterinary Services in First Nation Communities
A regional survey highlighting gaps and opportunities in veterinary service delivery across First Nation communities.

Policy, Law & Governance

NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa – Debate in the Ontario Legislature (April 4, 2024)
Bill 171: Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act, 2024
Minister of Provincial Parliament Sol Mamakwa advocates for improved access to animal care services in northern and remote First Nation communities.

Fort William First Nation Passes New Dog Control Bylaw
TBNewsWatch.com
News coverage on Fort William First Nation’s proactive step toward responsible pet ownership and community safety.

First Nations Pursue Options to Get Bylaws Enforced
APTN News, April 1, 2025
Explores how First Nations are developing mechanisms and partnerships to strengthen enforcement of local bylaws.

Programs & Initiatives

Pilot Program for Stray Dogs Could Expand to Treaty 3
Kenora Miner and News, April 3, 2025
An overview of efforts to expand community-led stray dog management programs across Treaty 3 territory.

Below is a list of recent and upcoming Animal Wellness Clinics and related events hosted across Matawa communities to support pet care, community engagement, and animal health.

2024

• Webequie First Nation – Animal Wellness Clinic
  May 1–4, 2024 (previous clinic held in 2016)

• Eabametoong First Nation – Mini Animal Wellness Clinic & Listening Circle
  June 3–4, 2024

• Ginoogaming First Nation – Animal Wellness Clinic & Listening Circle
  June 24, 2024

• Long Lake #59 First Nation – Animal Wellness Clinic & Listening Circle
  June 25, 2024

• Aroland First Nation – Animal Plans Listening Circle
  June 26, 2024

• Constance Lake First Nation – Animal Plans Listening Circle
  June 27, 2024

• Constance Lake First Nation – Animal Services (with OSPCA & PetSmart Charities Canada)
  August 8–11, 2024

• Eabametoong First Nation – Animal Wellness Clinic
  October 16–20, 2024

2025

• Constance Lake First Nation – Animal Wellness Clinic (with OSPCA & PetSmart Charities)
  May 22–25, 2025

• Long Lake #58 & Ginoogaming First Nations – Animal Wellness Clinic (with PetSmart Charities)
  May 22–25, 2025

• Nibinamik First Nation – Animal Wellness Clinic
  September 30–October 2, 2025

• Neskantaga First Nation – Animal Wellness Clinic
  October 3–6, 2025

• Marten Falls First Nation – Animal Wellness Clinic
  October 6–9, 2025

The Matawa Chiefs Council has passed several resolutions to support the development of animal wellness services, emergency planning, and the revitalization of cultural practices across Matawa First Nations.

2023

• Support for a 2-Year Pilot Project – Establishing a new Animal Services Community-of-Practice and reclaiming the cultural practice of dog sledding in the Matawa First Nations
  May 12, 2023

2024

• Support for a Business Plan – Developing a sustainable framework for ongoing animal wellness services
  October 2, 2024

• Increasing Access to Veterinary Care in Remote Communities – Support for Implementation of an Overall VCPR (Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship) Throughout Matawa First Nations as a Herd-Health Model
  December 11, 2025

2025

• Including Pets in Emergency Response Plans – Support for Development and Implementation of Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans for Pets During Evacuations in Matawa First Nations
  July 31, 2025

Media Coverage

Explore recent media coverage and stories highlighting Matawa’s Animal Wellness Services and community partnerships:

2024

• 🎧 CBC Superior Morning – Parvovirus Outbreak in Nibinamik — Published April 4, 2024

• 📰 SN Newswatch – “Webequie spay and neuter clinic shines a light on a new pilot project” — Published May 16, 2024

• 🎧 CBC Superior Morning – Interview with Judi Cannon and Mary-Jean Cormier — Published June 26, 2024

• 📰 CBC News – “Constance Lake First Nation to hold first animal wellness clinic in at least 10 years” — Published July 27, 2024

• 📰 The Globe and Mail – “A healthy rez dog means a healthy community: Advocates working to bring vet care to Indigenous communities” — Published August 19, 2024

• 📰 TVO – “Pilot Project Brings Veterinary ‘Magic’ to Northern First Nations” — Published October 24, 2024

• 📰 SN Newswatch – “Veterinarian and Team Come to Northern First Nation” — Published October 24, 2024

2025

• 🎧 Wawatay Radio – Update on Animal Wellness Services — Aired January 14 & 28, 2025

• 📰 SN Newswatch – “For the Dogs: Matawa Communities Welcome Animal Wellness Clinics” — Published October 8, 2025

Media Releases

• 📰 Aroland First Nation Media Release – Building on its Success of Sustainably Decreasing Stray Dog Population — Published May 30, 2024

• 📰 Matawa Media Release –First Nations in Greenstone and Constance Lake First Nation Collaborate with Partners on Animal Services Activities— Published June 24, 2024

• 📰 Matawa Chiefs Council Media Release – “Matawa Chiefs Council Point Out Inequities for First Nations on World Rabies Day” — Published September 27, 2024

• 📰 Matawa Media Release – “MFNM Welcomes Indigenous Services Canada Investments on Continuation of Animal Services Pilot Project” — Published October 11, 2024

• 📰 Joint Media Release – “Matawa FNs Management Animal Services Pilot Creates Healthier, Safer Communities for People and Animals” — Published October 11, 2024

• 📰 Eabametoong First Nation Media Release – “Eabametoong FN Collaborate with Partners on Spay/Neuter & Vaccine Clinic and Transfer of Stray Dogs” — Published October 24, 2024

• 📰 Matawa Media Release – Matawa Animal Wellness Services Marks World Rabies Day with Historic Milestones—and a Call for Equity — Published September 26, 2025

  📰 Matawa Media Release – Matawa Animal Wellness Services Kicks Off 10-Day Spay/Neuter Marathon in Remote First Nations on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — Published September 30, 2025

On February 5, 2024, Matawa First Nations Management launched a pilot project to establish an Animal Services Community-of-Practice, following a Matawa Chiefs Council Resolution passed in 2023. The project ran until March 31, 2025.

The pilot aimed to:

• Increase education and awareness about animal wellness across Matawa First Nations

• Improve animal health, reduce fertility rates, and build safer, healthier communities using the One Health Model

• Deliver Animal Wellness and Spay/Neuter Clinics in seven of nine Matawa First Nations

• Gather community and leadership feedback to guide long-term planning, including an animal population survey and sustainability plan

• Collaborate with online veterinarians to provide basic first aid, vaccinations, and medications as needed

• Contribute to the Matawa Pets and People Facebook page to share updates and educational resources

• Advocate at all levels of government on animal-related issues in Matawa First Nations

• Complete a Final Report outlining a Community-of-Practice model for use in other road-access and remote First Nations across Canada

This project recognizes that the relationship between people and animals—particularly dogs—has changed as a result of colonization. Traditional practices such as dog sledding have nearly disappeared, while the introduction of new animal species has created challenges such as poor animal health and dog overpopulation. These issues have, at times, led to dog bites, pack aggression, mauling incidents, and the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.

At the same time, the pilot acknowledges and celebrates the many responsible pet owners and community volunteers who continue to support animal wellness and care within Matawa communities.