AROLAND FIRST NATION – According to a media release from Matawa First Nation, from June 1 to 3, a 15-person veterinary team from the Kim & Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership Program at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) will travel to Aroland First Nation to conduct an estimated 30 spay and neuter surgeries, and dozens of vaccinations, wellness exams, and other animal services.
Aroland First Nation struggled to manage its dog population due to a lack of access to veterinary care. The overwhelming dog populations, dog-related aggression, and increased potential for diseases unfortunately lead the First Nation to ‘cull’ the animals, which had little impact.
In 2009, band members Mark Bell and Siru Kantola began focusing on partnering with animal service groups, including veterinarians and dog rescues.
Community partners have helped support Aroland First Nation by educating members and providing spay and neuter clinics and other preventative care.
By 2022, Aroland First Nation, a community of around 400 on-reserve members, had roughly 100 dogs, none of which were strays.
As part of Matawa First Nation Management Animal Service’s one-year pilot project, which aims to reproduce the success of Aroland’s dog management in all Matawa communities, Matawa Animal Services has hired nine community-based Animal Guardians in each Matawa First Nation.
The guardians are to gather feedback and data on animal populations to develop a sustainability plan for their community.
