Spay + Neuter Task Force comes to Cold Lake First Nations

This weekend the Alberta Spay & Neuter Task Force is coming to Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN) to offer free veternary services to Cold Lake First Nations’ band members. Community Health Nurse, Lillian Turzanski explains CLFN has been waiting two years for the non-profit organization to come to the Nation, “it took about two years to get them out here, they are very much in high demand.”

“When they bring the animal in, the animal will be vacated and spayed or neutered, tattooed and treated for pericytes; flees and worms.” Turzanski explains the service is free through the Alberta Spay & Neuter Task Force. “This is to help reduce our dog population on the reserve.”

There has been a problem with spray dogs on CLFN, confirms Turzanski, “we do have a dog problem out here. We get a lot of dogs that are stray animals. They pack up in the winter time, especially if they are not being fed by anyone in particular.” Some people have even been harmed by the stray dogs, “we get a lot of dog bites at the health centre. This is one way that we have found that we can help the dog problem.”

“The task force will actually do a round-up, while they are here. We go out in teams and to areas where we know there are stray or loose dogs. We catch the dogs, if they’re good with human interaction. If they’re not good, then we’ll use live traps.” The dogs are then taken with the Alberta Spay & Task Force out of the community, “they are sent to all these second chance and rescue agencies, in Alberta. They try absolutely everything they can not to euthanize an animal. It’s not about trying to put animals down, it’s about trying to rescue the animals and give them a good home.” Turzanski is expecting the task force will treat over 100 animals this weekend.

On Friday, from 2:00 – 6:00 pm, band members can bring pets for registration. There will be cat and dog carriers available. Administration asks that band members do not try to capture stray dogs, rather call in and inform administration where they saw the dogs. For more information visit abtaskforce.org.