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Donations set to improve life at Inuvik Dog Pound

The Inuvik Dog Pound is set to receive three donations that will greatly improve the quality of life for impounded dogs.

Berkeley's Place, an Alberta-based non-profit foundation and animal rescue support network, teamed up with the Alberta Pet Education Society to provide much-needed supplies to the shelter.

The Inuvik Dog Pound is located near the dump and can house 11 dogs.
Samantha McKay/NNSL photo

The donation includes 11 dog beds (for the pound's 11 dog cages), toys, water and food dishes, leashes and collars.

Northwind Industries has also agreed to donate its shipping services free of charge for all of the donated supplies.

Municipal constable Matt Hogan said the donation will provide enrichment, comfort and entertainment for the impounded dogs.

"The quality of life for the dogs is just going to increase … they're going from living in the Marriott to the Ritz with these donations," said Hogan.

Arctic Paws, a local non-profit charity and spay and neuter assistance program also donated 11 dog watering stations that automatically re-fill the bowls when they empty.

Berkeley’s Place and the Alberta Pet Education Society donated dog beds, toys, food and water bowls, leashes and collars to the Inuvik Dog Pound.
Photo courtesy of Lillian Courtney

Hogan says these new bowls will ensure that impounded dogs always have access to water, while also being easier to disinfect between uses.

"This is really all about partnerships – we could not be doing what we're doing without these amazing partners," said Hogan.

Inuvik's pound is no-kill

The dog pound sees approximately 175 dogs every year, 80 per cent of which are never claimed by their owner, according to Hogan.

"All animals that end up unclaimed at the pound are transported to southern rescues to give them a better chance at adoption," said Hogan. "For the last nine years, our commitment to the community has been that we are a no-kill pound. One of the biggest myths about the pound is that we kill everything we get. That's not true at all. We provide humane treatment to all animals in our custody."

However, the town can provide euthanasia for sick and dying animals with chemical injections when necessary.

When a dog is surrendered to the town, or when a dog-at-large is picked up by municipal enforcement, the animal is housed at the pound for three business days.

After the three-day period is up, and the dog has not been claimed, the animal becomes property of the Town of Inuvik and Hogan begins the process of sending the dog to a southern rescue.

Canadian North provides three free dog transfers each month to shelters in Yellowknife or Edmonton. When those transfers are used up, the town looks for people traveling to either city to transfer the dog under their ticket.

The transfer doesn't cost the traveler anything – they just have to meet Hogan at the airport and check in with the animal.

How you can help

Hogan said the pound is always looking for donations, but can't accept volunteers at this time due to the risks involved in working with dogs that may not be vaccinated.

"Blankets, towels, crates – and financial donations are great too," said Hogan. "A crate alone costs about $150, and since we use those to send the dogs south, we don't always get them back."

Another way to help is to transfer a dog to Yellowknife or Edmonton if you are traveling.

The Town of Inuvik's director of protective services, Cynthia Hammond, said help from the community and organizations is integral to the well-being of local dogs.

"It takes a village, not only to raise a child, but to take care of these dogs," said Hammond. "There are a lot of vulnerable populations in the world, and dogs are one of them – we all need to pitch in to help where we can."