Veterinary Team Provides Vital Care for Displaced Pets in Northern Ontario
When wildfires forced many families in Northern Ontario to evacuate, veterinary support became a crucial part of emergency response efforts. A veterinarian from the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) stepped in to provide care for pets affected by these evacuations.
Dr. Jamie Freeman-Braganca, a veterinarian involved with the Kim and Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership Program (CHPP), collaborated with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Northwest Animal Centre in Thunder Bay to assist displaced animals and their owners.
Many pets arriving at the shelter required basic veterinary care, such as vaccinations, health checks, and preventive treatments. Families also sought spay and neuter services to manage pet populations once they returned home.
During six days of service, Freeman-Braganca conducted 82 spay and neuter surgeries, alongside 103 wellness and vaccination appointments. This effort lessened the strain on local veterinary resources and enhanced animal health during a challenging period.
The CHPP aims to provide veterinary care to underserved and remote communities. Through partnerships with Indigenous communities, shelters, and animal welfare organizations, the program strives to improve access to veterinary services throughout Northern Ontario.
Freeman-Braganca emphasized the importance of listening to local needs to effectively support the community, noting that preventive care was the most requested service among evacuees—particularly in areas with limited veterinary access for years.
She highlighted how keeping pets healthy helps families stay together and can facilitate their access to long-term housing. The experience also underscored the profound bond between people and their animals during emergencies.
The veterinarian praised the shelter staff for their dedication to animal welfare and emergency response, while underscoring the continued need for support for veterinary services in Northern Ontario even after the wildfire crisis.
This response demonstrated how collaboration among veterinarians, shelters, and community organizations can protect both animals and the families who depend on them during emergencies.
Photo Credit: OVC-CHPP-Freeman-Braganca-cat
