Blueberry’s Buddies – ‘Pgumanji’j maw witapaq

Listuguj’s Josie Slaughter has been fostering animals in the community over the past year. Although she does not have an official role with Listuguj Animal Control, she volunteers to take in some of the animals before they find their forever homes.

Slaughter is a big animal lover and first got interested in fostering after she adopted her first cat, Sir Pounce. She did a lot of research on how to properly raise cats and completed Neonatal Kitten Foster Training at the Toronto Humane Society. While Slaughter was working for the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government, she offered her fostering services to Bylaw Enforcement Officer, Vera Isaac, which was greatly appreciated and needed.

When it comes to the importance of fostering animals in the community, Slaughter said, “Since Listuguj doesn’t have an agreement with the SPCA and no shelter of its own, any animals apprehended by Listuguj Animal Control have nowhere to go unless there are volunteer fosters available.”  Listuguj Animal Control will assist in providing the cat and dog food and handle any vet visits the animals might need as well.

Slaughter has fostered many dogs and cats and takes care of them until a good adopter is put in place. One of her recent animals, was a dog named Maverick, who she cared for while he recovered from leg surgery. Maverick has since found his forever home with a loving owner.

Roaming dogs pose a challenge in the community, and concerns have been raised about irresponsible pet ownership. Something that can help with this ongoing issue is spaying and neutering pets. Please see the following points from the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA):

• The CVMA supports all efforts to prevent unplanned breeding (including spaying or neutering of companion animals by licensed veterinarians) and recognizes this is an integral part of pet ownership.
• Spaying or neutering dogs and cats can provide health and behavioural benefits such as reduced risk of some diseases and undesirable behaviours that are influenced by reproductive hormones.
• The CVMA advocates for pre-pubertal spaying or neutering of all sheltered dogs and cats, which is critical for addressing the serious concern of pet overpopulation in Canada.
• Pet owners should consult a licensed veterinarian when deciding timing of spay or neuter surgery for an assessment of the risks and benefits given their pet’s breed, size, behavioural characteristics, and planned use of the pet.
• The current veterinary professional workforce shortage may affect accessibility of spay and neuter procedures.
• The CVMA advocates for further research into the ideal timing of spaying and
  neutering of cats and dogs, along with non-surgical alternative procedures.

When it comes to the future of Blueberry’s Buddies – ‘Pgumanji’j maw witapaq, Slaughter said, “One day I’d love to make my fostering efforts for Blueberry’s Buddies more formal and fundraise so that all animals I take in can be vetted and spayed/neutered before adoption but I’m not quite there yet.”

Thank you for dedication and care when it comes to the animals in our community, Josie!

If you are interested in fostering animals in the community, please contact Vera Isaac at 506-987-4524.

By Ann Marie Jacques