Ensuring pets in Canada’s Indigenous communities receive sufficient access to veterinary care is the goal of a significant long-term investment from PetSmart Charities of Canada.

The non-profit organization has rolled out the first of two grant phases, aimed at breaking down the geographic, cultural, and financial barriers preventing pets from receiving necessary veterinary care.

Nearly 60 per cent of Canadian families now include pets, but roughly half of those pets do not have an ongoing relationship with a veterinarian, PetSmart Charities of Canada reports. Specifically, lack of access to veterinary care in Canada is disproportionately experienced in Indigenous communities, where the nearest veterinarian may be several hours away.

“We believe every family should be able to benefit from the joy of pets, and that all pets should have access to adequate veterinary care,” says Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities of Canada. “Pets should not be a luxury or privilege, and all communities need the expertise of veterinary practitioners.”

The organization has awarded grants to nine organizations to work in collaboration with Indigenous communities. They are:

• Brant County SPCA (Six Nations, Ont.)
• Canadian Animal Assistance Team (Pelly’s Crossing, Yuk.)
• Georgian Triangle Humane Society (Saugeen First Nation, Ont.)
• Paws for Hope Animal Foundation (Huu-Ay-Aht First Nations, B.C.)
• Thompson Humane Society (Nisichawayasihk [NCN] and Nelson House, Man.)
• Toronto Animal Services (Toronto)
• Tsay Keh Dene First Nation (Tsay Keh, B.C.)
• Veterinarians Without Borders (Igloolik and Gjoa Haven, Nvt.)
• Winnipeg Humane Society (South Indian Lake, Man.)

Many Indigenous communities in Canada have limited or no access to veterinary services, PetSmart Charities of Canada reports.

The first grant phase is focused on building relationships with members in each community to better understand the unique needs of each to support pet health. The second grant phase for this cohort, which is set to begin in 2024, will leverage the learnings from the first grant phase to support increased access to care in each community.

“This grant is supporting critical work to provide remote communities access to veterinary services,” says Yvonne Kipling, a One Health Specialist for program grant recipient, Winnipeg Humane Society. “Canadians love their pets like family, and at times struggle to provide basic veterinary services due to lack of access. This grant has assisted us to build relationships with community members and determine what services are needed most. It is rare for remote communities to have the opportunity to discuss their needs with animal care agencies, and we have seen a positive response so far.”

“We’re so excited about the potential of this program to increase access to culturally sensitive care that meets the needs of Indigenous populations in each of these communities,” Gilbreath adds.