A Saskatchewan First Nation is replacing enforcement-based animal control with a new, $150,000 welfare initiative. The new program approved by the Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man council focuses on education, veterinary care, and Indigenous teachings to reduce roaming dogs.

According to battlefordsNOW, the long-term program aims to help residents care for their animals before problems develop. It includes a dedicated animal wellness worker, free veterinary services, future spay-and-neuter clinics, and community education on responsible pet ownership and public safety.

“For a long time, animal management in many communities focused strictly on enforcement or penalties,” the First Nation’s animal wellness worker Tazmen Armstrong told battlefordsNOW.

Some roaming dogs have not been abandoned but have owners. The First Nation plans to create a community database to identify owned dogs, track veterinary care, and distinguish pets from true strays.

The council has already begun welfare services, including connecting residents with veterinary services. It is also preparing to launch a veterinary request system that will provide free spays, neuters, vaccinations, and emergency care. Additional animal wellness programs are also planned.