Ripple Effect

Story By: ELLISPark.co I Oct 13, 2023

In rural areas of Northern Manitoba, limited access to veterinary care is a common challenge due to geographical remoteness and the high cost of vet services. Northern Manitoba Paws in Need, a grassroots animal rescue organization founded by Vicki McNevin in 2015, is trying to make a difference.

McNevin and a dedicated team of volunteers from animal welfare organizations across the province actively support pop-up spay and neuter clinics in Indigenous and low-income communities. Through these efforts, Northern Manitoba Paws in Need is not only improving the lives of countless animals but also nurturing a sense of community that has a positive ripple effect on everyone involved.

By offering spaying and neutering services, McNevin and veterinary volunteers help prevent overpopulation to address safety concerns within the community. "It's unsafe to have animals roaming around,” she says. “If a pack of male dogs come by chasing a female in heat, a child playing or an elder walking down the street may get attacked. It has happened in the past, and it's something that we're all trying to work towards not happening again,” says McNevin.

Northern Manitoba Paws in Need deeply respects the communities it serves, emphasizing the importance of collaborative and respectful engagement. "You can't just go into a community and say, 'Hey, I'm coming in, I'm doing this.' You have to be invited and welcomed into the community," says McNevin. The process begins with obtaining permission from the Chief and Council, a crucial step that promotes a harmonious partnership. Once the green light is given, the logistics swing into motion, with volunteer veterinarians flying in, often from afar, to offer their services. McNevin will drive hours from her home in Thompson to reach these communities, carrying essential supplies like kennels and dog food.

McNevin recently organized a two-day spay-and-neuter clinic in South Indian Lake, located six hours north of Thompson. Sixty-two surgeries were performed, including 34 female spays. “The clinic was exhausting but fantastic,” McNevin says.

What sets these spay-and-neuter clinics apart is the focus on community involvement. One thing McNevin has worked towards is setting up community barbecues, providing an opportunity for volunteer vets, pet owners and children of pet owners to come together. “We arrived on Friday and had the barbecue on Saturday after a bunch of surgeries were done. The vets and volunteers were out there cooking the hotdogs and playing basketball with the teenagers,” she says. “The volunteers even take the time to engage with the children, providing small toys and books and offering valuable knowledge on pet care. [The vets] talk with the kids and give them tips on how to keep their new puppy safe and have them grow to have a long life," she says. “It's always nicer to involve the community.”

At CAA, we find inspiration in the work of McNevin and the volunteers who make these moments possible. To help McNevin continue doing the work, CAA is supplying Northern Manitoba Paws in Need with a new washer and dryer, gas cards and new kennel runs. McNevin’s commitment to respectful, community-based care is an example of how collaboration and compassion can create a brighter future for everyone. "It makes a difference because [they] feel that they're not being passed off or ignored by the people that are coming into the community,” says McNevin. “It's just a little something to say, we appreciate you bringing your animal in and showing how much you love them by getting them vetted."

To learn about upcoming clinics and stay up-to-date with Northern Manitoba Paws in Need, follow along on Facebook and Instagram at @northernmanitobapawsinneed.