Dogs, dogs and more dogs .... and a few cats too.
This was the scene when local pet owners and their furry friends lined up for free veterinary treatment at one of the pet clinics held in Burns Lake and the Southside last week by the Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) .
For eight days CAAT worked to provide their services to locals, holding a four day clinic on the Southside and another four day clinic at the Margaret Patrick Memorial Hall.
According to Donna Lasser, CAAT founder, the team provided veterinary treatment, including spaying and neutering, vaccinations, deworming and heath checks to more than 350 local dogs and cats.
"We have performed more than 250 surgeries and over 100 more animals that were already spayed or neutered were brought in for vaccinations and check-ups," she said.
Lasser said to Lakes District News that she started the organization in 2005 when hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and CAAT has provided free clinics in another six countries so far.
Lasser, who resides in Hope, B.C., has worked at the Granville Island Veterinary Clinic since 2004.
"It is more challenging [in Canada] as there are mandates that have to be met, so we try to go to under served areas. Burns Lake is the first place we have been to where there is a vet in the community," she said, adding that the team were required to gain permission from all vets in the Burns Lake, Smithers, Houston and Vanderhoof areas before they were allowed to come.
"If there were any 'no' responses we could not have come," she added.
"We don't want to take away income from the local vets ... generally the animals we see at the clinics are the ones that are not being taken to the vet for whatever reason," Lasser said.
Lasser said they have had tremendous support from the veterinarians in the area, many of whom have rolled up their sleeves to pitch in.
"The veterinarians all know there is a great need for this service in the community," said Alistair Schroff, local resident and member of the Lakes Animal Friendship Society who were integral in bringing CAAT to Burns Lake.
Lasser agreed, adding that veterinarians and their assistants from Burns Lake, Prince George and Vanderhoof arrived at the clinic over the eight days to volunteer alongside CAAT.
"The response has been overwhelming ... I knew there was a need so we did as much work as possible with setting up and organizing and making sure that people would show up because we wanted to help as many animals as possible," Schroff added.
"We have never had this in any community, the amount of support for us, the education [about spaying and neutering and animal care] in schools, the local volunteering, the great venue and the amount of people arriving with their animals .... there is definitely a need here," Lasser said
"Community members were really grateful, many of them knew the importance of spaying and neutering their pets but were not able to get them to the vet for a number of reasons," he said.
"The CAAT team worked until 9 p.m. some nights just to keep up with the demand, they are very dedicated," Schroff added.
Lasser said she also found that the dogs that had been brought in to the clinic had been very well socialized.
"In many communities there are a good number of dogs that we would have to muzzle because you can't get near them .... here there were only a couple like that ... this is awesome to see."
Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue owner David Labatte was also on hand volunteering at the clinic. He had brought in a number of dogs for vet care and was also bringing in dogs from Tachet.
Since 1990 a total of 4555 dogs have been surrendered to Turtle Gardens and Labatte said he was very grateful to the CAAT team for providing the service in the local area.
Corporal Justin Frederick from the Burns Lake RCMP detachment also volunteered his time to help out at the clinics saying to Lakes District News he wanted to pitch in to such a worthy cause.
Lasser said the CAAT team are hoping to come back to Burns Lake to offer more assistance. "I think we could come twice a year and there would still be plenty of work for us to do," she added.
Lakes Animal Friendship Society have an account set up at the Royal Bank of Canada, Burns Lake branch to accept donations. The society also needs foster families for animals and help picking up food. For more information on how to help contact Valerie Ingram on 250-694-3696 or email lakesidelegacy@yahoo.ca. For more information on animal welfare go to www.animalwelfarebc.org.