PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Our organization works with communities to educate about animal wellness, promote responsible pet ownership, and ensure the well-being of animals in need.
A healthy north
The foundation of One Health is that the health of people, animals, and the environment is intimately linked; therefore, working in a more integrated fashion will lead to meaningful and sustainable solutions. This aligns with the Indigenous perspective of transformation and renewal in the natural world.
Our organization works with communities to educate about animal wellness, promote responsible pet ownership, and ensure the well-being of animals in need. By providing shelter, rehabilitation, training, and support, we positively impact the lives of the animals and the community they live in. In 2024 we began regular in-shelter clinics, concentrating on spay and neuters, vaccinations, and nutrition.
The NWT SPCA has begun to integrate the ‘One Health’ Approach to Animal Wellness.
Animal Wellness CLinics
In late 2023, the NWT SPCA put a call out to Vet professionals across the country.
The call was to see if there was interest in visiting the North for in-shelter or community Animal Wellness Clinic at our facility. We had an amazing response and now we have established regular teams coming up to do both community and in-shelter clinics focussing on spay and neutering. In 2024 we welcomed 6 teams (veterinarian and RVT) to complete 6 separate clinics in the NWT. One under the PetSmart Charities Grant in Katlodeeche First Nation, and five in-shelter. We look forward to at least six clinics each year going forward. This was an objective in our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, and we are proud to have met this goal.
Animal
Wellness CLinics
In late 2023, the NWT SPCA put a call out to Vet professionals across the country.
The call was to see if there was interest in visiting the North for in-shelter or community Animal Wellness Clinic at our facility. We had an amazing response and now we have established regular teams coming up to do both community and in-shelter clinics focussing on spay and neutering. In 2024 we welcomed 6 teams (veterinarian and RVT) to complete 6 separate clinics in the NWT. We continue on into 2025 and 2026 with planned clinics, both in shelter and in the community. One under the PetSmart Charities Grant in Katlodeeche First Nation, and five in-shelter. We look forward to at least six clinics each year going forward. This was an objective in our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, and we are proud to have met this goal.
SHELTER FACILITY
In 2010, the Board applied for and won a $300,000 grant through the AVIVA Community Foundation of Canada.
This started the ball rolling with major fund-raising efforts to build a facility in the Engle Business District. In October 2012, the shelter opened its doors. Since that time, we have slowly improved and completed more of the facility to better accommodate the animals and our program needs. We have saved the lives of 1000’s of animals since. Through fostering, adopting within and outside of the Territory, and transferring to other reliable dog rescues in Canada, we have rescued and re-homed all these animals without any regular government funding. We have an outstanding, supportive community behind us. Our facility can hold up to thirty-two dogs and twelve cats at any given time. This includes twenty-five indoor kennels for dogs, seven outdoor kennels, and a cat room that contains ten individual cat condos. We have multiple dog exercise enclosures on our property and employ up to fifteen people.
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BECOME A FLIGHT BUDDY
A flight buddy is a passenger who adds a dog onto their ticket and “escorts” them from Yellowknife to another Animal Rescue in Canada.
If you love animals and have a scheduled flight, you can escort pets to their new homes, in-cabin or checked luggage. It is free, and no experience is needed. You call to add the dog and we’ll meet you at the airport. We pay at check-in or reimburse you the cost. We’ve got your back every step of the way.
What does a “flight buddy” mean
to the animal rescue community?
To put it simply… for a dog, flight buddies are the link to a new life. There are simply too many dogs in the North and not enough families to love them. We have established a trusted network of rescues in Canada. These rescues give our northern specials a chance with a new family.
Northern
Pet transport
Every year we help an average of 700 dogs by transporting them out of the communities of the NWT.
Some stay here in the Territory, but many are flown out to the southern rescue organizations that can foster and adopt them into great homes. This Network of organizations is an incredible chain of caring individuals with a passion for helping as many dogs as possible. Without these wonderful people, so many animals would not be alive today or would be suffering greatly.
WE'RE HERE TO HELP
ANIMAL SURRENDER
AND RE-HOMING
Re-homing a pet should be the last resort for any pet guardian, but we understand that sometimes unexpected or unavoidable life changes happen, and it is in the best interest of a pet or family.
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SNAP PROGRAM
Cats can have up to 3 litters a year, dogs can have 2 litters a year. This leads to thousands of unwanted dogs and cats in the North. The NWT SPCA is committed to reducing this problem by offering SNAP.
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LAST LITTER PROJECT
Accidents happen! The Last Litter Project is here to help. The goal of this program is to remove obstacles for families by helping them get their pets spayed - to permanently stop unwanted litters.
