Niagara Dog Rescue, Manitoba groups work to re-home strays and dogs surrendered after wildfires

Ernie the dog has a home thanks to the efforts of rescue organizations in Manitoba and Ontario.

And he's not the only animal being given a chance to have a place to belong.

A week ago, Gwen Leong and other volunteers from Niagara Dog Rescue brought about 30 dogs from Fisher River Cree Nation to Grimsby, Ont., following a spay, neuter and vaccine clinic.

Ernie, a "gentle giant," was among dogs that were either stray or surrendered for adoption, Leong said.

Community members had asked Niagara Dog Rescue to take the Great Pyrenees-Saint Bernard mix in, along with dozens of others, he said. The dogs also were putting a strain on northern Manitoba communities, some of which were impacted by wildfires.  

"He was a big guy and just sort of eating their food," Leong said.

"We knew where he was, and every day we would try and make friends with him and say, 'We're going to come for you at the end of the trip."

Although Fisher River was not directly affected by the wildfires in Manitoba this spring, some of the dogs from the First Nation had been surrendered, Leong said. They included two expectant dogs that are now in Ontario. One was due to give birth just as Leong spoke to CBC Hamilton on June 26.

Niagara Dog Rescue is run by volunteers and relies on a network of about 150 foster homes as it doesn't have a kennel. 

"Our work is global," Roci Freeman, the dog rescue's Oakville, Ont.-based executive director.

The organization has picked up dogs from as far away as Ukraine, Mexico and the Caribbean region. It began working with Fisher River two years ago and built relationships with Manitoba rescue groups to take in dogs from throughout that province. 

Members from multiple groups, including The Ark Project, which managed the animal clinic, travelled to Fisher River the weekend of June 21. 

The Ark Project, which is based in Winnipeg, works with First Nations communities to spay, neuter and vaccinate pets, find homes for animals in need and provide pet supplies. This was the 10th year it's held a clinic in Fisher River, Kayla Simpson, an Ark Project volunteer, told CBC Hamilton via text message. Seventy animals were fixed and approximately 40 were vaccinated, she said. 

Such annual clinics are part of the volunteer-run group's regular operations, Simpson said, and something they're working to continue as there's more need due to the wildfires.