When a Cree community in northern Quebec was evacuated, there was no room for dogs in the airlift

Dogs squealed and wagged their tails. Some rolled onto their backs for belly-rubs as their owners returned after being separated for a week due to an evacuation notice in the Cree community of Eastmain. 

Young Claveau, the animal control officer for the village of about 900, was relieved to see the "joyful reunion" on Thursday as nearly 60 dogs were reunited with their families. More would be reunited over the days to come. 

"I think everyone got emotional to see their dogs back knowing that [we were] this close — that the whole community would be gone in flames." 

A week earlier, the village, located over 1,200 kilometres northwest of Quebec City, was among those evacuated due to forest fires and wildfire smoke. 

Initially, the dogs were supposed to be transported on the military helicopters after the 3-phase evacuation plan for residents. But when the neighbouring community of Wemindji also declared a state of emergency, the helicopters were diverted there.

"When they dropped off their dog, some people cried because they didn't want to leave … but they didn't really have a choice," said Marilyn Tomatuk, a volunteer who stayed behind to help.

The Eastmain dogs, all in their crates, set to travel, instead watched as the helicopter flew away.

"When we saw them fly away, we weren't too sure about if we could depend on them anymore," said Claveau.

"We weren't depressed, but we were disappointed, that's for sure. We were kind of disappointed that the animals would be left behind."

Claveau said he and two volunteers, Tomatuk and Soleil Brown, stayed behind. 

"I understand that human life comes first, but I think at this point it sheds some light on how we have to stick together and find ways to be able to protect our pets," said Claveau.

Claveau said caring for 80 dogs with different health, exercise and social needs was a challenge. 

"There was so much work to do, we had to do stuff that we never did before. Like I had to mix some baby milk made for dogs … I had to feed that to the puppies," said Claveau.

"With all this smoke they became really thirsty really quickly. So the first thing we would do is when we wake up is go give them a lot of water. And we had to ration our food."