Animal rescue organizations in southern Ontario are in a race against Mother Nature to try and save pets and animals that have been forced from their homes due to raging wildfires in the north. New Collar Collective, a group operating in the Greater Toronto Area from Kitchener to Oshawa, is part of that effort. Liz Sauer, New Collar Collective co-founder, says people around the Thunder Bay area are stepping up to foster some animals in the hopes they can be returned to their families later, while strays and surrendered pets are coming further south. “The evacuations and the fires have certainly created more of a crisis situation right now,” Sauer said. “The overpopulation of animals in northern Canada – it has been ongoing for a long time. There are more programs now trying to help, but it’s an ongoing crisis. The urgency right now is certainly more significant because of the fires.” Sauer said a group known as Northern Reach Network in Thunder Bay is trying to ensure owned animals are not being sent to southern Ontario because their families may be living in hotels or in evacuation centres. “[The animals] will go back to their families once the emergencies have passed and they can take them back in. But the animals that come south are officially surrendered. So, they’re looking for new families,” she explained. Although its not unusual for organizations in southern Ontario to take in animals due to the lack of spay and neuter programs in the northern part of the province, that number has drastically increased since the wildfires began to burn. In the last week, Sauer says approximately 70 animals were dispersed among 16 rescue organizations. “Two weeks ago, 110 animals came down. That went to about 19 rescues. So, we don’t typically see a transport every two weeks. Usually it’s every month,” she said. A show of support However, while the need is growing, so is community support. “We’re really seeing it. We’re seeing people step up to foster who hadn’t really considered it before, or asking how they can help,” she said. “It’s been really rewarding to see the community step up.” New Collar Collective often works alongside Northern Connection Dog Rescue, which serves the Brantford area. One of Northern Connection Dog Rescue’s fosters is Stephanie Mealy in Kitchener. “About two weeks ago, it was all very quick, we found out what was going on,” Mealy said. “Then, within a few days, we had planned to take some dogs out.” Aurora, a five-week-old puppy, is currently in Mealy’s care. “She’s fantastic. She’s a very sweet girl. And she’s very social,” Mealey said. “She actually came with a litter. Unfortunately, she’s the only one to make it out of the litter.” Mealey said it was a bit of a panic and excitement for her, as she’s never dealt with an emergency foster before or fostered a puppy this young. She does have a German Shephard in her home, which she said Aurora gets along with. Mealey said she hasn’t decided whether she’s going to keep Aurora or put her up for adoption, but if she is put up for adoption, it’ll be in about two-and-a-half weeks. Mealey will also be the one deciding where she goes. “She’ll stay local to us. We do all of this area up to Toronto, I believe, we adopt out to, but she will be staying local,” Mealey said
