Matawa Pets & People

CELEBRATING CHANGEMAKERS ON INTERNATIONAL DOG DAY

On International Dog Day, the Southern Chiefs' Organization (SCO) celebrates the people who are going above and beyond to care for dogs in their First Nations.

One such person is the inspirational June Thomas of Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation.

What began as “June’s Adoptables” has grown into Community Animal Care Services (CACS), a dedicated animal shelter supporting animals and their families in Roseau River.

June’s work includes helping with animal shelter intake, transporting animals to rescues and veterinarians, and providing pet food to families who need support.

She also helps to find loving homes for dogs and animals that have been surrendered. If you are able to provide a safe home for a dog, please consider reaching out to June.

Her compassion for animals has grown into a community-based effort that continues to make a difference.

CACS is hosting an upcoming spay, neuter, and vaccine clinic on September 19, 2026.

Registration is open until September 11, 2026.

The clinic requires a $50 deposit, while the shelter will cover the cost for a limited number of spots based on income.

If you have a dog or cat who could benefit from these services, consider registering.

For more information or to register, contact Community Animal Care Services at 431-335-9875 or email: [email protected]

For more information about the clinic, visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DumEgXmtA/

If you'd like to make a financial donation to support June's work, you are also welcome to do so.

Today, SCO celebrates June and the many community members who work tirelessly to ensure dogs are treated with the care, compassion, and love they deserve. 🐾

If you know of a person or an animal rescue group that you would like to recognize on International Dog Day, please feel free to leave their name and share a bit about them in the comments!

Heroes come in all forms...this one had 4 paws.

An Ontario dog is being honoured for helping save her owners after a roughly 300-pound black bear burst into their Nipigon home. Chloe, a seven-year-old mixed breed, sprang into action during the Sept. 16, 2025 encounter, alerting Joe Shwetz before helping him and his wife, Colette, force the bear down their basement stairs.

Despite suffering serious bites and scratches, Chloe reportedly kept charging and barking whenever the bear tried to climb back upstairs until police arrived. She’s now been named a 2026 Purina Animal Hall of Fame recipient. Her owners have a simpler title: “our hero.”

Such an important topic.

Join Drs. Alena Gadoury and Kat Williams, veterinarians and founders of VetHerd, for an important conversation about su***de prevention in the veterinary profession.

Drawing on Dr. Gadoury's PhD research into su***de prevention among veterinarians and VetHerd's industry-focused approach to supporting veterinary professionals, this webinar will explore risk factors affecting the profession, current su***de prevention efforts, and practical skills that individuals can use to help keep themselves and others safe.

Su***de is preventable, and everyone has a role to play. By attending, you'll contribute to a growing Canadian network of veterinary professionals committed to fostering connection, safety, and life-saving conversations within our community.

📅 September 10, 2026
🕖 7:00-8:00pm Eastern time
🔗 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9543u9yQTJqnqpkLlvEYlw #/registration

In recognition of World Su***de Prevention Day, Merck Animal Health and CVMA have partnered with VetHerd to offer this free, one-hour webinar as part of their Time to Talk About Mental Health in Veterinary Medicine initiative. Please note that this webinar will be presented in English. AI-powered translation and subtitles, including Canadian French, will be provided by Wordly.

***

Joignez-vous aux Dres Alena Gadoury et Kat Williams, vétérinaires et cofondatrices de VetHerd, pour une conversation importante sur la prévention du su***de au sein de la profession vétérinaire.

Ce webinaire s’appuie sur les recherches doctorales de la Dre Gadoury sur la prévention du su***de chez les vétérinaires ainsi que sur l’approche de VetHerd axée sur le soutien aux professionnels du domaine. Il mettra en lumière les facteurs de risque associés à la profession, les efforts de prévention du su***de en cours, ainsi que des habiletés pratiques que chacun peut utiliser pour assurer sa propre sécurité et celle des autres.

Le su***de est évitable, et chacun a un rôle à jouer. En y assistant, vous contribuerez à un réseau canadien grandissant de professionnels vétérinaires engagés à favoriser la connexion, la sécurité et des conversations porteuses de vie au sein de notre communauté.

📅 10 septembre 2026, de 19 h à 20 h HAE
🔗 Inscrivez-vous à l’avance à cette réunion : https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9543u9yQTJqnqpkLlvEYlw #/registration

En reconnaissance de la Journée mondiale de la prévention du su***de, Merck Santé Animale et l’ACMV se sont associés au « Centre for Su***de Prevention » pour offrir un webinaire gratuit d’une heure dans le cadre de leur initiative « Il est temps de parler de santé mentale au travail ». Veuillez noter que ce webinaire sera présenté en anglais. Une traduction et des sous-titres alimentés par l’IA, y compris en français canadien, seront offerts grâce à Wordly.

Monday Aug 17 2026 - Please see update below.

Before heading to the clinic, always check VAC Community Veterinarian Program page for updates.

We appreciate our hardworking partners and their need for a well-deserved rest and regrouping.

Please take the time to complete the survey.

Sharing your experiences can help to hopefully shape legislation, policies, and funding in the future.

Great vet team effort! Using technology to expand services to accommodate as many pets as possible. 🐾🐈🐕😍

Please see their Facebook VAC Community Veterinarian Program for daily updates.

Thank you, Northern Reach Network, for supporting us with volunteers and general running around town to help with operations!

See you at the Matawa Health Co-operative Matawa Training and Wellness Centre.