Matawa Pets & People

10/04/2026

Another example of the First Nation's model of delivering veterinary care to their community.

Dog health = Public health

These programs are not simply "dog programs"; they are also public health programs.

Access to rabies prevention and surveillance in Southern Ontario is easy and plentiful. For Northern communities, especially First Nations, it is extremely difficult and very rare.

2027 will be the year we shift from the status quo to building programs by the North for the North.

10/03/2026

Listening to and gaining knowledge from First Nations to manage their lands and animals is a critical first step in building plans that actually work.

Programs must be created and led by the North and for the North, or they will fail. Full stop.

Matawa Animal Wellness Services is so honoured to be a small part of bringing people together to change the status quo - because it must be done.

Preparations for the official launch of Ontario Pet Emergency Network are well underway with this Listening Tour. Emotions of reliving what happened in the fires are difficult, but it is work we need to do.

Miigwetch VAC Community Veterinarian Program and William Woodstock for your leadership and expertise in this area.

Kichi-miigwetch to Nathan Thomas Caleb Atlookan and Chief and Council for leading the way in creating a healthier and safer community for all...including the four-leggeds.

Yesterday I had the privilege of travelling to Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope), where I met Nathan.
This summer, Fort Hope was evacuated as a wildfire burned just a couple of kilometres from the community. Nathan stayed behind to care for an estimated 600 dogs that had to be left behind, all while also fighting the fire.
Yesterday we went through the community making sure the dogs are ready for winter, packing dog houses with straw and building new shelters where they were needed.
Nathan's actions saved hundreds of animals. His humility was unbelievable, and it really put into perspective the dedication these communities have for their animals.
Emergency preparedness now means planning for the animals too. With our experienced team of dedicated professionals, and in partnership with organizations like Matawa Pets & People and Northern Reach Network , we're working to have plans in place before the next emergency.

10/01/2026

Eabametoong First Nation - Need straw to keep your warm this winter?

We will be in your community delivery house to house. Oct 1st in the afternoon.

Connect with Nathan Thomas Caleb Atlookan to get some delivered.

09/30/2026

We honour National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Artist Chris Chipak is a member of Red Pheasant Cree Nation.

https://www.inchipakwetrust.ca/about

09/29/2026

Bbbrrrrr starting to get cold. We are preparing for the winter.

Straw and tarp delivery. Sept 30th - Ginoogaming First Nation and Long Lake #58 First Nation.

Please message Judi Cannon if you have a spot for straw - dog house - under stairs etc.

Chi-Miigwetch to Northern Reach Network and PetSmart Charities of Canada.

09/28/2026

Eabametoong First Nation - Sign up early!

https://forms.gle/yUBn9WypKNtKp4qN8

09/27/2026

Keeping stray, feral and abandoned cats warmer this winter.

Great idea for old coolers sitting around! Add some straw NO blankets (they freeze with moisture), and place the door facing a wall to break the wind.

WINTER IS COMING — AND WE NEED A LITTLE HELP! ❄️

UPDATE AS OF 10 am Sept 29th

📣 WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR MORE COOLER DONATIONS! 🐾

As we continue preparing our winter shelters for our community cats, we are still in need of more coolers!

If you have any larger coolers you are no longer using, please consider donating them to help keep our outdoor cats warm and protected this winter. ❤️ please clean.

Please SEND ME A PRIVATE MESSAGE (PM) for drop-off locations. Josie Cipriani

🚗 Unable to drop them off? No problem! We may be able to arrange drivers to help with pick-ups.

Every cooler donated helps us make a difference for our street cats!

Thank you for helping us help the cats! 🐈❤️

UPDATE AS OF 10 pm Sept 27th

We’re incredibly grateful for everyone who has offered to help. Thank you for your interest and for wanting to be part of helping us help the cats on the streets. ❤️

✅ TOOL to make the holes
Purchased and donated by Tony J in memory of his beautiful boy Julius.

✅ STRAW donated by Cam in honour of Lucy one if his TNR kitties.

✅ Weeping Tile donated by Cam in honour of Lucy one if his TNR kitties.

✅ Gorilla Tape to be purchased with money donated

✅ COOLERS (large) Clean - STILL COLLECTING

✅ Ariyana Botejue Thank you for your generous donation
The money will be used for miscellaneous cost while we are building the shelters and put directly towards food/care as needed for our Street CATS. 

**************

Winter is coming quickly, and we’re starting to prepare some warm outdoor shelters for our community cats. ❤️

We’ve been fortunate enough to have several coolers donated to Hamilton Street CATS that we’d like to turn into insulated shelters.

🔨 Is there anyone in the Hamilton/Ancaster area who has the tools and skills to cut entrance holes into these coolers for us?

It’s a fairly simple job, but we don’t have the right tools to do it ourselves.

If you’re handy and would be willing to help, please PM Josie Cipriani . We’d be incredibly grateful! 🐱❤️

Every shelter means one more community cat has a warm, dry place to get through our Canadian winter. ❄️🐾

Thank you, as always, to our amazing community for helping us help them.

IF YOU HAVE A LARGE COOLER YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE WE CAN PROVIDE A DROP OFF LOCATION!
Please clean them before donating. We are stretched as volunteers for time/resources.

ALSO LOOKING FOR CLEAN/DRY STRAW
(NOT HAY)

THANK YOU

09/26/2026

09/26/2026

We Are All Connected.

Great article in AAHA Trends Magazine.

09/24/2026

Community safety is a priority. Safety for people and pets.

Here are some tips that may be useful. Check out IFAW YouTube channel for more information.

Please share!

We know, we know. Many dogs are walking the streets in our communities like humans are. Here are some tips for when you encounter them (talk to your children about some these tips). Also, scan the QR code on your phone for the IFAW YouTube channel for more information (also in comments). PLEASE SHARE!