Mae Bacher Animal Shelter
Position Statements
Spay and Neuter
Position
At the Humane Society Yukon, we firmly believe that domestic animals must be spayed or neutered by duly licensed veterinarians.
Reasoning
- We see spay and neuter as a necessary requirement for population control.
- Spaying and neutering also increases both quality and length of life for dogs and cats while reducing the number of unwanted animals.
Details
An effective spay and neuter program should include:
- A public education component which discourages breeding and describes the benefits of spay/neutering;
- Travelling veterinary services to communities which do not have resident vets;
- Grants or subsidies to support the altering of dogs and cats which are in the care of individuals who need financial assistance;
- Mandated spay/neutering of all animals which are collected by animal control officers;
- Heavy licence fees for individuals who choose to keep their dogs or cats unaltered;
- Effective spay and neuter legislation at the municipal or territorial level.
Dog Care Standards
Position
At Humane Society Yukon, we firmly believe that the same standards should apply to the care of ALL dogs. These standards include adequate food and shelter, minimal tethering, lifelong commitment by animal owners, and safe, secure transportation when dogs must ride in motor vehicles.
Reasoning
All animals are entitled to a minimum of basic care. There is no difference between the needs of a pet dog and those of a working dog.
Details
- All dogs require adequate shelter that provides protection from excessive heat, cold, wind, rain, snow and other adverse weather conditions. For dogs that live predominantly indoors, this shelter may be the house of the person they live with. For outdoor dogs, an adequately sized, insulated and clean dog kennel is required.
- No dog should be kept on a tether except on a short term basis (i.e. a few hours at a time). Long-term tethering of dogs restricts freedom of movement, and can result in physical health problems as well as behavioural problems such as aggression. Instead of tethering, dogs should be provided with secure yards or pens in which they can run, play, interact with other animals, and defecate away from their living and eating areas.
- Dog owners have a lifelong commitment to provide care for the animals that live with them. Dogs should be provided with veterinary care as needed, quality food on a daily basis, fresh water at all times, and regular attention so that health problems are identified early. Dogs should not be disposed of when they are no longer considered useful, regardless of whether they are considered to be pets or working animals.
- When dogs must be transported in a vehicle, they should be inside a secure part of the vehicle, such as the inside of a car, the cab of a truck, or a carrying kennel which is anchored to the back of a pick-up truck. Under no circumstances should dogs be transported loose in the back of a pick-up truck.