RCMP, volunteers rescue dogs from flooded Red Earth First Nation

“We have a connection with an RCMP officer out of Carrot River,” Phillips said. “It was she that said they needed to get the dogs out, so she initiated this.”

With the help of three other officers from the Carrot River detachment, which has been helping with the flooding emergency and some boats, they successfully rescued 16 dogs yesterday.

Carrot River RCMP members along with animal rescue volunteers saved multiple dogs from drowning in spring flood waters yesterday. (Image Credit: submitted/North of 54 Frontline Dog Rescue)

Another rescue organization called the Northern Pup Project was already on the scene helping out.

“The RCMP had to go on a boat to get these dogs,” Phillips said. “They were in water already. They just grabbed them and threw them in the boat and then put them in their cruisers and drove them. We met them at the Red Earth School.”

A rescued dog. (Image Credit: submitted/North of 54 Frontline Dog Rescue)

While part of the community is flooded, including a number of homes, part is on higher ground and remains safe.

Phillips said North of 54 keeps kennels on hand so they brought as many as they thought they could use and headed to Red Earth along with donated bedding and food.

Another rescuer is on his way to Red Earth with a supply of food for the dogs that remain and will be escorted by police as they distribute the food.

“They’re going to put out food so that those dogs that can’t get anywhere are going to have access to food. They’re kind of stuck on a little island,” she explained.

For the dogs that were rescued, they have been placed with a variety of foster families until their owners return home. Several have no owners but will be cared for until they have a place to go.

Harper took to social media several days ago, looking for fosters and donations of food and found some success.

“They’re going into homes and I was just trying to coordinate a little from here,” she said.

A dog happy to have some food.

Dogs have been sent to Arborfield, which is also facing flooding in the rural areas, Star City near Melfort and many in Nipawin.

Phillips herself kept six dogs in her garage overnight but is hoping to spread them out more as volunteers step up.

“They are very large breed dogs with no vetting (vet care) so that makes it a little difficult for people to be comfortable taking them,” Phillips said.

Both women are hoping for more help in the area of food or cash donations as they plan to get dewormer from the vet and also vaccinations for the puppies. Food and other supplies are also welcome along with a boarding or foster that is willing to take large dogs.

Nipawin’s Salvation Army has provided some dog food and a bunch of blankets but with peak flows still days away, more will likely be needed before the dogs can be returned.

Donation information is available via Harper or Phillips’ Facebook pages.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

by Susan McNeil

RCMP, volunteers rescue dogs from flooded Red Earth First Nation

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