BY JASON THOMPSON
With 2,000 pounds of dog food in tow, Alison McAllister is braving the wicked northern winds in a bid to feed hungry pooches in Kashechewan.
McAllister, a senior inspector for the SPCA in Northern Ontario, left Greater Sudbury airport Wednesday at 6 am with a planeload of dog chow.
Unfortunately, she only made it to Timmins before bad weather grounded the crew for the night.
She was hoping to resume her trip yesterday.
Winds were so bad along the James Bay coast that school on the island of Moose Factory was cancelled yesterday since the water taxis and helicopters couldn't deliver kids to school in the storm.
On Nov. 3, the SPCA received a call from a resident in Kashechewan, who had taken in many dogs left behind in the evacuation, asking for dog food since she was running low on her own supply.
"The issue currently is the fact that the people who would generally care for the animals have been removed from the community, that leaves the dogs with nobody tending to them," said McAllister.
Treating the First Nation reserve like any other part of the province, McAllister and the SPCA began searching for food, and transportation to deliver the goods. She said the food should last the approximately 80 dogs about four or five weeks.
Two Greater Sudbury Pet Value locations and Pet Smart came to the rescue with the dog food, said McAllister. Nestle Purina has also provided enough food for a second trip closer to Christmas.
The trouble, explains McAllister, is getting the food to the hungry dogs and their caretaker since transportation costs are paid for through the SPCA, in the amount of $3,200 for a return trip.
"We're looking for assistance from the public," said McAllister. "If people want to make a donation to assist with the cost of transportation we would be happy to have it."
Anyone interested in making a donation to subsidize the transportation costs can do so by calling the Ontario SPCA at 1-888-ONT-SPCA. Be sure to specify the donation is for the Sudbury branch of the SPCA when calling.
