Photo: One of the seven dogs that are available for adoption at Northern Transitional Dog Rescue. / Chantel Downes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
By Chantel Downes
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Lakeland This Week
Northern Transitional Dog Rescue (NTDR) brought seven adoptable dogs to the pet store and partnered with Pet Valu on a kibble drive that ran from Feb. 2 to 7, collecting food and supplies to support the organization’s work. The Cold Lake location is one of several Pet Valu stores that support NTDR’s efforts.
Amanda Harder, co-founder of Northern Transitional Dog Rescue and Sanctuary, said the organization’s work extends far beyond rehoming animals.
“We’re an Indigenous-led rescue located north of Meadow Lake. We mostly work with reserves on their overpopulation of stray dogs, so we have contracts with the reserves.”
Harder said NTDR focuses on long-term, sustainable solutions by working directly with northern communities to reduce overpopulation, provide veterinary care, spay and neuter services, and support programs that address barriers to animal care, rather than simply removing dogs.
Limited access, high stakes
Geography remains one of the biggest challenges facing northern animal welfare, Harder said. Veterinary care is often hours away.
“The nearest vet is four hours away, and their wait list is two or three months long. It’s a big issue.”
Those limitations can place dogs at immediate risk, making rescues like NTDR a last line of defence.
“These dogs likely would have been euthanized . . . if we didn’t take them,” she added.
Why adoption matters
Harder said adoption events play a critical role in helping families make informed decisions.
“I think in-person adoption events are a lot more easy for people to really gauge the size of the dog. Pictures and videos don’t always do it justice, so when people can get [to] meet the personality of the dog, and bond with the dog . . . It’s a lot easier than just picking a dog you know nothing about.”
Harder says NTDR uses a structured adoption process that matches dogs with families based on lifestyle and energy needs, with all dogs undergoing behavioural assessments by qualified professionals before being placed in foster or adoptive homes.
Ethical rescue
Harder said NTDR aims to model ethical rescue standards, including accessibility and accountability.
“We keep our adoption fees low and accessible for all families. It’s $275 and that includes spay and neuter and their shots,” she explained.
Harder said NTDR offers trial-based adoptions with ongoing support, including access to training, and the organization will always take a dos back if a placement does not work out.
Challenging stereotypes
Harder also addressed the social challenges facing Indigenous-led rescues, noting NTDR has faced discrimination.
Some groups “really systemically go after Indigenous people” and paint all Indigenous pet owners with the same brush, she said, adding, NTDR is working to “change that narrative a little bit.”
Neglect and abuse are not confined to any one community, and “not all owners are bad, and abuse happens all over – whether it’s in an Indigenous community, in a city, [or] a farming community.”
Community support
NTDR relies heavily on community support to run its 160-acre rescue and sanctuary.
The rescue takes even takes dogs that have been on euthanasia list.
“We try to reassess them and rehabilitate them so they can be rehomed, or if they are not able to be rehomed, they live out their days at our property.”
Some of the dogs featured at the Cold Lake event came from urgent situations.
“These puppies are from Timber Bay . . . [A] Lady took them in as strays . . . and the community was threatening to shoot them all if they saw them outside again.”
Harder added, “We had a volunteer drive up and take them and put them into foster homes and now we’re trying to find them homes so that . . . they can get on the next leg of their journey.”
If local adoptions don’t work out, NTDR partners with rescues in Alberta, B.C., and Manitoba to ensure dogs still find homes.
Always in need of community support, Harder said the organization is specifically looking for new foster homes. Donations are also accepted, and Pet Valu locations in the area will accept dog food donations for the rescue.
Those looking to adopt or support the cause can contact Northern Transitional Dog Rescue through their website.