Is Halloween the Scariest Day for Dogs?

Photo Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals

Halloween is typically a terrible day for dogs and cats for all the usual reasons:

• Fireworks

• Masqueraded strangers wandering around

• Rando-dogs following their masqueraded people into other dog's territories

  
  

However, the scariest day for a dog or cat in a chronically under-serviced, rural, remote and Indigenous community, and their family, is the day they get sick or injured (attacked by a dog, hit by a car, etc.) and realize that the federal and provincial governments have largely left the delivery of essential community safety services, like veterinary care, up to hit-and-miss volunteerism and one-and-done philanthropy to manage.

Needless to say, volunteerism and philanthropy cannot keep up with the health and safety needs of these animals and their communities. www.increasedaccess.org is developing a strategy and philanthropic fund to get the delivery of essential animal-related services, that directly impact community safety, beyond philanthropy and volunteerism.

How is Increased ACCESS doing this?

In addition to the direct animal/community safety services that Increased ACCESS facilitates (with families, organizations and Indigenous governments), we are working at the provincial and federal levels to disrupt a long-standing, inequitable status quo that benefits urban, non-Indigenous communities and organizations. We are advocating for some long-overdue policy changes. This too will include some scary days given that those in power rarely, if ever, share the power without a fight.

How can you make the world less scary for the most vulnerable in our society?

If you represent an Indigenous community, please email us to explore your community joining Increased ACCESS as a member.

Do you work with a large or small animal service provider like an SPCA, Humane Society, a 'rescue' or animal shelter? Email us to discuss how we can work together too.

Ironically, donated funds are needed to get beyond needing donations and volunteerism to keep animals and communities safe. Donations can be sent to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/increased-access/

If you represent a foundation or other investing group and want to make a huge impact on animal and Indigenous community safety, please email to discuss collaboration ideas:

info@increasedaccess.org