The Rez Dog Crisis
Animal Justice Academy Lunchtime Live
With Katie Powell & Jumpsey Mercer
12pm - 1pm

Dog overpopulation in many remote First Nations communities in Manitoba has reached a crisis point due to a severe lack of resources—limited access to veterinary care, spay/neuter services, and even basic food supplies.

As a result, thousands of dogs and puppies freeze to death in Manitoba's harsh winters, suffer from starvation, or are shot in culls—often enduring slow, painful deaths.

To add to the tragedy, dog attacks occur in communities lacking bylaws, enforcement officers, dog food, and vet care. Children in reserve communities are 180 times more likely to be attacked by a dog than other children.

Katie Powell, founder of Save A Dog Network Canada, and Jumpsey Mercer, a dog advocate and rescuer in the community of Pukatawagan, join us for this AJA Lunchtime Live to talk about this complex crisis and what can be done.

We'll look at how colonial harm, racism, and intergenerational trauma factor into the challenges. We'll find out about the rescue groups and First Nations community members and leaders working tirelessly to find solutions. And we'll discuss the need for federal and provincial governments to step up to support a comprehensive, Indigenous-led plan to protect dogs and community safety in Manitoba.

Katie and Jumpsey will also share details about the first-ever Rez Dog Networking Conference happening in Winnipeg this May.

*We invite folks to have their video on during this event to enhance the sense of community, but it’s not mandatory

About Our Guests: 

Katie Powell is the founder and president of Save A Dog Network Canada, a Winnipeg-based organization dedicated to rescuing and advocating for rez dogs, particularly in northern Manitoba communities. Her commitment to animal welfare has led her to collaborate closely with Indigenous communities to develop sustainable, community-led programs that address overpopulation and improve canine health. Katie’s efforts include facilitating spay and neuter clinics and providing essential veterinary services to underserved areas. Her dedication has earned her recognition as a leading advocate for canine welfare in the province.

Jumpsey Mercer is a dedicated Cree woman from Wabowden, Manitoba, who has lived in Pukatawagan for over 30 years. She works as a public health assistant and has been in the health field for six years, witnessing firsthand the impact of dog overpopulation and neglect in her community.

Recognizing the challenges faced by community dogs, many of whom go unfed, unspayed, and unneutered, leading to health and safety issues for community members, Jumpsey has taken it upon herself to initiate humane and community-driven solutions with Chief and Council. She volunteers her time to help roaming dogs, ensuring they receive food daily. She also works alongside organizations like Save A Dog Network to humanely remove unwanted dogs, and bring spay and neuter clinics to Pukatawagan, offering essential veterinary care such as birth control implants, surgeries, vaccinations and deworming.

With a strong sense of purpose, Jumpsey is committed to correcting past injustices and bringing light to the future. She believes in the power of one person to make a difference and continues to dedicate herself to improving both human and animal welfare in her community. Through her resilience and grassroots activism, she is paving the way for a more compassionate and sustainable approach to dog management in Pukatawagan, in Manitoba and across Canada.