Humane Action for Iqaluit’s Dog Crisis

Iqaluit is facing a growing challenge with its loose dog population. The City’s current response—shooting unclaimed dogs after a 72-hour hold—has proven ineffective. Despite nearly two years of this approach, the problem persists. Now, a proposed bylaw amendment seeks to reduce the holding period to as little as 24 hours, allowing dogs without visible City tags to be killed at any time.

This is not a solution. It’s a symptom of a system failing to address the root causes.

Most of the dogs caught are not the aggressive ones—these are often family pets or puppies. The language in the proposed bylaw does nothing to focus enforcement on truly dangerous situations. We need to redirect resources and energy into humane, long-term solutions that actually work.

What can make a real difference:

• Free or low-cost spay/neuter clinics

• A microchip program

• Community outreach and education

• Tag delivery for residents with limited access

• Reintroducing the No Bite school program

• Supplies for pet owners (collars, tie-outs, etc.)

• Bylaws to prevent backyard breeding

• Restrictions on pet imports into the Territory

• Partnerships to build outdoor pens using donated materials

This fundraiser will support Nunavut Animal Rescue’s efforts to launch a city-wide, free spay and neuter clinic. Thanks to previous fundraising efforts like Chase the Ace, we’re well on our way—but we need to raise approximately $30,000 more to make it happen.

Let’s invest in a compassionate and effective future. Let’s stop the cycle of killing and start solving the problem. Let’s make our City safer.