A dog registry campaign continues on Squamish Lands. In August, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Community Safety Team started registering the Nation’s dogs. To date, more than 173 dogs now hold registration with the Nation. A real success.
The dog registration campaign, which sees Community Safety Team (CST) members going door to door, will continue with the aim that every dog on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh land is registered. We don’t know how many dogs live on Squamish land. We do know, from the North Shore to the Squamish Valley, there’s just under a thousand homes. The team is currently finishing their rounds on the Stawamus Reserve near Totem Hall, which will mean almost every home in the Squamish Valley has been visited. The current focus is on visiting every home on the X̱wemelch’stn (Capilano) Reserve.
On the North Shore, CST members have already visited 51 homes and registered 94 dogs. In the Squamish Valley, 39 homes were visited, and 79 dogs registered. Clearly, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw is a Nation of dog owners, with some homes having as many as six pups.
The Public Safety Department says some people are surprised by CST coming to their door and asking about dog registration. The team wants Squamish People to know they are asking people to register their dogs out of safety concerns. If the team is dealing with a dog issue, such as running at large, it makes it easier if the dog is registered and the owner can be notified.
Registering dogs also helps lost ones be returned to their families more quickly.
Registering a dog is free and once the paperwork is filled out, dog owners will get a tag for collars.
The top sticker on the tag will show the dog’s name, and the bottom will show its owner’s phone number. These registration/license tags will last until the end of next year.
For many in the Nation, this campaign is also their first opportunity to meet the staff of the Ta na wa Téy̓wilhay̓lhem (Public Safety) Department. This team includes Tiffany Wright, Animal Control, Lesley Natrall, Community Relations, and CST members Mark Antone, Robert John, and Anthony Joseph on the North Shore and Rebecca Billy and Vivian Joseph in Squamish Valley. They look forward to meeting families when they show up at your door in their dog registration campaign.
As the campaign to register every dog in the Nation continues, a reminder the registry is only for dogs. Cats and other pets are not included.
To register your dog yourself, or to report concerns or incidents about dogs or other animals, click here. You can also contact Public Safety for non-emergencies at public_safety@squamish.net or at 604-982-9938.