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RANKIN INLET - Animal health specialists from Winnipeg's Tuxedo Animal Hospital made their annual house call to Rankin Inlet this past week.

Veterinarian Colleen Marion and animal health technician Leigh Weatherburn saw more than 70 pets during their three days in Rankin.

Veterinarian Colleen Marion of the Tuxedo Animal Hospital of Winnipeg, Man., trims Maurice, a four-year-old bejan poodle, as owner Fred Montpetit lends a helping hand during a pet clinic held in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The visit was sponsored by the Kangiqliniq Spay and Neuter Group.

Group spokesperson Page Burt said Marion performed more than 30 surgeries during the visit, in addition to about 40 other scheduled appointments.

She said local pet owners have to realize the team can only see so many animals while in the community.

"People need to respond early when they first see the advertisements for the visit and not call at the last minute," said Burt.

"We'd like to see all local pet owners seriously consider spaying their female dogs to help decrease the number of unwanted puppies being born in our community.

"People should also take vaccinations for their pets seriously because rabies is such a problem in the North.

"It's the right thing to do to help protect everyone in the community."

Gabe Karlik has two family pets; Fifi, a 13-year-old terrier mix, and Max, a six-year-old sitchu mix.

He said his dogs always get their annual checkup, have their ears examined and receive any vaccinations they may need.

"Max needs a little extra attention due to a recurring ear infection," said Karlik.

"They often put him to sleep for a while so they can clean his ears well.

"He can be a bit of a problem because he often tries to fight it."

Karlik said he's happy with the care his dogs get from the Tuxedo Animal Hospital staff who visit.

He said owners have become more responsible in Rankin during the past few years when it comes to caring for their pets.

"That's been especially true in the past few years when we've seen parvo and other diseases appear.

"More people have been taking their pets to the clinic for annual vaccinations and things of that nature.

"There's also more of a gap now between dogs viewed as traditional or working dogs and family pets."

Karlik doesn't see a full-time vet coming to Rankin for at least another 10 years.

He said for the most part, the annual visits have worked well for his pets.

"The one thing about the people who come here from Tuxedo is that you can give them a call when you need them and they do whatever they can over the phone," said Karlik.

"They also give you a call once in awhile to see how your pet's doing and it's nice to know they have that concern for its well being.

"We view our dogs as members of our family and couldn't live without them."