The Rainy Lake Vet Service Committee is looking to Fort Frances for continued support.
It’s seeking $650 that will be applied to a program that provides area farms and others with large animals to receive a subsidy for travel costs of area veterinarians to visit.
The committee works with Northwest Animal Clinic and Kingsford Veterinary Services.
The program was first established in the 1960s with Fort Frances involved.
Funding is provided by area rural municipalities who pay a per capita fee while the towns of Rainy River, Atikokan, and Fort Frances pay a flat yearly charge.
Farmers in the unorganized townships pay five-dollars to be eligible for the subsidized rate.
Spokesperson Kim Jo Bliss says while there may be no one in Fort Frances who directly benefits from the program, the community benefits in other ways.
“A lot of the west and in the district does do business here, and I think that, I’d like to think that Dr. Dan (Pierroz) probably has good support from all ends of the district,” notes Bliss.
Councillor Andrew Hallikas supports providing the money.
“By helping out the district indirectly, we help out Fort Frances. I would like to see better cooperation between Fort Frances and all the district municipalities. I think being part of district-wide initiatives (like this) furthers that,” says Hallikas.
The issue is expected to come before town council next week for a decision.
