Our Mission

Assisting rural, remote Indigenous communities in achieving healthy, balanced, safe communities for people and their dogs.

Healthy Dogs = Healthy Communities

About Canine Action Project Inc.

Residents of rural and remote Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan experience higher rates of animal related fatalities, due to large free-roaming dog populations that often lack access to veterinary care or sustainable management practices. Canine Action Project (CAP) is a Canadian registered charity that assists such communities to achieve optimal health for people, animals and the environment through an integrated One Health approach.

One Health recognizes the links between human, animal and environmental health and associated community well being. In working with our target communities to improve the health of their dogs we are helping to achieve healthier, safer balanced communities for people and their dogs.

Great successes have been achieved to date, through a collaborative effort among community members, CAP volunteers, veterinary personnel, public health, university researchers and community based health representatives. The phases of our project are designed to improve animal and human health, increase animal and human health literacy and benefit community well-being in indigenous communities.

Phase 1 –Stakeholders Meeting

This meeting engages community leadership about CAP services, local dog-related concerns, on-going dog management practices, options for humane dog population control, and the relationship between human and animal health.

Phase 2 - Elder's Teas

Elder's Teas ensure that CAP provides culturally relevant programming by facilitating conversation between residents and community elders, who share their traditional knowledge of dogs, past and present.

Phase 3 - Community Information Session

A town hall style gathering for community members to learn more about Canine Action Project, what we offer and how it would be beneficial for their pets and their community.

Phase 4 – Dog Demographics

Comprehensive surveillance to quantify dog populations, including reproduction, vaccination and health status. All data is entered into a central database accessible by public health officials and CAP to be used in cases of dog-related injury (e.g. rabies vaccination status) and ensuring up-to-date preventative veterinary services.

Phase 5 - On-Site Spay/Neuter Clinic

On-site spay/neuter clinics are hosted in the community to stabilize the dog population. All dogs attending clinics are spayed/neutered, vaccinated against rabies and other preventable canine diseases, dosed with parasite control and tattooed for future identification. Data is entered into a central database.

Phase 6 - Engagement for Sustainability

This phase focuses on long term sustainability in communities who have already completed Phases 1-5. Creating a community action plan and employing Dog Management Workers are essential components to ensuring continued success of the program.

These phases empower Indigenous communities to create safer, healthier environments for people and their dogs by providing the knowledge and resources that enable them play a greater role in maintaining their animals’ health.