STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB FOUNDATION
The Canadian Kennel Club Foundation/Fondation du club canin canadien (hereinafter referred to as "the Foundation") will be established as a federal non-share capital, nonprofits charitable corporation which will be dedicated to the enhancement of the health and welfare of dogs to the mutual benefit of both the dogs and the people in Canadian society.
The Board of Directors of the Foundation will be drawn from the Canadian Kennel Club, the schools of Veterinary Medicine in Canada and other national not-for-profit organizations with animal-related objects to ensure a broadly based, interdisciplinary approach in governing its activities.
The Foundation intends to fulfil the objects set out in its Application for Incorporation by undertaking the following activities:
1. Sponsoring Research
The Foundation will fund original research into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in dogs, especially those believed to be hereditary, by competitive review of applications from researchers. It is expected that such research will normally, but not necessarily, be conducted at one of Canada's four colleges of veterinary medicine. The Foundation may also sponsor research seminars and workshops for investigators to facilitate information sharing and cross-fertilization of ideas and results.
Since many diseases, particularly the hereditary diseases, which occur in dogs also occur in other species, including humans, much of the research on dogs will inherently advance understanding of diseases in all species and so directly or indirectly benefit humans.
It will further the knowledge of breeders through the support of education programs designed to enhance breeder awareness of hereditary diseases and provide information on effective breeding practices in the areas of nutrition, animal husbandry, health, genetics, anatomy, behaviour, and ethics.
An advisory committee will be established by the Board of Directors to recommend the distribution of available funding to applicants based on the results of peer review and established priorities.
2. Promotion of the Human-Animal Bond and Its Benefits
The mutual benefits of the unique relationship between companion animals and humans have been well established and their recognition has been ref1ected in a growing number of organizations which are training dogs to aid the physically disabled and to assist in therapeutic services.
The Foundation will promote public awareness of the benefits which dogs, as either companion or service animals, bring to Canadian society, through the publication of brochures, articles in newspapers and other media. The Foundation will also encourage the development of ethical programs to properly train service dogs and users. Furthermore, the Foundation will ardently support the education of the general public in the responsibilities of pet ownership through educational forums, printed materials and online ventures. The Foundation will distribute publications and will arrange for events and seminars to facilitate awareness. The Foundation may enter into Agency Agreements with training centres, guide dog schools, community service clubs and kennel clubs to act as its agent in carrying out its initiatives in educating the general public through programs such as Canine Good Neighbour and other valuable curriculum which promotes the importance of companion or service animals.
3. Support Effective Animal Control Legislation
Animal control legislation is sometimes developed and approved in the wake of some horrific incident and is too often an emotional rather than reasoned response to events. As a result it is not only marginally effective but may impose unwarranted constraints on responsible owners and breeders while doing little to curb the activities of the irresponsible owners and breeders. The Foundation will effect co-operation with governments at all levels in Canada, perhaps directly but preferably through other like-minded organizations such as kennel clubs or humane societies, in the development of legislation that will effectively control the activities of irresponsible dog owners and breeders without unduly restricting responsible owners and breeders. This support will manifest itself in the form of educating legislators.