Canadian Animal Task Force Society

HISTORY The Canadian Animal Task Force (CATF) was incorporated as a Society under the Alberta provincial government “Societies Act” in November 2007. We received our charitable status in February 2009. In April 2009, Dr. Kathy Hilland, DVM, R.J. Bailot, our current Executive Director, and Nancy Larsen, our current President, made a presentation to the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association Council requesting that a licence for on site spay and neuter clinics be created for communities experiencing pet overpopulation issues. The request was approved and a licence for a “Temporary Veterinary Facility” was created. Since our inception and, as of December 2021, over 19,700 dogs and cats have been sterilised, vaccinated, treated for parasites and tattooed. The vast majority received surgery at our on-site clinics, held in community centres, gyms or other sites within First Nation communities and with the community’s support. An additional 8,800 dogs and cats have been placed with our partner rescue groups to be rehomed. We have held 70 on site clinics and visited 24 First Nations. Over the past 10 years we have grown and so have our programs! ON SITE SPAY AND NEUTER CLINICS: We have the ability to set up a MASH type surgical unit in the community to spay or neuter, tattoo, vaccinate and treat for parasites up to 546 animals in one weekend. These clinics are made possible with the support of 100-200 volunteers each day. COMMUNITY BASED DOG CARE AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: Launched in 2016 after a series of serious dog bite/attack incidents, this program encourages responsible pet ownership and, in turn this reduces dog bites and also improves the welfare of dogs living in First Nation communities. We provide guidance and resources to First Nations, at their request, regarding bylaws, humane enforcement, registration and licensing of dogs, Animal Control Officer training, dog bite prevention and structured feeding programs for eligible clients. CAT CARE AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: This is a newer program we started in 2019, with the goal of assisting municipalities and rural property owners with free roaming cat overpopulation. In 2021, we spayed or neutered 1,805 cats and placed an additional 1,296 cats and kittens with our partner rescue groups to be rehomed. DISASTER RELIEF: A member of the Alberta Animal Disaster Response Team and the Companion Animal Disaster Response Steering Committee led by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association and Alberta Provincial Emergency Services. We are also a member of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency. The Task Force assisted with disaster relief during the 2013 Alberta floods, 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires and 2019 northern Alberta wildfires. EMERGENCY VACCINE CLINICS: These clinics are in response to potentially fatal Canine Distemper outbreaks in First Nation communities. Teams go door to door and vaccinate 100-200 dogs over a weekend. The clinics are licensed by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association. PET RETENTION PROGRAM This program assists pet owners with veterinary costs in order for the owners to avoid having to surrender their beloved pets to humane societies or rescue groups or to avoid economic euthanasia.