Citizen Canine began in 2002 as a grassroots organization to protect the interests of Victoria dog owners. In 2003, when hundreds of people rallied to challenge the CRD's proposals for Thetis Lake, Citizen Canine expanded its mandate to include advocacy, education and community building in the entire Capital Region. We've since evolved into a network of more than 1300 people from all over greater Victoria.
In June, 2004, Citizen Canine incorporated as a BC non-profit society with the goals of
- advocating for inclusive public policy regarding public access, acceptance, and welfare of dogs and dog owners in the greater Victoria region.
- developing and supporting programs to encourage responsible dog ownership and to educate the public about dogs and their behaviour.
- developing a strong community of responsible dog owners through an information-sharing network.
Citizen Canine is managed by a Board of Directors, or Executive Committee, of five members who are elected at the Annual General Meeting.
In order to establish a high degree of organizational credibility and a reliable source of dog-related information, the Executive Committee has put together an Advisory Committee of local experts and professionals in the areas of dog behaviour, health, and training.
To help increase the organization's effectiveness and work capacity, the Executive Committee has created a number of Working Groups for areas of concern. These include:
- Newsletter
- Public Education
- Canine Good Neighbour Program
- Event organization
- Legal Issues
- Rental Access
- Emergency planning for pets
- Transit lobby group
- Membership
- City of Victoria
- CRD Parks
- Municipal Liaisons
- Publicity and media relations
- Fund raising
To become involved in any of these areas, please contact us at info@citizencanine.org.
Some of Our Accomplishments
Since Citizen Canine was reconstituted with an expanded mandate, we have:
- spearheaded citywide off-leash access initiative under development in the City of Victoria
- persuaded the CRD to allow a dog owners' representative on the CRD's Park Management Plan Advisory Committee
- stopped the planned restriction of off leash hours at Dallas Road dog area
- forged an alliance with the Victoria SPCA and other dog-related groups in the region
- increased our membership to over 1400 people
- implemented a state-of-the-art website and online community
- initiated the Canine Good Neighbour Program in Victoria and held numerous "Fun Tests"
- had an information booth at the Great Canadian Pet Expo
- held two annual Everybody and Their Dog Walk community events
- created an Advisory Committee of respected professionals
- formed a number of Working Groups of volunteers to pursue key issues
- been interviewed many times in all media
- been asked to speak to local Mayors and Councils
- forced a re-think of the CRD's dog management plan for 3 regional parks
- had a member appointed to the Victoria City Dogs in Parks Committee
- generated over $7,000 in revenue to support our work
- co-sponsored a Suzanne Clothier lecture and seminar on dog behaviour
- sponsored a lecture by noted author and researcher, Stanley Coren
- held a Halloween Trick-or-Treat for People and Their Dogs event
- surveyed civic election candidates on dog issues and rated their "dog-friendliness"
- begun publication of a quarterly e-newsletter
- met with other concerned individuals and organizations to begin to work toward the creation of a new, world-class regional pound
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