I want to provide you with an update of the Canadian Kennel Club Foundation, a charitable organization that supports canine health research and promotion of the canine-human relationship.

A number of new board appointments were made a few months ago, and since then, considerable work has been underway. This includes a strategy to more effectively market the foundation and to kick-start the process of soliciting funding applications. One of our new board members, Sue Dalos, has secured an advertising agency to work with the foundation, pro bono, to help in this regard.

The foundation is seeking volunteers to work on the following working group subcommittees:

Website Redesign – led by Amanda Kelley

Health Research Funding (primarily academic/vet med) – led by Dr. Rod Jouppi, DVM

Fundraising – led by Allison Foley

Project/Community Funding – led by Bruce Saunders, LLB

It is very exciting to see the energy in this new group of volunteers. If you would like to volunteer to work on any of these committees, please send an email to Tara Merriman, info@ckcf.ca and provide your contact information, specifying which committee(s) for which you have time, knowledge and desire to help. Work is done primarily by email. The time commitment will be less of an "ongoing" nature (than being a board member) but will require some concerted effort over a fairly short time frame. We have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference for our canine friends with your help.

If you support the goals of the foundation, but don’t have the time to spare to volunteer, you can always make a donation to advance its work. Here is how: http://www.ckcf.ca/?page_id=19&lang=en. You will be issued with a receipt that can be claimed on your income tax, as the foundation is a registered charity. Thank you!

Marg Moran McQuinn, CKCF Interim President