Community Spay/Neuter and Return Program

The Cause

Our program seeks to reduce the number of unwanted companion animals and prevent the birth of more in the vulnerable communities in Edmonton and surrounding areas that we serve. Ultimately we want to work our way out of the rescue business. If there is a constant cycle of puppies and kittens etc. being born, we will always be needed to take in animals. Stopping that cycle means that, other than some maintenance, we can move out of a community and into another. Vulnerable communities are defined as such because of location or poverty or lack of education, and inability to access veterinary care for companion animals, in particular for spaying and neutering.


The money requested will be used toward the spay and neutering of cats and dogs in order to help over-population in our target communities. In carrying out this work we are improving not just the health and welfare of companion animals but also that of the people in the communities. Less animals means safer living and walking conditions, less potential for injury (like dog and cat bites) and less potential for disease transmission like rabies, less garbage being spread (ripped open by roaming animals), cleaner water in rural areas (far fewer animals defecating and dying in or near water sources). In the city, we help reduce hoarding and crowding of companion animals in apartments etc. by reducing the number of, and improving the health of the animals being cared for. We enable marginalized people to access housing that they otherwise would not be able to. All that has a direct impact on improving the emotional health of people in a community, as well those people also feeling supported and important, because they are. We help them feel empowered. They have a place to turn to for help. It’s with these issues in mind that the priorities of the target communities and our organization combine.

Who Will it Benefit?

We expect to see a reduction of the frequency of dog bites in targeted partner communities as reported by the community public health nurses, reduce complaints of free roaming animals by 20% in the six month duration of the project. We expect the following to benefit directly from the project:

Residents of Paul Band
Residents of Alexander First Nation
Residents of Edmonton inner city
Low income families in the above areas

We anticipate that the project will help Zoe’s by providing the means to accelerating the delivery of services and crucially, by providing us with focused information that will allow us to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our operations. This increased effectiveness and efficiency will decrease the needless suffering of animals and in turn will improve the environment of residents in our target communities.