Our Objectives

• Establish a sustainable and affordable system of community-based animal care services on the Reservation.

•Train and employ Tribal members to provide community-based animal care services.

•Establish collaborative links between the community-based animal care services and relevant organizations on and off the Reservation (e.g. off-Reservation veterinary clinics, veterinary educational institutions, animal care organizations, the Porcupine Clinic, the Lakota Fund).

•Facilitate the work of those spay/neuter organizations that currently offer spay/neuter clinics on the Reservation by helping to prepare for visits before the arrival of these groups and monitoring and follow-up of animals following the departure of these groups. The short and intense visits by these groups are critically important. Because they are on the Reservation for only a few days/year, their ability to lay the groundwork for their visit, and to monitor and follow up after operations is not optimal. The LACP can provide real help in this respect.

•Remove existing barriers that currently prevent more spay/neuter groups from operating on the Reservation.

•Train and equip Community Animal Care Givers to initiate a humane animal education program in collaboration with elementary schools on the Reservation. As part of the effort, offer Camp Shunka, a free day camp for children and their pets. Children learn proper care of animals (dogs, cats & horses) and fun activities to do with their pets. Pets just have fun.

A Strategic Approach

The project is designed as a strategic intervention that begins to address the problem as well as its root causes. The approach is participatory and innovative, involving establishing a system of community-based animal care services, use of the traditional barter system, establishment of a community revolving fund, and development of innovative partnerships. Activities are designed to maximize involvement of local people, thereby enhancing awareness of the issues, and increasing buy-in into the project’s objectives. Strategic partnerships will also be established with off-Reservation organizations.