Northern Animal Health Initiative | Veterinarians Without Borders
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dog at northern clinic

Improve health. Save lives.

Many communities in Canada’s far north have little or no access to veterinary services. Animals in these northern regions tend to live shorter lives, dying from diseases and causes that are either treatable or preventable. This can put communities at risk as unvaccinated dogs can transfer diseases – including rabies – to people.

You have the power to make a profound difference in the lives of animals in northern Canada. With the generous support of people like you, Veterinarians Without Borders North America (VWB/VSF), in partnership with local communities across Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, can provide essential veterinary care through the Northern Animal Health Initiative.

Whether it’s vaccinating dogs to prevent disease, performing spay/neuter procedures, training members of the community to give vaccinations or charting a flight to a remote community for a volunteer veterinarian, you’ll have a real, life-saving impact that addresses the needs of a community, creates sustainable veterinary care and promotes safe, positive human-animal interactions.

Give now to have a real, life-saving impact for animals and communities in the northern regions of Canada by providing them with the vital veterinary care they need to stay healthy.

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Veterinarians without Borders values our donor relationships. We adhere to the standards published by Imagine Canada's Ethical Code Program, which lays out a set of principles for charitable organizations, and assures that they manage and report their financial affairs responsibly.

Canadian Charitable Registration Number: 84146 9547 RR0001

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Stories From Around The World

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Register now to join us for "VWB Live 2026: Stories, Impact and What’s Next"

Posted Aug 20th, 2026

Join the VWB community for a virtual look at the stories, people, partnerships and progress that shaped our work this year — and hear what’s ahead for Veterinarians Without Borders as we continue working for healthier animals, people and communities around the world.

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Ask an Expert:

Ask an Expert: "What Does Sustainable, Community-Led Animal Health Care Look Like in Northern Canada?"

Posted Aug 17th, 2026

In this edition of Ask an Expert, we spoke with Hannah (Tsai-Ping) Liao, whose MSc research at the University of Guelph examined what decades of Community Animal Health Worker (CAHW) programs can teach us about building sustainable, community-led animal health systems in northern Canada.

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Beyond Emergency Relief: Restoring Livelihoods and Preserving Compassion

Beyond Emergency Relief: Restoring Livelihoods and Preserving Compassion

Posted Aug 4th, 2026

In recognition of World Humanitarian Day, this blog explores what humanitarian work looks like beyond the immediate emergency. Through the perspectives of two of VWB's local partners in Ukraine, it examines how restoring livelihoods, preserving compassion, and strengthening community resilience are all essential to long-term recovery. 

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  • The most rewarding part of my placements was helping others and seeing the many lives that are impacted along the way.
    - Nikki Sheedy

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