
*We Are Not A Frontline Rescue*
Save this poster to print and put up at the band office, health clinic, school, & gas bar!!
RESOURCES FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Save Rez Dogs - help-your-community
We have an online presentation open to the public!! Click button for link!
Where are you on the spectrum of allies for rez dogs?
This is subject to change - but we made this inspired by all the discourse we see from all the comments, posts, discussions, and experiences we’ve had.
WE NEED EVERYONE to help rez dogs because they are a huge part of our lives, have major roles in our communities, and everyone wins when rez dogs are living healthy and happy lives.
The goal is to move to the left of the spectrum.
WHO WE ARE:
Indigenous-led. Nehiyaw Sovereign. 100% Grassroots.
Save Rez Dogs is a sovereign, volunteer-powered movement rooted in nehiyaw (Cree) values and community care. We advocate for the protection, wellness, and rightful place of rez dogs through cultural education, advocacy, and community-based solutions.
We are not a frontline rescue—we’re a movement.
We don’t pick up dogs, but we link, support, and uplift those who do.
We work to shift systems and support First Nations in building their own dog management plans—because rez dogs are relatives, not problems.
💥 Our Impact
Raised $90,000+ since 2019 to support rez dogs, communities, and frontline volunteers
Over 500+ dogs/families helped through emergency aid, spay/neuter, and supplies
2,000+ orders shipped across Turtle Island through our merch line
Created the viral movement #SaveRezDogs, rooted in Indigenous land-based education
👣 Our Roots
Save Rez Dogs was founded by Leah Arcand, nehiyaw iskwew from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, in 2016 while teaching a land-based program, Miyo Pimâtisiwin, in Thunderchild First Nation. What started as a hashtag became a call to action—a decolonial movement reclaiming how we care for our animal kin.
🛑 We are about prevention before intervention.
We don’t “rescue”—we resist colonial responses to Indigenous dog populations.
We educate, organize, and support sovereign solutions.
🎤 Book Us
We offer presentations, workshops, and consultations on:
Rez dog advocacy in cultural, social, and historical context
Community dog management planning
Decolonizing animal welfare & settler accountability
👉 [Click here to learn more & book]
🧡 Support the Work
Shop our merch: Every order spreads the message + funds the movement
Donate directly: We redistribute funds to trusted frontline helpers
Follow us on Instagram: [@SaveRezDogs]
Share our message. Join the movement.
Publication in Wunderdog Magazine November 2023: Rez Dogs
Wunderdog is an independent online and print magazine for rescue dogs and their people. Based in London, UK and with international reach and stockists, Wunderdog is printed on luxurious FSC-certified paper and charmingly laid out, Wunderdog is a magazine to read and to keep forever. It is often called a book because of its volume and in-depth content.
Chapan and her baby
Kokum and her band office rescue
Christa Couture
Tantoo Cardinal
APTN’s Melissa Ridgen
Bif Naked ‘21
Media Features
In the Spirit of Survival: How Indigenous Protectors are Saving Rez Dogs - November 2023
https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/in-the-spirit-of-survival-how-indigenous-protectors-are-saving-rez-dogs/
CBC North Radio “Trailblazers” - April 2023
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-129-the-trailbreaker/clip/15978773-interview-founders-save-rez-dogs-craig-edes-leah
INDIGENOUS CIRCLE CTV - MAY 2021
https://regina.ctvnews.ca/indigenouscircle-saverezdogs
MBC RADIO - MAY 2021
https://www.mbcradio.com/teacher-from-muskeg-lake-advocating-for-dogs-through-initiative
THE COOKIE JAR - PODCAST - MAY 2021
https://www.smithersradio.com/program-playlist/cookie-jar-saverezdogs
TORONTO STAR - APRIL 2021
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/04/30/a-cree-womans-call-to-action-on-animal-welfare
RESCUE DOG MOMS - PODCAST - SPOTIFY MARCH 2021
https://open.spotify.com/episode/episode109SaveRezDogs
APTN NEWS - IN FOCUS OCTOBER 2020
https://www.youtube.com/APTNinfocusRezDogs
U OF S GREEN & WHITE ALUMNI SEPTEMBER 2020
https://greenandwhite.usask.ca/stories/october-2020/lending-a-hand-to-her-canine-companions
EAGLE FEATHER NEWS JULY 2020
https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/anyone-can-be-an-ambassador-for-rez-dogs