Canine Fund
Statement of Purposes of the Canine Fund
Tax receipts are issued for all eligible donations.
The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) Canine Fund is used solely for two purposes both of which relate to Winnipeg Police Service property or operations.
- The Canine Fund is used for the purpose of caring for retired WPS canines which remain the property of the Winnipeg Police Service but are in retirement and are the subject of a caregiver contract with the WPS. Proceeds from the Fund for this purpose are used to pay for canine food costs, veterinary and dental bills, equipment to assist with pain or mobility such as harnesses or small ramps, funeral and burial costs, or other, similar costs related to the purpose of caring for retired WPS canines.
- The Canine Fund is used for the purpose of enhancing protection and performance for actively serving WPS canines. Proceeds from the Fund for this purpose are used to pay for protective body armour, as well as specialized training and equipment such as cameras, or other, similar costs related to the purpose of enhancing protection and performance for actively serving canines.
Eligibility Criteria for the Canine Fund
To be eligible for consideration the request for disbursement must be made by an active or retired WPS member and must relate to one of the Canine Fund purposes.
When considering eligible requests these are the relevant factors:
- will the health of the retired canine be supported;
- will the quality of life of the retired canine be supported;
- the age of the retired canine;
- will the safety of an actively serving canine be supported;
- will operational performance of an actively serving canine be supported;
- the amount of the disbursement;
- the balance of the Canine Fund.
Process for Requesting Disbursements from the Canine Fund
The financial arrangements provisions of the caregiver contract apply.
Any requests for disbursements which are not included in the caregiver contract require that the member obtain prior written authorization of the expenditure from the Commander of Division 50.
WPS members submit a written request for authorization of the expenditure to the Canine Unit Sergeant with a cost estimate. The Canine Unit Sergeant considers the request and the above noted factors and makes a recommendation. The Canine Unit Sergeant forwards the request and recommendation to the Commander for Division 50.
The Commander for Division 50 considers the request for disbursement, the above noted factors, and the Canine Unit Sergeant's recommendation. The decision of the Commander is final and there is no appeal process. The Commander sends an email to the Canine Unit Sergeant advising of the decision. The Canine Unit Sergeant then sends an email to the member advising of the decision.
Where the disbursement is authorized, the member submits original receipts to the Canine Unit Sergeant who submits the email authorization and the receipts to WPS finance for reimbursement to the member.
To make a donation large or small and receive a tax receipt, download the Donation Form.
The bond between police dog and handler is difficult to describe. It's not unlikely for a handler to spend more time with his K9 partner then his friends and family. The following two stories are written by K9 Handlers about the bond between police dog and a handler.