We hear and appreciate the concern many animal supporters have shared about the situation at Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, B.C. Like you, we care deeply about the lives of animals, and their well-being is at the heart of every piece of the Vancouver Humane Society’s work.
This has been a painful and complex situation. Our thoughts are with the ostriches, the community, and everyone affected. We know many members of the public have been moved by the farm’s publicly stated shift away from oil and meat production toward a research-based model. At the same time, we recognize that avian influenza presents real challenges for farmed animals, wildlife, and public health.
We encourage the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the farmers at Universal Ostrich to work together in good faith to explore humane, science-based alternatives to culling. If the ostriches are given the opportunity to live out their lives free from harm and exploitation, we support efforts to find a solution that protects their health and well-being.
The VHS remains committed to compassionate solutions that see animals as individuals with lives worth protecting.