Keeping wild animals for public display, entertainment or as pets, as deprives them of the ability to freely engage in instinctual behaviours in their natural environment.
Even when bred in captivity, exotic animals retain the behavioural and biological needs that they would have in the wild.
They cannot be considered domesticated and they can suffer if they are confined in unnatural environments.
How you can help
Zoos
VHS is fighting to improve the conditions of animals living in zoos. Working with Zoocheck Canada, we have exposed poor conditions and called the Greater Vancouver Zoo to account for the welfare of animals in their care.
Aquariums
VHS has worked tirelessly to end the captivity of cetaceans (whales and dolphins). In 2019, Canada banned their captivity but they and other marine mammals continue to be held in aquariums around the world.
Exotic Pets
VHS opposes the sale and keeping of exotic pets. We have successfully campaigned for municipal bylaws that ban or restrict exotic pet ownership and sale, and have drawn public attention to the cruel wildlife trade.
Latest news
Baffin the polar bear dies at the Calgary Zoo
https://calgary.citynews.ca/2024/07/20/animal-advocacy-group-calgary-zoo-polar-bears Animal advocates continue to call for the Calgary Zoo to stop keeping polar bears after yet another bear has tragically died. Baffin the polar bear died by drowning Friday, July 19th after he sustained a bite to the throat at the Calgary Zoo. Read the article Take action for animals in captivity A long…
Welfare group documents exotic animal escapes, attacks
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/animals-on-the-lam-welfare-group-documents-exotic-animal-escapes-attacks-1.6918993 “In a bid to draw attention to the ongoing and dangerous problem of keeping exotic wildlife in captivity, either in zoos or as house pets, World Animal Protection Canada is building a new database and interactive online map to document all the events it can find.” Michèle Hamers, wildlife campaign manager for World Animal…
