A letter from the Vancouver Humane Society is on the desk of the B.C. Minister of Agriculture, calling for urgent changes for farmed animals in response to shocking footage reportedly taken at a B.C. slaughterhouse. Can you send a message urging the Minister to prioritize stronger protections for farmed animals?
In January, Chilliwack-based pig slaughterhouse Johnston’s Meats was ordered to take “corrective actions” after shocking footage released by Animal Justice showed horrific suffering.
The disturbing footage shows frightened and panicked pigs being inhumanely handled, including:
Animals being improperly stunned before having their throats cut, being hung upside down to bleed out while conscious, and then placed into a scalding tank of boiling water.
Multiple animals appear to show signs of consciousness after being electrocuted, which is required to render them fully unconscious for the rest of the slaughter process.
In some clips, workers are seen slitting still-conscious pigs’ throats and electrocuting them multiple times.
Despite this, the Ministry of Agriculture said no illegal behaviour was found, and that the footage depicted “standard practices in a busy hog processing facility.”
Calling for action from the B.C. government
The investigation and the Ministry’s response raised serious concerns, leading the VHS to send a letter to Premier David Eby and Agriculture Minister Lana Popham.
The letter:
Detailed the shocking suffering of pigs seen in the footage released by Animal Justice and the history of near-annual investigations at B.C. farms and slaughterhouses over the past decade.
Highlighted “that slaughterhouse inspectors, who are required to be on-site daily, failed to identify and report the issues captured in the footage … This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current oversight and enforcement activities.”
Urged the Premier and Agriculture Minister to prioritize next steps following the province’s recent review of its farmed animal welfare framework, including government-mandated and proactively enforced regulations based on the best available animal welfare science; proactive oversight including “consistent video surveillance”; and appropriate penalties to prevent cruelty and ensure accountability.
The Office of the Premier has responded to share that an Agriculture Ministry official will be following up directly on this matter.
Could you please take the action below and ensure that the Ministry hears from as many animal allies as possible while the letter is on their desk?
Note: A valid Canadian postal code is required to send messages to Canadian decision-makers. If you do not have a postal code, you can reach Premier David Eby by email at Premier@gov.bc.ca and Agriculture Minister Lana Popham at AF.Minister@gov.bc.ca.
Late last year, the death of Jenga, a male giraffe at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, reignited calls to better protect animals in captivity. Jenga was only eight years old when he was found deceased in his barn on October 23, while giraffes typically live up to 25 years in the wild. He lived with only two other giraffes in a small and barren enclosure, offering little enrichment or opportunities to engage in natural behaviours essential for giraffes’ well-being.
The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has called on the zoo for many years to address persistent animal welfare concerns and transition away from keeping animals in permanent captivity. In recent years, a VHS campaign has called on provincial decision-makers to take action and update outdated regulations on the keeping, breeding, and transportation of wild and exotic animals.
Emily Pickett from the Vancouver Humane Society discusses the tragic life and death of Jenga the giraffe, who died at the Greater Vancouver Zoo on October 23rd, as well as ongoing welfare concerns at the zoo. Originally aired on The Early Edition from CBC News; shared on The Informed Animal Ally podcast.
Jenga’s death gained significant media attention, with coverage from major news outlets and discussions on CBC’s The Early Edition. VHS representatives expressed concerns to news outlets about Jenga’s quality of life prior to his passing, highlighting the challenges of keeping wild, exotic animals in captivity and the stressors they may endure. The zoo has yet to publicly provide a full explanation of the cause of death, prompting calls for an independent investigation.
Jenga’s death is not an isolated incident. His death adds to a concerning history of animal fatalities at the facility. Between 2003 and 2015, reports indicate that four giraffes, four zebras, two hippos, and two Siberian tigers died at the zoo.
Recent reports have also revealed a troubling pattern of animal fatalities in zoos across Canada. In Calgary, the deaths of several animals at the Calgary Zoo have raised similar concerns. Over the past year, multiple animals have died under the zoo’s care, including a western lowland gorilla named Eyare who was injured moving between back-of-house spaces. A polar bear named Baffin drowned after sustaining a bite to the throat. Conservationists have called for a systemic review of the facility’s practices, emphasizing the need for increased oversight and transparency.
The sudden death of a two-year-old gorilla at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has prompted some conservation experts to push for change.
This past year, multiple animals have died globally as well, including Roxie the red panda who died due to noise stress from fireworks in Edinburgh, and twelve monkeys who died from a bacterial outbreak in a zoo in Hong Kong.
These incidents fuel ongoing debates about the ethics of keeping wild animals in captive environments that may not adequately meet their needs. The recent deaths of Jenga and other captive animals are a sad reminder that although zoo visitors may leave at the end of the day, animals cannot.
For more information on how you can support efforts to protect captive animals, visit this blog post.
The VHS has continued to encourage restaurants and other local small businesses to make plant-based eating more accessible.
Right now, 65% of Lower Mainland adults are reducing their meat and dairy intake, giving businesses a great opportunity to meet the growing demand for animal-free meals.
65%
of Lower Mainland adults are reducing their meat and dairy intake
Free plant-based toolkit for restaurants
To support restaurants in making these changes, the VHS implemented a new Restaurant Toolkit initiative, which provides a free step-by-step guide with dos and don’ts, tips for recipe and menu development, marketing ideas, and more.
The VHS also launched the new Dairy-Free for No Fee program to support cafés in removing the extra charge for plant-based milk. This initiative is backed by a research study of 813 participants in B.C., which found that:
62% of B.C. customers see surcharge-free options as an inclusive choice, feeling it adds to a welcoming environment. This rises to 73% among those aged 18-34, and 68% among Metro Vancouverites.
More than 1 in 3 British Columbians aged 18-34 would make surcharge-free cafés their go-to spot, underscoring the strong customer loyalty potential.
About 1 in 4 (24%) British Columbians say they’d choose plant-based milk more often if there was no surcharge. This rises to 34% among those aged 18-34.
32% of British Columbians aged 18-34—a key café demographic—prefer plant-based milk regularly.
Following Port Moody City Council’s vote to ban mobile live animal programs last month, Councillor Kyla Knowles is asking for the province to introduce stronger regulations to protect animals.
Mobile petting zoos pose many animal welfare concerns:
Transportation to different locations can be an inherently stressful process for many species.
The animals used in these zoos are typically transported and kept in undersized cages or units that may also lack other elements they need to engage in important natural behaviours, like appropriate substrate and enrichment items.
Animals can develop chronic stress and health issues as a result of disrupted eating, sleeping, and drinking patterns, and from being exposed to unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells and human handling and interactions.
Port Moody City Council voted to ban mobile live animal programs, such as mobile petting zoos, on January 21st following a presentation by the BC SPCA and statements from the Vancouver Humane Society and several Port Moody residents.
Council Kyla Knowles, who championed last month’s motion, has introduced a new motion to ask for stronger protections across the province.
Florida Fish and Wildlife flickr image / Lisa Thompson photo Port Moody council is now urging the province to step in with stricter regulations on Fresh off of approving a municipal ban of mobile petting zoos, Port Moody council is now urging the province to step in with stricter regulations on related practices.
“On Feb. 25, Coun. Kyla Knowles, who spearheaded the city’s move towards banning mobile petting zoos, introduced an advocacy motion to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) calling on the province to strengthen the rules around mobile live-animal programs. “
“‘Whenever animals are on display or made to perform for recreation, sport or entertainment, they face risks to their physical and psychological well-being,’ Knowles’ motion stated. ‘Meeting an animal’s welfare needs during (the programs) is very difficult, if not impossible, particularly if operators are not trained to recognize and alleviate animal distress or suffering.'”
Port Moody council tasked staff in January to create a corporate policy banning mobile live animal programs from operating anywhere in the city.
“Coun. Kyla Knowles said animals on display or made to perform face risks to their physical and psychological well-being.”
“She’s calling upon her fellow councillors to support a resolution to the Union of BC Municipalities calling for provincial regulations as well as updates to current regulations that will give animal welfare equal priority to public safety, along with a prohibition on the import, keeping, breeding and transport of exotic species.”
What happened in the world of animal protection last year?
Welcome to a new season of The Informed Animal Ally! Previous seasons have delved into the state of animal protection laws in Canada and B.C.; what a good life looks like for animals; specific areas that the Vancouver Humane Society works in; and foundational knowledge for animal advocates. This season will look at a macro view of the state of animal protection nationally and globally:
What are trends across the animal protection sector?
What is working?
Where are we seeing challenges?
Where does Canada stand on the international stage when it comes to animal well-being?
In this episode, the VHS’s Chantelle Archambault and Amy Morris discuss trends in the animal advocacy movement, as well as successes, opportunities, and challenges in Canada and around the world in 2024.
Note: This written discussion has been edited for length.
Chantelle: When it comes to public responses and policy change, we’re increasingly seeing a polarization of opinions. On one hand, people are more aware of animal sentience and care deeply about improving animal well-being, leading to progress and policies that protect animals.
But at the same time, this progress and shifting public opinion is leading to really strong pushback from people who benefit from the status quo. There are some areas where we’re seeing a step backwards. You can see that in things like strong marketing by the dairy industry against plant-based milk.
It seems the more progress we see, the more pushback there is. People feel very strongly about their convictions on both sides of any issue.
Everything from public discourse in the comment section of social media posts to the tailored search results people see when they look up an issue on Google tends to push people further toward confirming their own biases and existing beliefs.
Amy: It’s very frustrating and we see it across the board in all areas of ways people think about the world. At the same time, we can celebrate some wins.
Animal protection progress in Canada in 2024
B.C. family law recognizes pets as more than property in divorce and separation
Amy: We have wins in Canada worth talking about. The first is B.C. family law recognizing that companion animals are more than property when they’re doing divorce proceedings.
What’s really great about this is decisions are being made that take into account the nuances of what a family structure is and the relationships that happen between an animal and their caregivers.
Chantelle: It’s great that the courts are recognizing that animals are beings who have thoughts and preferences and bonds and not equivalent to divvying up something like family jewelry.
Canada bans import and export of elephant ivory, rhino horn, and hunting trophies
Amy: Absolutely. Another really great one is that it is now illegal to import or export elephant ivory, rhino horn, and hunting trophies.
This change demonstrates the impact of a large scale sustained campaign, and it is what keeps us campaigning on different animal topics knowing these changes are possible.
Companion animals included in coercive control legislation
Content warning: This section discusses domestic abuse and animal harm.
Amy: The next one is having companion animals included in coercive control legislation in Canada. Coercive control often involves abusers threatening, manipulating, or harming companion animals to control their human victims.
The new bill would criminalize these behaviours, including:
Attempted and threatened violence towards an intimate partner’s animal
Controlling or attempting to control the manner in which an intimate partner cares for their companion animal
This is important because there are times where an animal is in distress and a person’s ability to get help for that animal is limited by transport or by financial means and when it is an abusive situation, it’s not that person’s fault that they don’t have the financial means or the transport.
It’s something that’s being impacted by another individual and they’re the ones that really need to be held responsible.
Chantelle: We’ve spoken before about the violence link, about how violence toward animals is linked very closely with violence towards humans. And people who are violent toward animals tend to also be violent towards humans.
It’s really important that Canadian legislation is recognizing this.
PUPS Act in Ontario prohibits puppy mills and introduces stronger protections for dogs
Amy: Ontario introduced the Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act to prohibit puppy mills and introduce stronger protections for dogs. A number of provinces have put something like this into place and Ontario is the most recent.
It shows that the provinces do have authority to make rules and laws that better protect animals, and that they have the responsibility to as well.
Opportunities for better animal protection in Canada
Farmed animal Codes of Practice came under review
Amy: We also have some opportunities in Canada. First, we have the Codes of Practices for farmed animals.
The Codes of Practices provide written recommendations and requirements for the care and handling of farmed animals in Canada. They’re adopted as generally accepted practices of animal management under most legislation, which means they can be used as a defense for farmers, rather than farmers having a proactive duty to comply with these codes of practice.
Even though that’s the case, they’re also used by veterinarians and by practitioners to really show what’s acceptable and what’s not. It’s a standardized document.
They have discussions about pain control, what kind of housing and bedding is appropriate, what’s important to know when moving and restraining animals, providing care, preparing animals for transport, and their euthanasia.
Written into these codes is a number of standards that tell you what’s truly not acceptable in the treatment of farmed animals.
Three codes of practice for care and handling recently came under revision and had their initial public feedback periods for 2024. Those are for horses on farms, cattle used for meat, and chickens and turkeys used for meat.
The organization that manages these processes is a non profit, but they’re funded fully by the government, and these serve as national standards.
Chantelle: The National Farm Animal Care Council, which manages these codes of practice, takes into consideration feedback from a variety of people, including animal advocates and the animal agriculture industry.
The VHS shared ways that people can provide feedback to advocate for better welfare in the codes last year. We’ve seen positive results from this in the past. It’s so important that people are advocating for the welfare of animals to be strongly considered when these codes are under review.
Official parliamentary petition asks that Canada legally recognize animal sentience
Amy: Absolutely. The final opportunity is a petition to recognize animal sentience on a national level.
Right now, the Canadian constitution doesn’t say anything about animals. It’s this general understanding that animals are under our care because we’ve domesticated them, without protection that really acknowledges their individual value and worth.
And so having animal sentience recognized at a national level would be a massive, massive impact.
It might take a while, but it’s on the discussion docket and a step forward.
Chantelle: I would be very excited to see this passed into legislation. There are lots of countries that already recognize animal sentience and it is a crucial part of having better policies passed for protecting animals.
Challenges around animal protection in Canada in 2024
Photo: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition
Ban on horse exports for slaughter delayed, in limbo
Amy: Passing any federal legislation takes time and requires cooperation from multiple levels of government across parties. Bills need to be passed through three readings at both the House of Commons and the Senate, and then receive Royal Assent to become law.
One of the challenges that we’ve seen is with Bill C-355, which aimed to ban the export of live horses for slaughter.
This bill has been in discussion for quite a long time, and there was even a letter to the Minister of Agriculture from the Prime Minister to direct them to take action on this item. It was part of a campaign promise.
The bill to ban the export of horses for slaughter passed the House of Commons, but then it stalled for months at the Senate. It’s now in this sort of legislative limbo while Parliament is paused.
There were so many reasons to move forward with passing this bill. One is that it was a campaign promise and there was a mandate letter more than three years ago to put this into place.
Within the past year, new exposes showed horses suffer more than previously reported. Shipments are regularly exceeding the legal limit of 28 hours without food, water, and rest. More horses are dying in transit than reported by the government.
The majority of Canadians support banning horse exports for slaughter.
What it came down to was certain senators were dragging their feet and bringing up unrelated issues, rather than working together to prioritize the lives of horses and the values held by many Canadians.
If an election is called, which appears imminent, the bill will die and be forced to start the process again.
Right now, the best thing you can do is contact the Minister of Agriculture to stop the export of horses for slaughter and keep this moving through the next season of legislation.
Similarly, Ontario had a ban on penned dog hunting, and that was also lifted the year prior.
Some of these laws have been in place for a long time for good reason, and those changes have to do with special interest groups having their voices heard, even when it isn’t necessarily in the public interest.
It’s unfortunate that special interest groups are being heard in a way that’s against animal welfare. We’re not seeing special interest groups that are pro animal welfare being heard in the same way.
Animal protection wins around the world in 2024
Olympics remove show jumping from modern pentathlon event
Chantelle: Now that we’ve talked about some challenges in Canada, I would like to talk about some more wins that we’ve seen further out around the world.
We had the Summer Olympics in 2024. Following the Olympics, the modern pentathlon removed show jumping.
Horses are still used elsewhere in the Olympics, but the modern pentathlon has been a major area for concern. That sport involves the use of aversive tools like whips, bits, and spurs to control horses movements.
In this event, horses are randomly paired with riders who are participating. There have been concerns about riders not having a chance to develop a bond with the horse that they’re riding and to understand them on an individual level, which can lead to a lack of focus on the horse’s well-being and can lead to the horse experiencing stress, fear, and pain.
Advocates have also noted that riders and handlers have been seen directing their frustrations at horses during the competitions.
You may have heard the story of a coach punching a horse named Saint Boy in 2021 with her fist and encouraging the rider to use greater force on him.
The move away from show jumping for this sport and instead of replacing it with an obstacle course is a great example of how we can enjoy these showcases of human athlete skills and have our entertainment, but we don’t need to use animals to do that.
Amy: It’s great to see this, and this is so hard to overcome. Certainly there’s lots of sports using animals still. Big kudos to the Olympics for removing this use of horses.
UK bans farmed animal export for slaughter and fattening
Chantelle: In the UK in 2023, animal sentience was legally recognized at a federal level.
Last year it was decided that farmed animals would no longer be exported for slaughter or fattening abroad. That eliminates a really significant welfare concern for farmed animals. It’s similar to what we’re trying to achieve with the ban of horses for slaughter.
Transporting animals on long journeys is a big concern.
Farmed animals who are being transported go through a lot of suffering. They often endure extreme weather conditions like extreme heat and cold. They can go a very long time without food, water, and rest. They are shipped in overcrowded conditions to maximize how many animals can be sent to be killed at one time.
All of those conditions together can lead to animals becoming injured, sick, or even dying in transport. Depending on how they’re being shipped, it can be a really long time until there’s someone who even can reach them to attend to them.
The Animal Welfare Livestock Exports Act in the UK was met with cross party support, which shows that animal wellbeing is not a partisan issue and that reducing the suffering of our fellow beings that we share the planet with is something we really should all care about.
Amy: This is pretty amazing. I’m surprised they’re willing to make these kinds of changes, certainly, I think there’s a number of things at play. Them being an island helps as well as having that sentience law passed.
Pet Abduction Act protect pets and guardians in the UK
Chantelle: Another thing that came out of sentience law is the UK introduced the Pet Abduction Act in 2024. That made the abduction of companion animals like cats and dogs a specific criminal offense. Convictions can result in a fine or up to five years in prison, or both.
The theft of animals was previously covered by the Theft Act of 1968; these laws were put in place a very long time ago and they were due for an update. The former law considered pets to be property, like if someone stole a car.
This is another one of the great strides in protections for animals and their guardians since animal sentience was recognized.
We have consistently seen better protections for animals and the people who care for them when animal sentience legislation is introduced. But still, when we were sharing the federal petition to recognize animal sentience in Canada, there was a lot of misunderstanding around this.
We had people commenting with concerns that there wouldn’t be any protections for pet guardians if pets were no longer considered property, which we know based on the many countries that have passed this legislation is not true. I think there’s some anxiety around animal advocacy that people want to take your pets away.
But progress like this means pets are more part of the family. Greater care goes into keeping them safe because the law recognizes that they have an inherent value and an emotional value, not just a monetary value.
Amy: The challenge is convincing lawmakers that’s the case and that there’s public value in that.
New laws on wildlife killing contests, animal testing, and pet sales in the United States
Chantelle: New York’s ban on wildlife killing contests came into effect last year. New York is the 10th state to outlaw events like this, where the goal is to kill wild animals for cash and prizes.
There are also new laws around animal testing testing in Oregon, where there can no longer be the sale of cosmetics tested on animals; in California, where non animal alternatives are required for testing on certain products; and in Maryland, where animal research facilities are now required to pay into a fund that goes toward developing non animal methods and hopefully lead to less animal testing in the future.
New York pet stores can no longer sell cats, dogs, or rabbits, while pet stores in Pennsylvania must post health and breeder information for puppies as part of the state’s puppy mill law. The goal of these changes is to make people more aware of where animals are coming from and to encourage people to adopt animals who are in need of homes rather than buying from places like puppy mills, where the animal’s health and well being aren’t adequately considered.
Amy: Certainly this area, while these are some specific wins, there’s been states that have had laws around this for a long time. Some even have mandatory spay/neuter rules and things like that. It is a state by state reality, just like in Canada. That can be really frustrating, but it also helps us to model policies when the U.S. has similar requirements that laws be passed on a sort of state by state, province by province basis.
Chantelle: It’s very impactful when we see that there’s a precedent for things like this, where this is working to help animals elsewhere. It is slow going when it’s state by state and province by province, but we are seeing progress slowly, but surely.
South Korea outlaws the use of dogs for meat
Chantelle: I have so many more wins, but a couple more to highlight. South Korea passed a law banning the use of dogs for meat, and that will be in effect as of 2027. A lot of countries have already banned the slaughter or sale of dogs for meat. Surprisingly, Canada is not one of them, although meat that’s sold in Canada has to be inspected, and there’s no licensed slaughterhouses that kill dogs in Canada.
Mexico’s constitution includes animal protection as a fundamental value
Chantelle: Mexico’s constitution now includes animal protection as a fundamental value. Nine other countries include animals in their constitution, but this new inclusion in Mexico appears to be the most specific.
For instance, humane education is a mandatory guideline in all educational institutions nationwide.
Amy: Wow, that’s huge. Imagine if we had that around the world.
New Zealand bans greyhound racing
Chantelle: In New Zealand, the government announced that it will ban greyhound racing as of 2026.
That ban comes as a result of very high rates of injuries for dogs used in racing. In 2021, there were more than 200 greyhounds who died and 900 suffered injuries due to racing, according to local media reports.
The law recognizes this level of suffering for entertainment is not acceptable.
Opportunities for animal protection around the world
Research reinforces benefits of plant-based food
Chantelle: There are also some more opportunities around the world. There’s a lot of new research coming out around plant-based foods and the availability of nutrients in plant-based foods.
That study didn’t receive a lot of media attention, presumably because the funders wanted it to prove meat is better than plant-based foods. But it didn’t, despite using less protein-dense sources like black beans and whole wheat.
Despite the study seeming to skew towards a bias for the result they wanted, it still found that if you’re getting enough protein throughout the day, plants are just as effective.
Amy: I love that. Eating lots of nuts, seeds, lentils and beans has given me so much protein. The nice thing is, there are diverse forms of protein to choose from if people struggle with some types that their bodies don’t accept.
I’m grateful there’s so many different types that we have access to, so if we need to cut one out, we can.
Chantelle: And you can get protein from plant-based foods in some ways that I wasn’t even considering. I just switched to a bread that has 10 grams of protein in two slices. You could be getting more protein than you’re even counting.
South African collaboration releases manifesto on animal protection framework
Chantelle: And in South Africa, the Animal Law Project (ALP), which is a collaboration of animal protection organizations, consulted with the sector and with experts to develop and release a manifesto that recommends an overhaul of the legal framework for animals.
In 2016, South African courts recognized animal sentience and decided animal welfare was included in the constitution, which was great.
But very few changes have been made to effectively protect animals since then. This is a great example of collaboration within and between sectors to develop recommendations for animal protection.
Amy: We need to develop useful and clear paths forward that can be applied around the globe.
Trends in animal advocacy: What’s next?
Intersectionality with other advocacy movements
Amy: This concept of One Health, One Welfare is sort of a modern name for connecting the environment, animals, and people. This has existed for so long within Indigenous cultures, where there’s this recognition that we’re all interrelated.
You can relate this to intersectionality, recognizing that we have environmental protections that interact with animal protections. Animal farming impacts the environment and habitat destruction harms wild animals.
There is also overlap with the labour sector, where vulnerable workers who are often marginalized are working in industries that exploit animals. because industries that exploit animals are the lowest paying.
There is overlap with income inequality. Having a lack of resources for low income pet guardians can lead to animals being surrendered to shelters or suffering and people being separated from their animals.
The more we recognize that interplay, we can work with different movements to advocate for people and animals, or advocate for the environment and animals, or all three, in a way that has more power than acting in silos.
Addressing an issue through a variety of methods
Amy: When it comes to farmed animals, advocates across the sector are taking a three pronged approach.
Advocacy to reduce harm to farmed animals through welfare regulations and government policy change that can be really slow and incremental, but it does have an impact. And at the very least, you have to stop it from going backwards, because what we’ll see is that things go backwards if you don’t stay with them.
And then there’s also plant-based advocacy to decrease the demand for animals being raised and killed for food. The more plant-based demand there is, the better likelihood that fewer animals are suffering.
Finally, there’s a push for corporations to adopt higher welfare standards. In the next we’re going to discuss the Canada Animal Welfare Scorecard from Mercy for Animals, tracking which companies are following through with welfare commitments, like sourcing cage-free eggs.
Making the movement more accessible and welcoming
Amy: Another trend that is so important around the globe is making the movement for animals more accessible and welcoming. Moving away from judgment and supporting people to make gradual changes, from talking about a meal you enjoyed to changes like people working within their institutions or their places of work to make change.
There’s also new ways all the time to share information through digital platforms, through one on one conversations, changing media landscapes.
Staying on top of that and reflecting on how we can continue effective advocacy despite a changing environment of how information gets disseminated.
Chantelle: Yeah, that’s so important to consider when we’re talking about how to make animal advocacy more accessible to more people and share these really important messages with as many people as possible.
Taking a community-centered approach
Amy: One final trend is taking a community centered approach. An example is supporting people in caring for their animals rather than pushing for strict regulations, such as bans on pet ownership in low income housing.
As well, working with farmers and workers to create more ethical food systems.
The more we collaborate, the more we can see that everybody does want to work towards some of the same goals, and we can feel connected to those we’re collaborating with and come up with better solutions.
How you can help
Amy: Sharing about the legal changes with friends and family can make a big impact. The more people think about sentience and the constitution, these are abstract concepts, but they mean so much.
It does take this sort of flow from early adopters (people who care deeply about issues and take initiative to make changes) to the mushy middle (people who don’t have strong opinions about an issue but may be swayed to action). And then you get those forced with legislation to change as the final step.
All of you listening are early adopters. Take the time to think about what does it take to get those mushy middle folk a little bit closer to being early adopters, or considering changes in their lives that can influence legislation.
The more public opinion changes, the better odds we have at changing laws.
Next episode
Please join us again next month as we’ll be speaking with Mercy for Animals about Canada’s Animal Welfare Scorecard.
Animal welfare group calls for more oversight after province sanctions B.C. slaughterhouse.
The investigation was launched after Animal Justice released shocking video footage revealing horrific animal suffering and apparent violations of slaughter regulations, allegedly filmed by a whistleblower at Johnston’s Meats.
The disturbing footage shows frightened and panicked pigs being inhumanely handled, including:
Animals being improperly stunned before having their throats cut, being hung upside down to bleed out while conscious, and then placed into a scalding tank of boiling water.
Multiple animals appear to show signs of consciousness after being electrocuted, which is required to render them fully unconscious for the rest of the slaughter process.
In some clips, workers are seen slitting still-conscious pigs’ throats and electrocuting them multiple times.
Following the video release and a legal complaint filed by Animal Justice, the Ministry of Agriculture issued a prohibition notice to the slaughterhouse regarding its use of electric prods and handling of animals, along with a warning letter citing humane treatment violations under B.C.’s Meat Inspection Regulation.
The ministry ordered “corrective actions”, including improved training, and said inspectors would be “increasing oversight”.
Though provincial inspectors are required to be present at slaughterhouses every day of the slaughtering process, inspectors at Johnston’s Meats claimed they never witnessed abuse. No action was taken until Animal Justice filed a complaint, which the organization says “represents a failure to catch bad practices”.
This incident is renewing calls for public transparency, consistent oversight, and proactive enforcement of animal welfare regulations, highlighting that animal suffering may continue until a report is made.
Can you take the quick action below to tell the B.C. government that urgent changes are needed to protect farmed animals from suffering?
A bill seeking to ban the export of horses for slaughter is currently stuck in limbo, with Canada’s Parliament prorogued.
What are live horse exports?
For years, compassionate Canadians have been advocating to end the nation’s cruel live horse export industry, which sends horses on long, dangerous journeys for slaughter overseas.
Horses are cramped in crowded crates and can legally go 28 hours without food, water, or rest – though investigations show most journeys exceed this time limit. Deaths and injuries are commonplace, with a recent exposé showing that 21 horses died in 13 months between May 2023-June 2024.
If an election is called, the bill will be wiped out. Advocates are encouraged to contact the federal Minister of Agriculture to call for regulations banning the industry before that happens.
This new year brings new opportunities to make meaningful change for animals! As we prepare to build on last year’s momentum in 2025, here is a look back on how your support saved lives and built progress for a kinder world.
As the shelter and rescue system continues to struggle to meet the needs of rescued and surrendered animals, it is crucial that loving guardians get the support they need to keep their companion animals in their homes. The VHS’s McVitie Fund helps animals get the emergency veterinary care they need to save their lives, avoid being separated from their guardians for financial reasons, and come home to recover with their families.
Last year, 721 animals received life-saving care through the McVitie Fund.
Kind animal lovers like you were here for animals like Bubba, who needed urgent surgery for a life-threatening urinary blockage. His young guardian Cassie, who was emancipated due to challenging life circumstances, was able to take her beloved companion home safe thanks to your support.
The VHS brought pet first aid to community services
The VHS hosted two pet first aid training courses for service providers who support some of Vancouver’s most placed-at-risk communities in the Downtown Eastside.
With this training, community service providers who work directly with pet guardians every day can treat pets for minor injuries, perform early monitoring, and help animals get the care they need as soon as possible.
Outreach helped pets in Vancouver’s vulnerable communities
At the VHS’s annual Because They Matter event, staff and volunteers met in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community to share veterinary support resources, pet toys, leashes, harnesses, and more essential supplies with animals and their guardians who spend their days on the streets.
The team handed out hundreds of pet supplies and pamphlets sharing life-saving information about the VHS’s veterinary support programs! Read more about the event in the piece from the Daily Hive.
Jordan Rivers / We Animals Media
Speaking up for animals in entertainment
Standing up for animals used in the Calgary Stampede
The VHS and supporters were hard at work advocating to end the suffering of animals at the Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races. A widespread campaign ensured that the deadliest event since 2019 would not be forgotten.
The VHS ran billboards throughout the city of Calgary, which gained further awareness through media coverage.
The VHS team closely monitored events to ensure last year’s tragic incidents were tracked and shared with the public through 45 media broadcasts and articles including on Global News, CTV News, CityNews Calgary, and the CBC. Stampede organizers only shared information about animal deaths after the VHS’s team and media contacts made inquiries.
More than 82,000 people visited the RodeoTruth.com website, reaching five times more people than last year’s awareness campaign. Another 5,245 people took the pledge to #SayNoToRodeo and the chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede.
Following the campaign, polling showed a a significant increase in public opposition to inhumane rodeo and chuckwagon races and to government funding of these events, both in Calgary and across Canada.
The VHS submitted animal cruelty reports in response to particularly concerning incidents in Clinton and Coombs. The shocking incident in Coombs was shared by We Animals Media and eight media outlets.
More than 2,500 people contacted B.C. decision-makers through the VHS’s quick action tool to oppose inhumane rodeo events in B.C. and to call for an end to public funding of these events.
The VHS and supporters continued to speak out about fatal incidents at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver. Four horses tragically lost their lives at the racetrack this year.
Public awareness around the dangers of horse racing continues to grow as the VHS shares information about incidents in outlets like Global News, CTV News Vancouver, and City News Vancouver.
Last year, more than 2,900 people took the VHS’s pledge to oppose horse racing events.
Protecting animals from suffering in zoos and aquariums
The VHS continued to raise awareness about welfare concerns and incidents at zoos and aquariums, including the tragic death of Jenga the giraffe at the Greater Vancouver Zoo after years in a small, barren enclosure, and two fatal incidents at the Calgary Zoo.
More than 1,700 supporters used the VHS’s quick action tool to call for changes to B.C.’s laws around animals in captivity.
VHS supporters shared crucial feedback during the public input period for these codes, using the VHS’s tips sheets to ensure animal well-being is considered in the review process.
Working to end live horse exports for slaughter
The VHS continued to advocate for an end to Canada’s cruel live horse export industry, sharing shocking exposes, timely actions, and an opinion piece written in collaboration with Animal Justice. Nearly 4,100 people supported the passing of Bill C-355, which would ban the export of horses on dangerous and stressful journeys to slaughter.
Sadly, the bill is currently in legislative limbo with Canada’s Parliament prorogued. Allies are encourage to contact the federal Minister of Agriculture and call for regulations to end the practice.
Photo: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition
Giving Tuesday donors helped farmed animals today and in the future
On Giving Tuesday, the VHS once again partnered with The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary to raise funds for vital animal supplies to care for rescued animals in a loving forever home, life-saving veterinary support, and advocacy to create meaningful changes for animals.
Incredible animal allies helped keep animals safe and healthy by donating or shopping at participating businesses, and donations were matched by generous sponsors including Panago Pizza, Nora’s, and Plant Veda.
With the support of the community and matching donors, an amazing $28,500 was donated to help animals in need. Supporters of the Vancouver Humane Society and the Happy Herd’s Giving Tuesday campaign helped provide funds…
…to cover food for all the cows of the Happy Herd for six months
…AND for five vet visits to the Happy Herd
…AND to cover food costs for all chickens at the Happy Herd for a year
…AND for lifesaving tests for 50 pets in need through the VHS’s McVitie Fund
…AND to reach 160,000 animal allies to advocate for meaningful policy changes that will improve animal lives
Saving animals through plant-based advocacy
Plant-forward win in the District of North Vancouver
In May 2024, a motion was approved by the District of North Vancouver Mayor and Council to ensure plant-based options are included and prioritized at municipal events, meetings and other gatherings where the District purchases food.
The motion was supported by local advocates, members of the Plant-Based Cities Movement (PBCM), and VHS supporters who live in the District. The VHS and the PBCM have been working together to advocate for plant-based municipal policies and will continue to support the District of North Vancouver in the implementation of this successful motion.
This important step forward follows a previous motion in the District passed in March 2022 to grow awareness throughout the community of the health and environmental benefits of increasing the intake of plant-based foods. That motion cited VHS’s report entitled “Increasing Plant-Based Purchasing at the Municipal Level”.
Plant-based advocacy in Metro Vancouver
The VHS and supporters also advocated for a shift toward plant-based foods in a public input survey for the Metro Vancouver Regional Food Strategy, which is being updated for the first time since 2011. The new strategy will impact the food system for more than half of British Columbians, including activities like:
Producing food and making decisions about agricultural land use
Serving food, such as through catering and cafeterias
Marketing different types of food (e.g. dairy vs. plant-based alternatives)
A plant-forward shift in Metro Vancouver could save hundreds of thousands of animal lives.
Encouraging businesses to embrace plant-based
The VHS launched a free toolkit to help restaurants add plant-based options to their menu with recipe ideas, simple ingredient swaps, and tips to help plant-based options stand out.
Last year also marked the beginning of the VHS’s Dairy-Free for No Fee café certification program, which encourages cafés to remove the surcharge for plant-based milk options and offers perks and marketing opportunities for those that go surcharge-free.
Spreading the word about plant-based eating
Last year, the VHS’s Plant University team dedicated their efforts to making plant-based eating more accessible and providing guidance on simple, compassionate dietary changes.
The VHS partnered with doctors, cooks, and advocates to create new and exciting articles, videos, and recipes for Plant University, the VHS’s plant-based resource website.
Messaging about the health benefits of plant-based eating were also shared throughout Vancouver through bus ads, billboards, and arena ads.
A kinder future for all species
Thank you for making a difference for animals in 2024! Your support is helping to build a more compassionate and humane future. Will you keep the momentum going by taking action on current campaigns to end animal suffering or contributing to vital animal programs and advocacy?
The Vancouver Humane Society, the BC SPCA, and allies in the Lower Mainland are celebrating a big win for animals as Port Moody prohibits mobile petting zoos!
Port Moody City Council voted to prohibit mobile live animal programs, which transport animals for human entertainment, on January 21st.
Mobile petting zoos pose many animal welfare concerns:
Transportation to different locations can be an inherently stressful process for many species.
The animals used in these zoos are typically transported and kept in undersized cages or units that may also lack other elements they need to engage in important natural behaviours, like appropriate substrate and enrichment items.
Animals can develop chronic stress and health issues as a result of disrupted eating, sleeping, and drinking patterns, and from being exposed to unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells and human handling and interactions.
Read or watch more about this win for animals in the articles below!
CBC News
“These events really perpetuate the notion that animals are here for our entertainment, which is certainly not a message we should be teaching children,” Emily Pickett said in an interview televised on CBC News.
Port Moody, B.C., will adopt a corporate policy banning mobile live animal programs from operating on public or private land in the city.
“Thursday, the BC SPCA and VHS lauded Port Moody’s decision.
‘The BC SPCA is thrilled to see local governments like the City of Port Moody make progressive policy decisions to enhance animal welfare in their communities,’ said Nadia Xenakis, the BC SPCA’s wild animal welfare specialist, in a news release.”
In this month’s episode of The Informed Animal Ally, we look back through the show’s second season, which delved into what good welfare looks like for animals and how we can all help improve animal well-being.
The first episode of this series, Is my pet happy?, was released in March 2023. This episode looked at companion animal behaviour, emotional “tells”, and the many facets that make up a good life for domestic cats and dogs.
The second episode in this series, How to train your dog or cat, was released in April 2023. The episode looks at the concept of training: How it is important to improve the well-being of animals cared for by humans, the science behind different training techniques, and how to create positive experiences for animals during training.
Do pigs really like mud? And other farmed animal behaviours
The third episode in this series is entitled Do pigs really like mud? And other farmed animal behaviours. The episode, released in May 2023, looks at how different species of farmed animals express their natural behaviours and how they build a good life for themselves when they are free to do so. It also touches on how the modern animal agriculture system prevents animals from expressing these behaviours.
The final episode in this series, How can you help wildlife?, came out in June 2023. This discussion looks at the many ways wild animals are impacted by human activities, both in their natural habitats and in captivity, and how we can each make a difference in wild animals’ lives by focussing on compassionate conservation and minimizing the harmful impacts of human behaviour and infrastructure on wildlife.
