Author: Chantelle Archambault

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Treat wildlife trafficking as the serious crime that it is

Head-on photo of an African elephant in the wild

Quick summary

  • Wildlife trafficking generates US$199 billion annually but is largely absent from binding global enforcement frameworks.
  • Elephanatics and World Elephant Day are calling for Canada to lead the global effort to establish a dedicated Wildlife Crime Protocol under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).
  • You can help by taking the quick action to contact your MP through Elephanatics’s campaign page.
Take quick action

Wildlife trafficking has become a major organized crime

Every year, transnational wildlife crime generates an estimated US$199 billion. Despite this, trafficking animals is often treated as a minor regulatory offence. That means organized crime networks can exploit Canada’s borders with relatively low risk and enormous reward.

Advocates at Elephanatics and World Elephant Day are working to change that, and they need your help.

Addressing wildlife tracking as the serious crime it is

Elephanatics, in partnership with World Elephant Day, is calling on Canadians to urge their Member of Parliament to support a dedicated Wildlife Crime Protocol under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), the principal global treaty for fighting international crime networks.

A dedicated protocol would require countries to treat wildlife trafficking with the same legal seriousness as other major organized crimes. It would give law enforcement better tools for cross-border investigations and intelligence sharing, and help dismantle a massive illegal industry that threatens ecosystems and economies worldwide.

Take quick action

Elephanatics has made it easy to contact your MP directly. Click the link below to send an email with just a few clicks.

Take quick action

Every email sent is a step toward meaningful structural change for wildlife around the world

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“My angel Lola is recovering beautifully!”

“I cannot thank you enough. My angel Lola is recovering beautifully! … I am forever grateful to you for giving us more time together.”

Beautiful senior dog Lola is home safe and healthy now with her senior guardian.

At 12 years old, Lola still has a lot of life left in her. She is deaf and is highly visual, understanding facial expressions and some sign language. She loves strolling the neighbourhood with her guardian and her buddy and “hearing ear dog”, Dobby. She says hello to every person she meets. Her guardian says Lola considers it her duty to visit every patient at the Alzheimer’s hospital.

But this sweet girl’s life almost didn’t have a chance to begin.

Because Lola was born deaf, her breeder wanted to euthanize her. She was rescued by her guardian “Carol” (name changed for privacy), and the two have been an incredible support for each other ever since.

“She is an angel and has changed my life. I have severe anxiety, often unable to even get to the grocery store, but with Lola, I am able to get out because she loves being the social butterfly. She insists we stop and see every person that crosses our path! She has opened my world.”

For the first six years of her life, Lola suffered from seizures until Carol finally found a medication to keep them under control. She has now been seizure-free for half of her lifetime!

Lola has also stood by Carol’s side, offering invaluable comfort and love through health struggles including cancer.

“This little girl, with all her strength and heart, has taught me to be a fighter.”

Six months ago, Carol noticed that Lola would soon need dental care. She tried getting part time work to save up, but as a 70-year-old woman dealing with her own health struggles, she was sadly not able to save up the funds in time. She recently found Lola running back and forth rubbing her mouth on furniture trying to cope with a very painful toothache.

Without a credit card and almost out of options, Carol reached out to her last hope for support: the VHS’s McVitie Fund.

“We were up all night because she doesn’t know what to do with herself, running back and forth, rubbing her mouth on everything … wondering why I am not helping her.”

Thanks to generous supporters from the community who make this work possible, Lola was able to get the urgent care she needed to feel better and come home.

Carol shared that she is so grateful to have more time with Lola.

Every day, donors who support the McVitie Fund make these happy stories possible: bringing animals home safe and healthy, taking care of those in urgent need, and keeping loving families together.

The McVitie Fund helps an average of 140 animals each month, with each care case needing an average of $500 in assistance. These life-changing assistance funds are entirely donated by caring members of the community. That’s why every donation, no matter the size, makes such a meaningful difference.

Could you make a gift today to help give animals like Lola more time with their families who love them?

Yes! I’ll donate to pets in need.
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How campaigners took on industrial farming in Denmark’s ‘pig election’

A pig on a dirt floor stares at the camera

How campaigners beat industrial farming in Denmark’s ‘pig election’

Mette Frederiksen’s new government promises overhaul for people – and animals – in home of ultra-intensive farming

Progress for animals often moves slowly. This can be disheartening. As an animal ally, it can feel as though others don’t care enough to make change. But how much is that feeling based in reality?

When asked about animal issues, most Canadians express care and concern. Most people with companion animals consider those animals to be part of the family. Canadians are also largely opposed to activities that pose animal welfare concerns, such as trophy hunting (83% opposed), killing animals for their fur (78% opposed), rodeos (65% opposed), and zoos and aquariums (58% opposed).

Animal welfare is typically a bipartisan issue in Canada, resonating with people regardless of which political party they vote for. Still, animal welfare alone is rarely a motivator for change from decision-makers.

What happens when animal allies unite with other changemakers?

A recent election in Denmark answered that question, as advocates for animal welfare, the environment, and residents made pig farming a major election issue through two years of focused campaigning.

Citizens used their votes to show they care about the animal welfare, land use, environmental, and human impacts of pig farming, a main industry in Denmark.

Collaboration with other sectors has helped make progress for animals in Canada.

Animal advocates in Canada have teamed up with advocates on other issues and highlighted the overlap between the health of animals, humans, and our shared environment.

Here in British Columbia, a permanent ban on the farming of mink for fur was announced in 2021 due to public health risks.

In 2023, a phase-out of toxicity testing on animals was included in an update to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

The Protecting Victims Act passed this summer, criminalizing the distribution of animal sexual abuse material while recognizing harm and threats against animals as part of coercive control and criminal harassment.

Collaboration paints a promising path forward.

These stories paint a promising path forward in animal advocacy; one where collaboration with other advocates and intersections with other important issues create real opportunities for meaningful change.

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Take action for farmed animals
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Win for animals: Tripadvisor no longer allows rodeo & racing ticket sales

A bull in the chutes at The Calgary Stampede rodeo. Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Media.

Animal advocates around the world are celebrating a step forward as Tripadvisor has strengthened their animal welfare policy! The new policy evaluates activities involving animals “informed by the Five Domains of Animal Welfare, a globally recognised framework that assesses an animal’s quality of life”:

Source: Tripadvisor.ca

The new policy “does not enable booking for experiences that involve animal racing, such as most dog, horse and camel racing or for rodeo-style events”. It also forbids sales of tickets for attractions including elephant riding and those involving captive whales and dolphins.

This important step forward involves a major company acknowledging that many animal entertainment events cause unnecessary risk and stress to animals. It also helps travellers to make more compassionate choices about the events and attractions they attend.

To learn more about choosing compassionate events and attractions, check out the VHS’s podcast episode on An animal-friendly summer break with Erin Ryan.

Podcast: An animal-friendly summer break

Cover photo: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media.

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The Calgary Stampede hasn’t answered: what happened to the animals in 2026?

The VHS is raising concerns about transparency and accountability at the Stampede and about a recent update to Alberta’s Animal Protection Act that was passed without public consultation. The change makes it harder to protect animals used in rodeo and chuckwagon races from distress.

In summary:
  • Following another controversial year for the Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races, the VHS reached out to the Stampede Board of Directors and Executive Management team requesting an update on this year’s animal incidents, injuries and any deaths.
  • To date, the VHS has still not received a response or acknowledgement from the Calgary Stampede.
  • The 2026 Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races saw several incidents, including a chuckwagon collision resulting in the serious injury of a horse.
  • The Stampede also denied a media pass to We Animals Media, an animal photojournalism organization, further limiting public transparency around their treatment of animals.
Take Action
Sign the #SayNoToRodeo Pledge
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The 2026 Calgary Stampede ended on July 13th with a confirmed serious injury and three other concerning animal incidents.

Despite reaching out to Stampede officials to confirm the status of these animals, the Vancouver Humane Society has still not heard back.

On July 19th, the Vancouver Humane Society wrote directly to the Calgary Stampede to inquire about several concerning incidents:

  • One horse was confirmed to be seriously injured during an unaired heat of the chuckwagon races on July 11th. 
  • Another heat from the same day was not aired and results show that a team did not finish the race; this often indicates an incident or animal injury.
  • During a calf roping event on July 12th, a calf appeared motionless after being caught. The cameras quickly cut away.
  • Rodeo handlers received criticism for rough handling of a horse in a bucking event on July 8th.

The VHS requested that Calgary Stampede organizers respond with the status of these animals and the number of animal injuries and fatalities at the 2026 rodeo and chuckwagon races by July 27th. That deadline has passed with no response or acknowledgment from the Stampede.

Take Action
Sign the #SayNoToRodeo Pledge

The Stampede’s lack of transparency conflicts with their own welfare messaging.

The Calgary Stampede regularly emphasizes its commitment to animal welfare. But being transparent about their animal welfare practices would mean providing honest, timely information when animals are hurt, especially when those incidents are captured on video and witnessed by thousands of people.

The public deserves to know what happened to these animals so they can make informed decisions about attending risky animal entertainment events.

Meanwhile, Alberta law change weakens protections for animals used in rodeo.

The silence from the Stampede comes at a troubling moment for animals used in rodeo and chuckwagon racing in Alberta.

Earlier this year, when Alberta’s Animal Protection Act was being updated with a new loophole for animal sporting events, the VHS and supporters wrote to Alberta decision-makers to raise concerns.

A proposed change allowed distress caused to animals in sporting activities, as long as those activities followed “reasonable and generally accepted practices.”

The amendment that passed explicitly names chuckwagon racing and rodeo, exempting them from distress protections that other animals receive. It also makes it an offence to make “frivolous or vexatious” complaints to law enforcement.

There was no public comment period on this significant change.

As journalist Jessica Scott-Reid recently wrote in the Toronto Star, this new law amendment leaves animals more vulnerable and will likely discourage the public from making complaints.  

“The legislature didn’t write that exemption because these events are safe. It wrote that exemption because it knew they weren’t, and it chose to protect the rodeo industry instead of the safety of these horses”

said Alexandra Pester, a Calgary-based lawyer with Animal Justice.

Take Action
Sign the #SayNoToRodeo Pledge
Dozens of activists gather with signs protesting the 2026 Calgary Stampede
Activists gather with signs protesting the 2026 Calgary Stampede

Your voice can help ensure animals’ voices and well-being aren’t left behind.

Below are three important actions you can take today for animals used in the Calgary Stampede’s rodeo and chuckwagon events.

1. Use the quick-action tool below to contact decision-makers

2. Keep the momentum going by signing the #SayNoToRodeo pledge

3. Contact the Calgary Stampede directly using their public contact form to share your concerns and request an update on the animal incidents at this year’s event

After signing, share the action with others and invite them to speak up.

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Media Release

Two chuckwagons collided at Saturday’s chuckwagon race, leading to serious injury for horse 

VANCOUVER, July 12, 2026 – A horse has been seriously injured during the July 11th chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede, prompting renewed calls from the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) to remove the dangerous event from the Stampede program. 

The horse suffered a serious injury when two teams collided while attempting to round the barrels during heat 3 of the races. Stampede representatives shared that an initial exam revealed no fractures, but the injury is considered serious. The incident again highlights the inherent risks of the chuckwagon event. 

For the VHS, the news lands as familiar and disheartening. The organization has tracked animal injuries and deaths at the Stampede since 1986, with 110 known animal deaths to date and 79 of those in chuckwagon racing alone. 

“Every year we hope this won’t happen again, but nearly every year there are horse injuries and deaths during the chuckwagon races,” said Emily Pickett, Campaign Director at the VHS. “The chuckwagon races are dubbed ‘the half-mile of hell’ for a reason. They simply aren’t safe for the horses and the track record of injuries and deaths reflects this reality.” 

The VHS says the risk to horses is built into the event itself. Wagons and horses race in close proximity and take tight turns at high speed, and the horses used are typically thoroughbreds bred for speed rather than skeletal health. Track and equipment adjustments made over the years, such as reducing the number of horses per heat, have not changed this underlying risk. 

At the same time, public concern around the use of animals in rodeo events continues to grow. Research Co. polling from 2024 showed a majority of Calgarians oppose calf roping, steer wrestling, bronc riding, and chuckwagon racing.  Similar polling from 2022 found that removing rodeo and chuckwagon events would have little to no effect on Stampede attendance.   

The VHS is calling for the rodeo and chuckwagon races to be removed from the Stampede program to prevent more suffering and deaths. The organization is encouraging people to sign a pledge not to attend the rodeo and chuckwagon races and send a message directly to government decision-makers as part of its Rodeo Truth project, run in collaboration with concerned Calgarians.   

— ends — 

SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society 

For more information, contact: 

Emily Pickett 
Campaign Director, Vancouver Humane Society 
604-416-2901 
emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca 

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Two chuckwagons collided at Saturday’s chuckwagon race, leading to serious injury for horse

Photo: Reddit user thicketcosplay

  • During a Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby chuckwagon race on July 11, 2026, a horse suffered serious injuries when two teams collided while attempting to round the barrels.
  • Stampede representatives state “an initial exam revealed no fractures but the injury is considered serious”. The incident again highlights the inherent risks of the chuckwagon event.
  • The chuckwagon races are by far the deadliest animal event at the Calgary Stampede, accounting for 79 of 110 known animal fatalities since the VHS began tracking deaths at the Stampede rodeo and chuckwagons in 1986.
  • Animal deaths happen almost every year at the Stampede. In 2025, a horse named Rider suffered a fracture to his left-front cannon bone during a chuckwagon race and was euthanized.

TAKE ACTION: Use the quick action tool to call on government decision-makers to work with organizers to remove these inhumane and deadly animal events from the Stampede program.  

Take #SayNoToRodeo pledge
Email decision-makers
Learn more

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Horse seriously injured after two chuckwagon teams collided

A horse has reportedly been seriously injured following a collision during the Calgary Stampede’s chuckwagon races on July 11.

The Calgary Herald reported that Chance Flad’s Bar L5 Ranch wagon and Wade Salmond’s De Havilland Aircraft of Canada wagon failed to finish Heat 3 after their horses collided while rounding the barrels. Witnesses said two horses went down in the crash.

a horse being lifted into a trailer behind a privacy tarp on the track.
Photo: Reddit user thicketcosplay

One was eventually able to walk from the track, while the other remained down and was lifted into a trailer behind a privacy tarp.

CTV News Calgary reported that the horse is considered seriously injured and is undergoing evaluation.

Horse injured during chuckwagon races but X-rays show no fractures: Stampede CEO

A horse took a fall during the Rangeland Derby at the Calgary Stampede Saturday night.

Nearly every year, there are animal deaths at the Calgary Stampede.

This incident is another reminder of the inherent risks that the chuckwagon races pose to horses due to the extremely high speed, tight turns, close proximity of wagons and horses to each other, and use of thoroughbred horses who are bred for speed rather than skeletal strength.

At least 110 animals have lost their lives at the Stampede rodeo and chuckwagons since 1986, when the VHS began keeping track. 79 of these deaths were horses used in the chuckwagon races.

In 2025, a horse named Rider was euthanized after a catastrophic leg injury during a chuckwagon race. The 2024 Stampede was the deadliest since 2019, with 4 animal fatalities during the 10-day event. 3 chuckwagon horses suffered unrecoverable injuries and a steer’s neck was broken during a wrestling event.

Injuries and deaths may also be underreported, as it can take up to 48 hours after an incident for an injury to present.  

Public polling in recent years reflects growing opposition to the use of animals in rodeo.

2022

Removal of the rodeo and chuckwagon events from the Stampede program would have virtually no impact on attendance rates and would bring in new crowds.  

2023

A majority of Albertans oppose the use of animals in rodeo. 

2024

 A majority of Calgarians oppose calf roping, steer wrestling, bronc riding, and chuckwagon racing. In addition to this, 67% of Calgarians oppose government funding of rodeo events. 

Email decision-makers
Take #SayNoToRodeo pledge

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Media Release

Vancouver Humane Society files cruelty complaint after Clinton Rodeo footage reveals apparent animal welfare violations 

VANCOUVER, July 2, 2026 — The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has filed a cruelty complaint with the BC SPCA after a review of footage from this year’s Clinton Rodeo identified four concerning incidents involving the inhumane treatment of animals. 

Animal Cruelty at the 2026 Clinton Rodeo.

Animals used in rodeos continue to face serious welfare risks in B.C. Animals deserve stronger protections, and taxpayer dollars should not support events where animals are put at risk for entertainment. Take quick action for animals used in rodeos through the link in our bio.

This is not the first time the Clinton Rodeo has faced scrutiny. Following the 2024 rodeo, the BC SPCA investigated after footage showed a visibly stressed bull being shocked with an electric prod—including on the animal’s anus—as well as a horse being repeatedly struck in the face and punched in the neck while in the bucking chute.  

Most concerning in this year’s footage, two animals appear to be repeatedly shocked with a handheld electric prod during a junior steer riding event—a direct violation of the British Columbia Rodeo Association’s (BCRA) own 2026 rule book, which states that “no animal shall be beaten, mutilated, or cruelly prodded” and which prohibits the use of prods in riding events except to load an animal. In both cases, the animal is confined in the bucking chute and has a rider on their back, for which the rule book outlines a $1,000 fine. Repeated violations are to result in a stock contractor’s card being reduced to probationary status or suspended pending review, according to the current rules. 

Electric prod use at Clinton Rodeo 2026

Clinton Rodeo has again been the subject of a cruelty complaint by the Vancouver Humane Society after video footage from the event shows electric prod use in apparent violation of the BC Rodeo Association’s rules.

Footage of two additional incidents from this year’s rodeo shows an agitated horse being repeatedly whipped by a rider and a handler striking a visibly stressed steer with a paddle. 

“Every rodeo we have monitored across the province has shown animals experiencing visible fear, stress, and unnecessary risk of harm.” said Emily Pickett, Campaign Director at the VHS. “These are not isolated incidents. They are what happens when an industry is allowed to regulate itself with no independent oversight and little meaningful legal protection for the animals involved. ” 

The VHS continues to call on the B.C. government to end public funding of rodeo events and to take steps to better protect animals from suffering in these events. In 2026, more than $400,000 in provincial funding was awarded to events that include rodeos, despite polling showing that a strong majority of British Columbians oppose government funding of rodeo events. 

British Columbians who want to take action can send a message to the provincial government calling for an end to public funding of rodeo events and better protections for animals used in rodeo. 

— ends — 

SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society 

For more information, contact: 

Emily Pickett 
Campaign Director, Vancouver Humane Society 
604-416-2901 
emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca 

Additional links: https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/posts/the-2026-bc-rodeo-season-is-underway/  

Additional media:  

Inhumane handling at the 2026 Clinton Rodeo: https://youtu.be/6r9xTBH7Qvg  
Electric prod use: https://youtu.be/qfm6PUUHRJU

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The Protecting Victims Act passes in Canada!

close up view of unrecognizable dog and owner woman holding hand and paw.

Quick summary

  • The Protecting Victims Act received Royal Assent to become law in Canada last week, creating a safer future for victims of coercive control and the animals they care about.
  • Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, criminalizes the distribution of animal sexual abuse material while recognizing harm or threats against animals as part of coercive control and criminal harassment.
  • These types images, harms, and threats are not only acts of cruelty toward animals—they are also used to groom and exploit children and control victims.
  • This historic milestone was made possible through years of advocacy from Humane Canada (the federation of humane societies and SPCAs) and Member organizations.

B.C. welcomes Bills C-16 and C-225 receiving royal assent

Following federal bills C-16 (the Protecting Victims Act) and C-225 (an act to amend the Criminal Code) becoming law, Niki Sharma, Attorney Genera released a statement.

Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, has received Royal Assent in Canada!

Read the article

What is the Protecting Victims Act?

Violence against animals and violence against people are deeply connected, a reality that has left children, survivors, and animals without the protections they needed. Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, is a crucial step forward that recognizes the violence link and takes action where it is urgently needed.

The bill criminalizes the distribution of animal sexual abuse images, material that has been used to groom, manipulate, and exploit children. It also expands protections for people whose animals are harmed or threatened as a form of coercive control, a tactic widely used in intimate partner violence and criminal harassment.

These measures close long-standing gaps in Canadian law and strengthen safety for the entire family unit.

The Protecting Victims Act became law in Canada after receiving Royal Assent in Ottawa last week, along with Bill C-225, another act introducing stronger penalties for intimate partner violence.

Podcast: How are laws made in Canada?
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Theo is walking again!

Theo holds himself up by his front paws to compensate from the pain of a dislocated back knee.

Brave Theo is back to his adventures after a scary couple of weeks.

Before Theo eats a single bite of his food, he has to hunt it first. He stalks it, pounces on it, and “kills” it with great satisfaction. When this fearless “hunter” stopped walking on his back leg, his guardian Lily became very concerned.

Theo grew up with Lily’s nine-year-old daughter. He is a member of the family, her best friend, and her emotional support. When things are hard, Theo is there.

Lily was determined to do whatever she could to help Theo, but the odds were stacked against her. She was supporting herself, her daughter, and Theo, and had very limited funds. She had recently covered other significant vet costs for Theo, including for a scary situation where he had a collapsed trachea. She feared he would not be able to undergo surgery because of his trachea. She also did not have the finances left for a vet visit and X-rays.

After trying to help Theo at home and carrying him everywhere, Lily saw no improvement in her beloved dog. Instead, he kept retreating to his own space and seemed to be in a deep depression and pain.

That’s when Lily learned of the VHS’s McVitie Fund and reached out for help.

With the support of caring animal lovers in our community, Theo was able to get the anti-inflammatory and pain medications that he needed and the vet provided instructions for physical therapy. Theo is walking on all four legs again and is back to his happy, social, mobile self!

Theo holds himself up by his front paws to compensate from the pain of a dislocated back knee.
Theo enjoys a short smelling walk as he begins to gingerly use his back leg again.

Lily shared her gratitude and relief with the VHS’s supporters for helping Theo get back to enjoying his life.

Help animals like Theo