Author: Teri Westerby

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As the 2026 Calgary Stampede begins, the VHS continues to call for an end to inhumane rodeo and deadly chuckwagon races

A roped calf lies on the ground at the Calgary Stampede rodeo
Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media.

Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media.

  • The 2026 Calgary Stampede is underway from July 3 to 12, bringing with it the return of controversial rodeo events and deadly chuckwagon races that continue to put animals at risk of injury and that result in near-annual animal deaths.
  • To date, at least 110 animals have lost their lives at the Calgary Stampede since the VHS began tracking fatalities in 1986 – an astonishing average of one animal death every 3.5 days of competition.
  • There are many ways to enjoy the city during Stampede season without supporting rodeo or chuckwagon events. Check out the cruelty-free Stampede events calendar and share it with friends, family, and coworkers.

TAKE ACTION: Sign the #SayNoToRodeo pledge and send a message to decision-makers to call for the removal of inhumane and deadly animal events from the annual Stampede program.

Take #SayNoToRodeo pledge
Email decision-makers
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Discover cruelty-free events

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Rodeos and chuckwagon races are fast-paced, timed events that put animals’ safety at risk.

The chuckwagon races are promoted as the “half-mile of hell” and involve teams of horses attached to wagons that are pulled at high speed, making tight turns, and in close proximity to each other.

Beyond the risk of injury and death, animals used in rodeo events are also subjected to stress and suffering.

Chuckwagon racing at The Calgary Stampede

Many rodeo activities, including bucking, roping, and wrestling events, use tools and practices like spurs, flank straps, and rough handling to provoke “fight or flight” responses in the animals.

These events rely on the use of fear, stress, and discomfort to make animals flee and buck.

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

At least 110 animals have lost their lives at the Stampede since 1986, when the VHS began keeping track. Most deaths occur during the chuckwagon races due to the fast pace and close proximity of the horses and wagons.

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 irrecoverable 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

Attend alternative cruelty-free events around Calgary

There are many ways to enjoy the city during Stampede season without supporting rodeo or chuckwagon events. Check out the cruelty-free Stampede events calendar and share it with friends, family, and coworkers.

Join the “Buck the Rodeo” Rally

The Calgary Animal Rights Effort is hosting a peaceful rally to raise awareness about the animal welfare issues at the rodeo and chuckwagon races.

Saturday and Sunday,
July 4 and 5th, 11th and 12th.
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. MDT
Victoria Park / Stampede Station, Calgary

The rally will meet across from the Victoria/Stampede C-Train Station. Signs will be available, and you are welcome to bring your own.

Discover cruelty-free events around calgary

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New Westminster can make plant-based food part of its climate plan

  • New Westminster is asking residents and businesses to comment on its draft Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Plan by May 31. 
  • The draft plan looks at adaption strategies to build resilience into the city’s infrastructure against major climate impacts. Food should be part of that conversation.  
  • By adding plant-based food strategies into their draft plan, New Westminster can take a practical step toward strengthening food resilience by increasing access and affordability and reducing pressure on high-impact food systems.

TAKE ACTION: If you live or operate a business in New Westminster, please take a few minutes to comment on the City’s Draft Plan, encouraging them to consider plant-based foods as part of their strategy.

View the draft plan
Review key sections for comment
Make a quick comment

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New West can build climate resilience through plant-based food.

When people think about preparing a city for climate change, they often picture cooling centres, shaded streets, stronger buildings, flood planning, and emergency response. But resilience is also about everyday needs, including whether people can access affordable, nutritious food when climate impacts disrupt daily life.

New Westminster can help build climate-ready neighbourhoods by supporting increased access to affordable plant-based meals, shelf-stable plant-based proteins, locally sourced produce, and culturally appropriate food options.

Below are key sections of the draft plan where New West residents and businesses can ask the City to include plant-based food.

Comment on the plan
Read key sections for comment

Only have a few minutes? Here is a quick comment:

If you do not have time to comment on each section, you can adapt the comment below and email mayorandcouncillors@newwestcity.ca:

“Please include plant-based food in New Westminster’s climate adaptation and resilience planning.

Plant-based foods can be part of a stronger and more resilient food system. Foods such as legumes, grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins can be affordable, nutritious, lower-impact, and easier to store than many animal-based products.

Climate impacts can disrupt food access and increase costs, so the City should support affordable, nutritious, lower-impact options through public facilities, City-run programs, community events, emergency planning, food security initiatives, and partnerships with local businesses and community organizations.

Signed, [Your Name]”

Share your feedback before May 31.

Email the mayor now

Plant-based food policy is a practical climate solution.

Animal products use a large share of the world’s farmland and contribute more than half of food-related emissions, while providing a much smaller share of global calories and protein.

C40’s Good Food Cities work found that cities shifting public food procurement saw a 31% drop in high-emission foods, a 44% increase in plant-based foods, and a 16% drop in food-related greenhouse gas emissions from public food purchasing.

And a Vancouver Humane Society cost-benefit analysis found that replacing 20% of the City of Vancouver’s animal-based food purchasing with plant-based alternatives could save up to $99,000 and reduce emissions by more than 500 tonnes.

Plant-Based Cities Movement notes that 82% of Canadians live in cities and that most food is consumed there. That gives municipal governments a real opportunity to reduce food-related emissions through local policy. 

For New Westminster, including plant-based food in their strategies offers a practical way to strengthen climate resilience while also reducing emissions, saving public funds, and helping prevent animal suffering through everyday policy choices.

Take quick action: Share this graphic

Help more New West residents learn about this opportunity.

Share this graphic on your social media before the May 31 deadline and encourage others to comment on the draft plan.

Key sections for comment:

To comment, create an account on New West’s online platform ‘Be Heard’, review the draft plan, and add your feedback directly to the sections you care about. You can leave as many comments as you’d like throughout the draft plan.

To make your submission impactful, and to ensure that it is included, do not copy and paste the text below. Use your own words so your submission reflects your personal concerns and experience.

Comment on the plan
Send a quick comment

Action 2.2.3: Public facilities can lead by example

Public facilities are more than just buildings. They are places where people gather, learn, celebrate, receive services, exercise, and build community.

As New Westminster updates public facility policies, the City could include food service and procurement in that work. This could mean making plant-based options available at City-hosted events, meetings, recreation centres, community programs, seniors’ programs, and other public spaces.

A climate-resilient public facility should not only be energy-efficient. It should also support access to affordable, nutritious, lower-impact plant-based food options in the places residents already use.

Theme 3: Neighbourhood resilience includes food access

When a heat wave, flood, storm, or supply chain disruption occurs, food access becomes a public resilience issue.

That is why plant-based food should be considered in emergency planning, food security work, community kitchens, public programs, and local food partnerships.

New Westminster can help build climate-ready neighbourhoods by working with community partners to improve access to affordable plant-based meals, shelf-stable plant-based proteins, local produce, and culturally appropriate food options.

Theme 6: Everyday City decisions can build food resilience

The draft Climate Plan says climate risk and resilience should be integrated into day-to-day decision-making and City operations.

New Westminster could make plant-based options a normal part of City operations by:

  • Requiring plant-based options at City-hosted events and meetings
  • Adding plant-based considerations to procurement guidelines
  • Providing staff guidance for plant-forward catering
  • Supporting public education about climate-resilient food choices
  • Ensuring City-supported food programs include affordable plant-based options

City decisions about catering, events, grants, facility rentals, community programs, concessions, procurement, and public education all shape what food options are available.

Action 6.1.8: Funding local food resilience solutions

Small grants, pilot projects, public education, and partnerships could help residents access affordable, nutritious, lower-impact plant-based foods while supporting broader climate resilience goals.

For example, the City could support plant-based cooking workshops, community kitchen programs, food security partnerships, local growers, community gardens, food forests, or pilot projects in recreation centres and community centres.

These kinds of initiatives can reduce barriers and help residents see that resilient plant-based food can be familiar, affordable, culturally relevant, and enjoyable.

New West residents: Take action by May 31!

Food is key part of climate resilience. New Westminster has an opportunity to make affordable, climate-resilient, animal-friendly options more available in the places people already gather.

If you live or operate a business in New Westminster, please take a few minutes to ask the City to include plant-based food access in the plan.

Comment on the plan
Make a quick comment

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Global momentum builds to end horse carriages on busy city streets

  • Around the world, meaningful progress is being made to end the practice of operating horse-drawn carriages on busy city streets. 
  • In Cartagena, Colombia, where the city’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, horse carriages are being replaced with electric ones amid growing concerns about horse welfare and safety. 
  • In New York, the city’s new mayor has announced support for removing horse carriages from Central Park and working with stakeholders to end the practice. 
  • Locally, the VHS’s campaign to remove horse carriages from high traffic streets in Vancouver has gathered more than 3,000 signatures and was recently featured in the Daily Hive. The campaign has been seen more than 330,000 times on social media.

TAKE ACTION: Sign the petition urging Vancouver City Council to prohibit horse carriages from busy city streets, and if you’ve already signed, please share it to help build momentum.

Share on:

Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky

Send a quick message
Learn more

Below is a template message that will be sent to Mayor Sim & Vancouver City Council. Tip: personalize the subject and message for added impact, or send a message directly to: mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca

Horse carriages & traffic don’t mix 

Horses are sensitive prey animals, not suited for navigating the increasingly crowded, noisy, and unpredictable streets of a modern city. Yet, Vancouver bylaws still allow horse-drawn carriages to operate on busy roads in high-traffic commercial areas throughout the city. 

These urban environments are filled with loud noises, fast-moving traffic, hard pavement, vehicle exhaust, and crowds that can easily startle horses, no matter how experienced or well-trained they are. 

Previous horse carriage incidents 

Below are a few previous incidents that show how quickly things can become dangerous for the horses and the public when horse carriages operate in busy urban spaces. 

  • Victoria, 2024: A horse is spooked after an equipment malfunction, resulting in the driver losing control of the horse, who proceeds to run and buck through an intersection. Passengers jumped out of the carriage before the horse collapsed on the concrete. 
  • Victoria, 2023: A spooked horse flees for three blocks before tripping and falling over a bike lane curb. The incident resulted in the driver being thrown from the carriage and both the driver and horse suffered minor cuts. 
  • Victoria, 2018: In downtown Victoria, a horse-drawn carriage rolled back and bumped into a bus that was following too closely. The impact caused both horses to fall, blocking traffic and requiring an emergency response. The horses remained on the ground for more than five minutes, during which members of the public attempted to assist. Those assisting were not directed to stay clear of the horses’ legs, putting themselves at risk of serious injury. 
  • Victoria, 2018: A second incident occurred only a few months later, when horses were spooked and veered off course and crashed into a parked vehicle. Witnesses reported that the horses smashed the vehicle’s windows and even climbed onto its roof with their front hooves. 
  • Vancouver, 2016: A loud car horn startled a team of horses pulling a carriage, causing them to bolt along Stanley Park’s seawall with passengers on board. The horses left the road, crossed a bike path, and smashed a park bench with the carriage before continuing for approximately 100 metres. The driver fell from the carriage, and several frightened passengers leapt off as it sped along. Multiple people were injured, and there were concerns that the horses could have plunged over the sea wall and into the water. 

Holiday event observations in Vancouver 

In recent years, the VHS has documented horse carriages at holiday events in busy commercial areas, such as Kerrisdale and Commercial Drive.  

The footage shows recurring welfare concerns and safety risks, including: 

  • Horses working in close proximity to moving vehicles; 
  • Horse carriages turning across oncoming traffic at busy intersections; 
  • Horses exposed to loud, sudden, and unpredictable noises and movement, such as sirens, car alarms, music, dogs, and bicycles; 
  • Members of the public approaching and interacting with horses without supervision; 

Horses showing possible signs of stress or agitation, including head shaking, bit chewing, and pawing. 

Sign & share the petition

Join the VHS in urging Vancouver City Council to protect the well-being and safety of horses and the public by prohibiting horse-drawn carriages from busy city streets.

TAKE ACTION

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Tell Vancouver City Council: keep horse-drawn carriages off busy city streets

  • Vancouver bylaws allow horse-drawn carriages to operate on busy city streets, putting horses and the public at risk of serious injury.  
  • The VHS has raised concern about horse-drawn carriages operating at events in busy, high-traffic commercial districts of Vancouver, such as Kerrisdale and Commercial Drive.  
  • These urban environments are dangerous and can be stressful for horses due to traffic, noise, pollution, and unpredictable surroundings.  
  • Cities like Montreal, Chicago, and Salt Lake City have already banned or restricted horse-drawn carriages for similar reasons.

SIGN THE PETITION: Urge Vancouver City Council to protect horses and the public from these risks by prohibiting horse-drawn carriages from busy city streets.

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Learn more

Horses are sensitive, social animals, not suited for navigating the increasingly busy, noisy, and unpredictable streets of a modern city. Yet, Vancouver bylaws still allow horse-drawn carriages to operate on busy roads in high-traffic commercial areas throughout the city.

These urban environments are filled with loud noises, fast-moving traffic, hard pavement, vehicle exhaust, and crowds that can easily startle horses, no matter how experienced or well-trained they are. The physical and mental toll on horses, especially from noise sensitivity, air pollution, and walking on hard concrete for hours, cannot be overlooked.

Growing public concern

Despite growing concerns, existing bylaws do not address the safety and welfare issues that carriage horses face in busy city environments.

In 2020, nearly 7,000 people signed a petition urging the Vancouver Park Board to remove horse-drawn carriages from Stanley Park, showing that public concern around this outdated practice is strong and growing.

In recent years, incidents in Vancouver, Victoria, and Montreal have underscored the risks associated with horse-drawn carriages in busy urban environments. Horses have bolted after being spooked, fallen on slippery streets, and collided with traffic. Cities across North America, including Montreal, have since chosen to ban or restrict horse-drawn carriages to prevent further harm.

Previous Incidents

Vancouver – Stanley Park

2016: A team of horses pulling a carriage was startled by a car horn and bolted along the Stanley Park seawall with passengers on board. The horses crossed a bike path, smashed a bench, and ran for approximately 100 metres. Multiple people were injured, including the driver who fell from the carriage.

Source: YouTube – CTV News footage of the incident.

Victoria – Downtown

2018: A horse-drawn carriage rolled back into a BC Transit bus that was following too closely. The impact caused both horses to fall and block traffic. They remained on the ground for over five minutes, and bystanders attempted to help, putting themselves at risk. Just months later, another carriage horse team was spooked and crashed into a parked car. Witnesses reported smashed windows and that the horses climbed onto the vehicle’s roof with their front hooves.

Source: YouTube video of the incident.

2023: A carriage horse tripped over a bike lane curb and fell after being spooked when its bridle caught on a railing following a tour. The driver was thrown from the carriage, which became stuck halfway in the bike lane, and sustained a minor cut to the head. 

Source: Times Columnist

2024: A carriage horse is spooked after an equipment malfunction, resulting in the driver losing control of the horse, who proceeds to run and buck through an intersection. Passengers jumped out of the carriage before the horse collapsed on the concrete.

Source: Saanich News article

Holiday Event Observations in Vancouver

In recent years, the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has monitored and documented several holiday events in Vancouver where horse-drawn carriages were used in busy commercial areas like Kerrisdale and Commercial Drive.

These events revealed patterns of concern, including:

  • Carriages turning across oncoming traffic at intersections
  • Loud and unpredictable noises (car alarms, ambulance sirens, music, dogs, bikes)
  • Members of the public approaching horses without supervision
  • Horses operating dangerously close to moving traffic
  • Horses showing potential signs of stress or agitation (e.g. head shaking, bit chewing, pawing)

Source: VHS Youtube Compilation

Together, We Can Make a Difference

SIGN THE PETITION: Urge Vancouver City Council to protect the well-being and safety of horses and the public by prohibiting horse-drawn carriages from busy city streets.

TAKE ACTION

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Proposal to regulate mobile petting zoos in B.C. cites ‘distress’ for animals

A yellow Leopard gecko
Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@bang_gecko?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">verdian chua</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-and-white-lizard-on-brown-wooden-surface-68hC4vYTSFo?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>
  • Port Moody Councillor Kyla Knowles introduced a resolution at the UBCM calling for regulations on mobile live animal programs, citing animal welfare, zoonotic disease risks, and public safety.
  • The Vancouver Humane Society supports the resolution, highlighting the lack of minimum standards for animal care in mobile programs.
  • The resolution also urges the province to update the Controlled Alien Species Regulation to include stronger welfare protections and restrictions on exotic species transport, breeding, and display.

Read media coverage on the report and the VHS’s campaign below. Stay tuned for updates!

Proposal to regulate mobile petting zoos in B.C. cites ‘distress’ for animals

Proposal to regulate mobile live petting zoos in B.C. is based on animal welfare concerns, advocate says.

“It seems cruel to take these animals from event to event, from party to party,” said Knowles.

Knowles said the issue came to the city’s attention through public complaints about an operator who regularly made presentations at the city’s Golden Spike Days.

“This particular operator had exotic lizards, turtles and snakes. People and kids would line up and take their turns holding them, posing with them. It just seemed cruel to watch these animals being handed from one child to another,” said Knowles after observing the operator at an event.

“The resolution is about oversight and regulation. The problem is that there are independent, private, for-profit operators in this space, and we have no idea how they are being operated,” said Knowles.

Said Emily Pickett, campaign director of the Vancouver Humane Society: “We don’t know how many of these groups there are, that’s part of the problem.”

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