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Have your say: Cattle welfare survey

Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media

Photos: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media

  • The National Farm Animal Care Council’s (NFACC) Beef Cattle Code of Practice serves as a guideline for the care and handling of cows raised in Canada’s beef industry. 
  • The code of practice is up for review for the first time since 2013 and NFACC is seeking public input on what issues to consider when reviewing and updating the code.
  • The current code allows for many inhumane practices that compromise the welfare of cattle in the beef industry.  

Your input needed to identify top welfare issues

Can you take a moment to fill out the short survey and share your top 3 concerns you think NFACC should consider? The deadline to complete the survey is May 3, 2024.

  • Scroll down to read a few of the top welfare issues you may want to consider.
  • Share your top 3 priorities in the survey.
  • Please use your own words (do not copy and paste the wording below) and be respectful and constructive.
  • Feedback that includes duplicate responses and/or profanity or derogatory language will not be considered by NFACC. 

Take the survey

Top welfare priorities

Fear and stress

Chronic fear and stress throughout an animal’s life, as a result of harsh handling, on-farm procedures, separation of the cow and calf, etc., is a serious animal welfare and health concern. Stronger requirements around staff training and oversight (e.g. video monitoring, third party audits) are needed.

Painful procedures

Require pain medications for all painful procedures, regardless of the animal’s age.

Enrichment

Require enrichment opportunities that allow cattle to express natural behaviours, including foraging, exercise, social behaviour, and grooming. 

Weaning

Require a more gradual, natural weaning process for cows and calves to reduce stress.

Barren environments

Feedlots often lack appropriate space, grazing access, and shelter. Poor feedlot conditions are a serious health and welfare concern and can lead to lameness and disease.

Nutrition

Abrupt changes from a pasture diet to an unnatural high grain-based diet can cause serious digestive and nutritional issues.

Take the survey

Your voice makes a difference.

When the Dairy Cattle Code of Practice was updated, it received a record-setting 5,800+ comments! The strong public response during the public consultation prompted stronger restrictions around abusive handling, changes to housing models, and a ban on branding.

Now, cattle in the beef industry need your help too. Thank you for speaking up for farmed animals!

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FINAL House of Commons vote to ban live horse exports for slaughter

Photo: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition

Photos: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition

  • Each month, gentle draft horses are packed into crowded crates and shipped on cargo planes from Canadian airports to be slaughtered for meat.
  • Horses can legally go up to 28 hours without food, water, or rest.
  • Flights have resulted in injuries and death.
  • Bill C-355, which aims to ban the export of horses for slaughter, recently passed the Agriculture Committee and will move to its final vote in the House of Commons before going to the Senate.

Take action to ban the live horse export industry

TIP: For added impact, edit the template message below to personalize your email to decision-makers. See the Learn More section for additional talking points.

Learn more

Horses are suffering in Canada’s cruel live horse export industry, and Canadians are demanding change.

In 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau directed the Minister of Agriculture to ban the live export of horses for slaughter. Finally, in 2023, two bills were introduced to end the inhumane practice.

One of those bills, Bill C-355, has now passed the Agriculture Committee and will move onto its third and final reading and vote at the House of Commons.

Although only 22% of Canadians agree with the live export of horses, 43% of MPs voted NO to banning the practice at the bill’s previous reading. It is vital that we ensure decision-makers know that the well-being of horses is a priority for Canadians.

See how your MP voted previously and use the quick action on this page to ask your MP to vote YES to Bill C-355!

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Horse racing season to begin at deadly Hastings Racecourse

  • April 27th marks the beginning of live racing season at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver.
  • Last year, eight horses lost their lives at Hastings.
  • Horses used in racing events endure stress, pain, and risk to their lives due to the high-pressure events, aversive training methods, and the use of painful tools like whips and bits.
  • Horses who no longer generate a profit are at risk of being sent to auction, where they face further trauma and can end up on a slaughterhouse floor.

Can you take the pledge to boycott inhumane horse racing events and add your name in support of protecting horses?

Take pledge
2023 incidents

Take the pledge to say no to horse racing

By taking the pledge today, you will reflect your concern about recent race horse fatalities and incidents and to sign up to receive updates about the VHS’s upcoming horse racing campaign.

Learn more about the deaths of eight horses at Hastings Racecourse in 2023 here.

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Burmese python seized from Chilliwack home by B.C. conservation officers

Burmese python seized from Chilliwack home by B.C. conservation officers

The snake, one of the largest in the world, is illegal to possess in British Columbia

“Conservation officers have seized a nearly three-metre-long Burmese python from a home in Chilliwack.”

While this particular species of snake is illegal to keep in B.C., MANY other wild and exotic species are, in fact, legal to keep as pets. But wild and exotic animals, whether wild-caught or captive-bred, retain their complex social, physiological and behavioural needs that they would have in the wild. As a result, they can experience significant suffering when kept as pets.

The VHS has been calling on the B.C. government for better protections for wild and exotic animals. Add your name in support!

Read the article
Sign the petition
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Survey: Behaviours, interests, and values around animal well-being

The Vancouver Humane Society commissioned a Research Co. poll of British Columbia residents. This survey will help to effectively raise awareness on the care and well-being of animals and advocate for changes to prevent animal suffering.

Key survey findings:

Most British Columbians care for at least one companion animal in their household.

Most British Columbians are interested in the following topics:

  • Recommendations around interacting with and protecting wildlife (66%)
  • Welfare concerns around farmed animals (61%)
  • How to care for pets (e.g. grooming, food) (60%)
  • Welfare concerns around animals in captivity in zoos and aquariums (60%)
  • How to train pets (e.g. techniques, positive vs. negative reinforcement) (57%)

The results of this survey are available to animal service organizations and interested members of the public to:

  • Understand current public behaviours and attitudes around animal well-being
  • Determine the most popular topics surrounding animal well-being and advocacy
  • Determine the most effective platforms to reach members of the public regarding animal topics

The results are based on an online study conducted from February 9 to February 11, 2024, among 801 adults in British Columbia.

Download the raw excel data
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UPDATE: Support major changes to protect farmed animals in B.C.

New report recommends major changes to protect farmed animals in B.C. Add your name in support!

Following growing concerns about the state of farmed animal welfare in B.C., a committee tasked with reviewing the province’s farmed animal welfare framework has presented its recommendations to the Ministry of Agriculture. Join the VHS in urging decision-makers to prioritize next steps!

Take action

Learn more

Take action to protect farmed animals

Use the template message below to call on B.C.’s Premier and the Minister of Agriculture to take specific actions that build on these recommendations and to prioritize their implementation to meaningfully protect farmed animals from egregious cruelty and suffering.  

Live outside of Canada? You can email B.C.’s Premier at premier@gov.bc.ca and the Minister of Agriculture at AF.Minister@gov.bc.ca

Agriculture Ministry listening after years of welfare issues

In B.C. alone, near-annual undercover investigations over the last decade have revealed serious and systemic welfare issues within the animal agriculture industry. 

In late 2022, B.C.’s Ministry of Agriculture launched a review of the province’s farmed animal welfare framework. This week, a Ministry advisory committee released a new farmed animal welfare recommendations report that will be considered by the Ministry as part of the review. 

The report’s recommendations include a new government-funded inspection and enforcement function within the Ministry of Agriculture, which would take over responsibility for implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act with respect to farmed animals. Other recommendations include providing an annual public report around enforcement activities; an expanded range of enforcement options and penalties; animal welfare and humane handling training improvements; and continued support for the inclusion of farmed animals in emergency planning.  

Learn more about the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture’s farmed animal welfare framework review and the advisory committee’s recommendations report. 

Learn more

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Podcast: How animals touch our lives

Do you remember that one animal who touched your heart in a way that you’ll hold dear for a lifetime?

For many animal allies, our personal connections with animals have shaped the way we see the world and advocate for compassion. In this month’s episode of the Informed Animal Ally, the Vancouver Humane Society team and allies discuss animals who have changed their lives.

Table Of Contents
  1. Would you like to be featured in the next episode like this?
  2. Next episode

Would you like to be featured in the next episode like this?

You could be on the next episode about animals who touch our lives! If your story is selected, you will be contacted before the next stories episode and invited to share a short audio and video clip (about 2-5 minutes long) about an animal who has made a difference in your life.


Next episode

Please join us next month as we discuss the last ten years of farmed animal investigations in B.C.

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Reform B.C. dog laws: Stop arbitrary seizures & euthanasia

“BC’s animal control system is unaccountable and extremely difficult to navigate for the average citizen. Dogs can be accused, seized, detained in inappropriate conditions and destroyed by animal control officers at their own discretion. Municipal animal control authorities and the courts struggle to interpret and apply vaguely written provincial laws while dog guardians scramble to save their lives.”

Sign petition (B.C. residents only)

What if someone missed your companion dog’s warning cues and ended up with a bite? “Dangerous dog” laws in B.C. are vague and subjective, meaning the interpretation and enforcement of laws are often left up to individual officers. Dogs can be seized, detained, and euthanized as a result of these laws.

Rebeka Breder, an Animal Law Lawyer who has previously spoken on “dangerous dog” laws on the Vancouver Humane Society’s podcast, The Informed Animal Ally, says the system is “stacked against dogs and dog guardians”.

Learn more about “dangerous dog” laws

Take action to protect companion dogs

That’s why the creators of the documentary They Took My Dog have launched a petition to improve laws around “dangerous dogs”.

Sign the petition now to call on the B.C. government to provide transparency, accountability and oversight; clarity, humane reforms and fairness to dogs, guardians and the public; and to recognize that a dog’s best interests are worthy of consideration in all aspects.

Sign petition
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Recent law changes are a win for animals

Two recent changes to the law are recognizing animal well-being! 

At the federal level, a ban on cosmetic testing on animals took effect December 22, 2023. Under the new regulations, companies can no longer test cosmetics on animals in Canada or sell new cosmetic products that rely on animal testing to prove their safety. Canada joins more than 40 countries that have restricted or ended cosmetic animal testing. 

B.C. family law has also recognized companion animals’ safety, well-being, and place as part of thela family with a recent change. Family courts in the province will no longer treat pets as “property” in divorce and separation proceedings. This positive change “breaks new legislative ground for treating companion animals as valued family members,” said V. Victoria Shroff of Shroff Animal Law. 

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Veterinary assistance focusses on life-saving care to meet growing need

The volume of applications for life-saving care received by the McVitie Fund program, which covers urgent care for pets in need, consistently grows year after year. Given the growing demand for veterinary assistance, the VHS will be focussing all veterinary support funds to save the lives of animals in need of urgent care. The VHS has operated the McVitie fund for many years.

In 2021, the VHS launched, with the assistance of grant funding, the Helping People and Pets in Crisis (formerly known as Helping Women & Pets in Crisis), which helped people access the preventative veterinary care their pets needed to secure housing. This program did not receive continued funding. In order to ensure as many pets as possible can access the life-saving care they need through the McVitie Fund, the VHS’s Helping People and Pets program is now closed.

Throughout its years of operation, the VHS’ Helping People & Pets in Crisis program provided preventative veterinary care for pets of those who do not have a permanent place to live. This includes those who are sheltering outside, those fleeing violence, and those staying in temporary shelters, transition homes, and recovery houses.

During these times of transition and precarity, the program’s applicants frequently reported having little or no income to rely on. They faced financial barriers in accessing the mandatory veterinary care needed to secure a space in a shelter or permanent housing, such as having their pet spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and free of fleas. Helping People & Pets in Crisis covered the full cost of this care so that pets could remain with loving guardians despite unpredictable circumstances.

In total, the program made it possible for 313 guardians to access shelter or permanent housing and for 360 pets to stay united with their beloved companions. The program provided 181 spays/neuters, 228 vaccinations, 62 deworming treatments, and 64 flea treatments.

However, for a small non-profit, operating two veterinary assistance programs presents genuine challenges. The volume of applications for life-saving care received by the McVitie Fund Program consistently grows year after year. After careful deliberation and exploring alternatives, the VHS ended the Helping People & Pets in Crisis Program effective December 31st, 2023. While it was a very difficult decision, this will enable the VHS to continue to provide as much financial support as possible through the McVitie Fund to save pets’ lives and keep them together with their families.

The VHS’s team is proud of the work the Helping People & Pets in Crisis Program has accomplished, and grateful for the generous donations that enabled hundreds of people to find housing with their beloved pets.

Could you donate to help the VHS’s McVitie Fund program continue providing life-saving care for animals?