2,867 individuals used the quick action tool to send a message to the Greater Vancouver Zoo. After the zoo refused to take action to improve life for the animals it currently holds while working toward ending the keeping of captive animals for the sake of public entertainment, VHS launched a campaign calling for a change to provincial regulations.
Animals at the Greater Vancouver Zoo are living lives of boredom and frustration, according to our report.
The report, commissioned by VHS from Zoocheck, found that many animals at the zoo are living in barren, under-sized cages and enclosures that restrict them from engaging in natural behaviours.
The report also says the zoo does not provide adequate behavioural enrichment for the animals. (Behavioural enrichment involves providing animals with a stimulating environment that allows natural activities such as climbing, foraging or digging and also creates physical and cognitive tasks that simulate challenges animals would find in their natural environment.)
We’re calling on the zoo to:
develop a comprehensive environmental/behavioural enrichment program for all its animals.
stop keeping animals that aren’t suited to B.C.’s climate and those it cannot accommodate in a way that better meet their physical, psychological and social needs.
remove or enlarge inadequate, undersized cages.
In the longer term, we think the zoo should stop keeping exotic animals and transition toward becoming a sanctuary for native species.
Please join us in sending a message to the Greater Vancouver Zoo that it needs to improve life for the animals it currently holds while working toward ending the keeping of captive animals for the sake of public entertainment.
This action has now ended
2,867 people used this tool to send an email to decision-makers. Thank you for taking action!
Next month we’ll be teaming up with a will writing service to offer our supporters aged 55 and over a unique opportunity to make a will (if you haven’t already) or revise your current will, for free!
The Vancouver Humane Society is participating in Free Wills Month, a campaign that allows you to provide for your loved ones and make a significant contribution to charity, if you choose to do so. There is absolutely no obligation to include a charity in order to participate, however, it’s our hope that you might use this opportunity to let your love of animals live on by helping us to continue our work.
How it works
The campaign pays for simple wills. If your will is more complex, you can pay the participating lawyer for the extra work.
If you’d like to participate or for more information, you can call 888-337-2884 or go to the free wills website – www.freewillsmonth.ca to register. You can contact one of the law firms listed on the website anytime during October to request an appointment. And although the campaign runs from October 1 to October 31, your will does not need to be completed in that timeframe – as long as you have booked an appointment during the month.
How gifts in Wills make a difference
Without the kind gifts that supporters like you leave us in their will, we simply couldn’t be there for all of the animals who need us. Bequests make up two thirds of our fundraising income, allowing us to continue helping animals long into the future.
By remembering us in your will you ensure the animals are not forgotten.
Thank you for your support.
How will my health be protected when dealing with the participating lawyers?
All of the lawyers taking part in the campaign have arrangements in place to conduct interviews with clients safely while the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Do you run Free Wills Month every year?
We encourage our supporters to take advantage of this special opportunity in 2020, should you wish to create or update your will. Although VHS has been participating in Free Wills Month for the past few years, as our organization evolves we may discontinue this campaign in the future.
For any further questions please email our Development Director Claire Yarnold at: claire@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca or call 604-266-9744.
18-month-old bull mastiff Taiga, is a growing pup full of energy. She recently tore her CCL (cranial cruciate ligament) whilst running up the staircase at her family home and urgently needs surgery to fix it.
The total cost of Taiga’s surgery and follow-up medication is estimated at $2,570; an amount none of us can imagine suddenly having to spend. Taiga’s owner Susan, is on disability and is struggling to find the funds for her surgery. That’s why she reached out to VHS for financial assistance from the McVitie Fund.
She is my emotional comfort animal and helps me cope with a chronic nerve pain medical condition. Sometimes I think Taiga is human. She is very funny and one of her quirks is sitting on the sofa like a person.
Susan, Taiga’s loving dog mom
Taiga is a huge part of Susan’s life. You can help keep this paw-some pair together by making a donation today to help cover the cost of Taiga’s CCL surgery. Thanks to an anonymous matching grant donor, your donation will also be doubled!
Andrew and his son moved into his home seven years ago and was greeted by a grey cat that the previous tenants left behind. His family quickly formed a bond with the cat and decided to call him Mr. Earl.
He immediately took to me and slept on my bed every night and was so happy he had someone to care for him and snuggle with. Recently he has found a new favourite place which he really loves – hanging out with my son in his room and watching TV. They have become best friends.
Andrew, Mr. Earls guardian
Andrew recently contacted VHS as Mr. Earl had gotten out of the house and arrived back in rough shape, his left hind leg appearing broken.
He’s been hiding under a table in my son’s room and we can’t get close to him because he squeals and hisses when we get near. He’s not eating, drinking or using the litter box. He is in a lot of pain.
Andrew and his family found Mr. Earl hiding under a table in pain
Andrew was laid off four months ago due to Covid-19. A roofer for more than 20 years, Andrew and his son needed some support for Mr. Earl.
I have never asked for help before because I know there are people less fortunate than myself, but recently I have been struggling and this is why I have to ask. We love Mr. Earl more than anything and it would be heartbreaking if he left us. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for the support of our kitty.
Our McVitie Fund, generously funded by supporters like you, helped pay for Mr. Earl’s surgery for his broken leg at the end of July. But 10 days after his surgery, the wound site became extremely infected and there was a need for a second procedure to remove infected tissue from inside his stitches.
Mr. Earl’s two procedures totaled more than $700. Will you help cover the cost of his care by making a donation to our McVitie Fund today?
July 16, 2020 – Covert citizen footage taken at an egg farm at the 32000 block of Huntingdon Road in Abbotsford, BC shows egg-laying hens being loaded on trucks destined for Superior Poultry Processors slaughterhouse in Coquitlam, BC. One of the workers is seen wearing an ELITE Farm Services safety vest.
MORE ANIMAL ABUSE CAUGHT ON VIDEO AT ABBOTSFORD EGG FARM
Video taken on July 15, 2020 shows severe animal cruelty at an egg farm on the 32000 block of Huntingdon Road in Abbotsford, B.C. The disturbing footage shows workers callously throwing spent egg-laying hens into crates, grabbing the chickens by a single leg or wing. One of the workers is seen wearing an ELITE Chicken Catching Services shirt.
Unedited longer video clips can be viewed here and here.
The witness who took the new video said, “the chickens were being flung into crates head-first,” “some were thrown in cages by their wings and many thrown in by one leg. I saw workers close the crate lids on the necks and limbs of these poor birds.”
After reviewing the footage, Veterinarian Dr. Nadine Meyer stated, “improper handling of chickens, as seen here several times, may result in injuries ranging from bruises and head trauma (concussions), to fractured bones or dislocated joints.”
Sadly, this is not the first time Elite Farm Services Ltd. has been caught abusing animals. In June 2017, Elite was the subject of a video exposé after a whistleblower of animal rights group Mercy For Animals filmed employees stomping on live birds, ripping conscious chickens apart and violently slamming others against crates & walls. CTV coverage can be viewed here.
Additionally, Elite was associated with another animal cruelty investigation at a different Abbotsford egg farm in 2018. Media coverage for the story can be found here and here.
The company was charged with 38 counts of unlawfully harming chickens related to the 2017 Mercy For Animals investigation. Their pre-trial conference was in New Westminster Thursday August 13, 2020. There will be a preliminary inquiry on September 28 and Elite is scheduled to be tried by Jury in January 2021.
“In 2017, Mercy For Animals exposed egregious animal abuse by Elite Farm Services, with chickens having their limbs torn off and being tossed around like footballs, slammed into objects and hit and kicked,” said Leah Garcés, president of Mercy For Animals. “It’s very concerning that this new footage suggests the company, which still has charges pending for its beating and loading of chickens in the prior case, apparently has not done enough to stamp out rough handling and callous treatment of animals.”
“Hens have weak bones by the end of lay. As a result, there is a high risk of bone fractures when hens are handled prior to transport (2). Care in handling, such as catching end-of-lay hens by both legs rather than one, reduces bone breakage (8). If layer hens are carried by one leg only, there is a greater chance of birds suffering from fractures and hip dislocations.”
“All parties involved in the catching and transporting process have a responsibility and obligation to ensure catching, transfer, and holding on-farm is undertaken in such a manner that minimizes stress and injury.”
“Birds must be placed in transport containers gently…”
-ends-
VHS is monitoring the situation and will comment further as details emerge. Media coverage can be seen here.
Sweet Duko was taken into the loving care of owner Denise after being surrendered by his previous owner when they became homeless.
When we first took Duko in we were not given any information on his health. We kept asking the previous owner but didn’t receive an answer. Finally, we got him signed over at his vet and we found out that he has a past of seizures and his teeth were also in bad shape.
Denise, Duko’s guardian
Duko needed 14 teeth removing, along with blood work and x-rays.
These procedures cost $1,300 and left me struggling financially with other things, but he was better which made it worth it.
This July, Denise noticed a swelling on Duko’s jaw and he started getting a fever so she took him back to the vet. The vet found that Duko had an infection on his back tooth and had a few other loose teeth that would need to come out. He also needed his blood work taken again and x-rays after the extractions to ensure there were no further complications.
Even though he shows signs of tooth pain he is still such a sweetheart. He loves my two girls so much; he sees them as his pups. Being a single mom it’s been tough to save any kind of money. I am on disability assistance, but I do work a part time job two or three times a week. Duko really is a part of the family and we love him so much.
Denise and her daughters provided a loving home for Duko when he needed it most, and now they are trying to give him the very best life. That’s why they reached out to VHS for help from our McVitie Fund.
Could you make a contribution to help pay for Duko’s urgent dental work?
In 2016, horses pulling a tram full of tourists through Vancouver’s famous Stanley Park were spooked by traffic. The frightened animals bolted off the roadway, crossing a bike path and smashing a park bench before nearly taking the tram over the seawall.
Some tourists in Vancouver’s Stanley Park went for an unexpected ride after a pair of horses pulling a carriage were spooked during an anti-pipeline protest. The carriage was stopped for protesters when a car sounded a horn and scared the horses. The animals jumped the curb, pulling the carriage into a bench and throwing one woman off.
Fortunately, no horses or people were seriously hurt, however, such incidents could easily occur in the future. Stanley Park’s horse-drawn tram is a tragic accident waiting to happen.
Being surrounded by motor vehicle traffic forces horses to inhale toxic exhaust and causes them mental distress, which can make the animals unpredictable and potentially dangerous to park pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles. There are also concerns about traffic being slowed in the lane currently allocated to motor vehicles, leading to motorists unsafely passing the tram in the lane allocated to cyclists.
Many cities, including Montreal, have banned such vehicles. It’s time for Vancouver to do the same.
The Vancouver Humane Society and UBC Animal Justice have sent a letter to Park Board Commissioners calling on them to end the horse-drawn tram in Stanley Park and put the safety of the horses, cyclists, and motorists first.
You can help prevent a tragic accident from happening – sign the petition now.
The following advertisements are part of VHS’s Go Veg program, which focuses on educating and empowering individuals in making the transition toward a plant-based diet and vegan lifestyle.
Please help us share the “Go Veg” message by sharing the ads to your social media pages.
When you share, feel free to tag us on Facebook (@VancouverHumaneSociety), Instagram (@VancouverHumane) and Twitter (@VanHumane).
Just like our pets, farmed animals can think through problems and find solutions. Just like our pets, farmed animals deserve our kindness. Visit goveg.ca for more info.
Proffit the cat was rushed to the ER earlier this month when his owner Jacqui noticed he was having difficultly breathing. With a diagnosis of water in his lungs and congestive heart failure, he received emergency medical treatment and was kept in the clinic overnight for monitoring.
The bill was $2,100 and I had to borrow my friends credit card. I’ve been out of work because of a car accident and I’m on social assistance while I wait to apply for disability. I do have a part time job waiting for me, but it is closed due to Covid.
Jacqui, Proffit’s owner
Jacqui told us that Proffit has been in her life for the past 8 years and he is loved very much. She tries to do everything she can to ensure that he is well looked after. Proffit has since returned to the vet for further blood work and is now on medication for his heart failure.
He is doing better now and is happy at home, but he needs to visit the vet again for them to monitor how his meds are doing and to make sure his kidneys are okay with this medicine. It has also been recommended that he get a cardiac ultrasound to further assess his heart and ensure he’s on the correct long-term medication.
Proffit enjoying some love and affection
Our McVitie Fund helps keep animals like Proffit happy and healthy in the loving care of their owners. Unexpected veterinary bills can be financially and emotionally devastating for individuals struggling on little or no income.
Please help Proffit and Jacqui by making a donation today to support his recovery.
Tank is an active, athletic 3-year-old American bully/old English bully cross who means everything to her loving family.
My son was born with only half a heart and has had three open heart surgeries and a stroke all before he was two and a half years old. Tank lets us know when he is off and helps keep him calm when his brain can’t handle his environment. Though she is not a registered therapy dog, she is my son’s therapy dog and his protector.
Julie, Tank’s loving guardian
When Tank injured her left leg, her owner Julie was told that she would need emergency knee surgery to fix the injury, costing $4,000; an amount she knew their struggling family could not afford.
My husband was laid off in August 2019 and due to COVID-19 he has only just gone back to work. I have also been out of work since February, as I teach first aid and have to be very careful with our high risk son. We have depleted our savings and that makes this $4000+ surgery an impossibility without some help. My boys are doing a bottle drive and I am drumming up some sales from my knitting and crochet hobby, but without help from organizations like yours we will be unable to get the surgery done for a long time, and she would be in pain without it.
That’s where our McVitie Fund comes in. It is only because of generous supporters like you, that we are able to help Julie and Tank.
We are determined to keep loving, loyal Tank with her family. Can you help Tank by contributing towards the cost of her surgery?
