Excelsior Hog Farm is in the news again after disturbing new undercover footage, allegedly filmed at the Abbotsford farm between April and June 2023, was released by Animal Justice.
The footage shows:
cruel handling practices, including pigs being kicked in the stomach and face, and struck with metal rods and plastic boards;
injured pigs with hernias, pressure sores, open wounds and leg injuries; and
filthy conditions, including dead and rotting bodies of pigs and partially eaten bodies of piglets, and floors caked in feces and what appears to be blood and feces in some water troughs.
Call for meaningful action to protect farmed animals, including:
Government-mandated and proactively enforced farmed animal welfare regulations;
Publicly available reports of independent, third-party audits on farms and in slaughterhouses, including consistent video surveillance monitoring for real transparency; and
Appropriate deterrents to prevent animal cruelty, including unannounced inspections and effective penalties for industry stakeholders who are found guilty of animal cruelty.
Fill out the form below to send this important message to your Member of B.C.’s Legislative Assembly (MLA), B.C.’s Premier, and B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture.Feel free to personalize the message.
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
Not the first time Excelsior accused of cruelty
This comes after a previous undercover investigation at the farm in 2019, which also showed concerning on-farm conditions and treatment of pigs. The footage included clips of dead and dying pigs in unsanitary conditions and cruel handling, including piglets being castrated without the use of painkillers.
Despite this evidence, the farm’s owners were never charged or held accountable. Instead, two advocates involved in a peaceful protest and sit-in that took place on the farm, have been convicted and face jail time. Both are appealing their convictions.
Second major undercover investigation in B.C. this year
While the animal agriculture industry attempts to suggest instances like this are the exception to the rule and don’t represent the industry as a whole, the reality is that numerous investigations over the years have revealed widespread animal cruelty and welfare issues on farms and in slaughterhouses.
In February 2023, undercover footage from a Pitt Meadows-based slaughterhouse, Meadow Valley Meats, showed animals being hit, kicked and thrown to the ground; inhumane use of an electric prod; frightened animals crowding together in the hallways and panicked attempts to escape; and improper slaughter techniques that led to significant animal suffering.
Like Excelsior Hog Farm, this was not the first incident involving the company. Media reports that the company, formerly called Pitt Meadows Meats, pled guilty in 2015 to selling E. Coli-tainted meat and after the plant manager knowingly decided not to recall it.
The new footage, along with the many other previous undercover investigations in B.C., make it clear that there are serious, systemic issues across the animal agriculture industry.
Excelsior Hog Farm in Abbotsford is once again under scrutiny after new footage depicting horrific animal suffering was released by Animal Justice, revealing:
dead and rotting pigs, including piglets whose carcasses were partially eaten;
crushed and stillborn piglets inside crates;
pigs kicked in the stomach and face;
pigs jabbed with a metal rod and hit with plastic boards;
pigs with hernias, prolapses, blood laceration and open wounds; and
water troughs that appear to be filled with feces and blood.
The footage appears to “show some violations of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, potentially the Criminal Code and without a doubt violations of industry’s own subscribed national codes of practice,” according to the BC SPCA.
Content warning: The video accompanying this article contains censored (blurred), disturbing footage.
Vancouver Humane Society is partnering with The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary this Giving Tuesday to make life better for animals!
Between now and November 28, you can donate directly to our joint campaign. We are also looking for businesses and individuals to support this campaign through matched giving donations. Check out our sponsorship package for more details.
Every supporter that donates towards the Giving Tuesday campaign will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win one of four prizes: a $25 gift card to The Burrow, a $50 gift card to Vegan Supply, a $100 gift card to Wild Jasmine Apothecary, or a prize package of five classes at both Lagree West and RIDE Cycle Club.
In 2023, the welcomed Noodles, a 2-week-old goat who suffers from a neurological disorder, a goat named Percy, and three chicks. Inflation has had a huge effect on Happy Herd’s costs this year. Hay has doubled in price, and previously donated produce is now being charged for. Rising costs of gas have pushed hoof trimming and shearing services up by 25% since last year. Happy Herd has even lost access to straw that had typically been donated from movie sets due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes, creating an unexpected additional expense for the sanctuary.
Your generous support of this campaign will have a lasting impact on the lives of the animals who call The Happy Herd home.
Since 1984, the Vancouver Humane Society has been supporting individuals, organizations, and governments to take action for the welfare and rights of animals influenced by human activities. Whether advocating against rodeo cruelty, providing emergency vet funds for companion animals in low income homes, offering resources to help people and businesses choose plant-based options, or lobbying for policies that minimize harm to animals, VHS is dedicated to ending animal suffering in all forms. All donations to VHS will go directly toward vital programs and advocacy work in order to create a kinder world for all animals.
Thank you so much for your support of both of our organizations!
Panago – On Tuesday, November 28th, Panago locations across BC will offer $15 large plant-based pizzas when you use the coupon code PLANT15. $1 from every plant-based pizza sold will be donated to the VHS and Happy Herd Giving Tuesday Campaign. Panago has also committed to match donations made to the Giving Tuesday Campaign up to $2000!
Sprouted Oven– will be donating 3% of their sales on Giving Tuesday.
The Burrow– will be donating a gift card for a Giving Tuesday prize draw.
Vegan Supply – will give customers the option to add a donation to the VHS and Happy Herd on November 28th. All customers that donate $5 or more at Vegan Supply will be entered into a prize draw to win a $50 Vegan Supply gift card. Vegan Supply is also donating a gift card for a Giving Tuesday prize draw for all those that donate via the VHS.
Vegan Yarn – will be donating 25% of their sales on Giving Tuesday.
How animal service leaders can improve outcomes with trauma-informed care
Join the Vancouver Humane on Wednesday, November 22nd at 9:00 am PDT for an enlightening 60-minute webinar on trauma-informed leadership in animal services organizations.
This event has ended. Sign up for the free training program:
Anyone who would like to learn about the role of animal service leadership in introducing a trauma-informed approach in their organization is welcome to attend! This webinar is designed for all board members in animal services including:
Humane societies;
Shelters;
Rescues; and
Other nonprofits.
Free webinar by the Vancouver Humane Society: Watch the replay
This webinar from the Vancouver Humane Society sheds light on the ways leaders can integrate trauma-informed care into their organizations to positively impact the animals they serve, the well-being of the people who care for them, and the staff who interact with both animals and clients.
Find out how board members can integrate trauma-informed care in animal services…
During this conversation, panelists will share their experiences and insights, shedding light on the ways leaders can integrate trauma-informed care into their organizations to positively impact the animals they serve, the well-being of the people who care for them, and the staff who interact with both animals and clients. Panelists will explore topics including:
How can a board ensure that trauma-informed principles are integrated into the organization’s governance structure and decision-making processes?
What steps can an organization take to ensure that trauma-informed care is integrated into the organization’s mission, values, and long-term strategic planning?
How can an organization approach decision-making to ensure that it is inclusive, equitable, and reflective of diverse experiences and needs?
How does your organization prioritize staff mental health?
What is your approach to HR from a trauma-informed lens?
What measures has your organization taken to promote equity within its leadership and governance structures?
Attendees who stay until the end will be entered in a draw for a $100 donation to their organization.
Meet the panelists
Amy Morris
Executive Director, Vancouver Humane Society
Amy (she/her) is settler of Slovakian, Dutch, German and British ancestry. Amy resides and recreates on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, sḵwx̱wú7mesh, & sel̓íl̓witulh Nations, currently known as Vancouver and Squamish. Amy joined VHS in early 2020. Amy volunteers as the President of the Board of Directors for the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Simon Fraser University with a thesis focused on regulating dog breeding to improve well-being and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Concordia University with a specialization in Business. Amy has wide experience in the animal protection movement, campaigning for policy changes at the municipal, provincial and federal levels to curtail animal exploitation. Amy shares her life with Clover, a collie mix who guides their day to day adventures.
Danielle George
Director, Vancouver Humane Society
Danielle George (she/her) is originally from Kansas, USA and is a recent immigrant to Canada, though she fell in love with the PNW years ago. She’s got a degree in sociology with an emphasis on human sexuality and has been working with people in a wide variety of fields from door-to-door campaigning to leading studies exploring sexual behaviours to working at shelters at the DTES. Some of her favourite work involves breaking down systems and helping people digest them from different perspectives so each aspect can be really evaluated on if it’s serving the intended purpose, if not, what supports are needed to get it there, or asking if it is the system or the goals themselves that need restructuring. Danielle has been passionate about creating and finding community in Vancouver, especially within Black & mixed race, Queer, fat-positive, and liberation-focused spaces.
Newly released footage from several B.C. rodeos reveals recurring animal welfare issues, including animals being hit, kicked, and having their tail and ears twisted and pulled.
New polling shows growing public opposition to the use of animals in rodeo events. 65% of B.C. residents and 67% of Canadians are opposed to the practice.
Use the VHS’s quick action tool to share this new footage with your city council and B.C.’s Minister of Tourism and to call for a rodeo bylaw and an end to using taxpayer dollars to fund inhumane rodeo events.
Use the VHS’s quick action tool below to share this new footage and call for:
A municipal bylaw prohibiting inhumane rodeo events in your community;
An end to BC government funding of rodeo events.
Watch the footage
Footage from the Princeton, Chilliwack, Armstrong and Merritt rodeos reveals recurring animal welfare issues. In the videos, stressed animals are roughly handled, deliberately agitated into fleeing and bucking, and put at risk of serious injury. Clips show animals being roped around the neck; thrown and wrestled to the ground; and kicked with spurs. Animals are seen being hit and kicked; having their tail and ears twisted and pulled. Frightened animals run into fences, thrash in the chutes, and resist handlers.
The VHS continues to raise concerns about B.C.’s horse racing industry following this year’s eighth horse fatality at Hastings Racetrack and a separate incident that resulted in the injury of another horse.
On October 14th, a two-year old horse named Skysablazing was euthanized following a complete open fracture to the left front leg sustained during a race at Hastings Racecourse. Skysablazing’s death marks the eighth horse fatality at Hastings this year.
On October 19th, a two-year old horse named Wannabeabigstar stumbled and fell during a harness race at Surrey’s Fraser Downs Racetrack, resulting in a collision with another two-year old horse named Outlawstaythcourse. Wannabeabigstar sustained injuried to his knees and was receiving ongoing treatment as of October 31, when B.C.’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) responded to the VHS’s inquiry about the condition of the horses.
Following the spate of recent horse fatalities and incidents, along with the welfare issues associated with aversive training in the horse racing industry, the VHS is encouraging the public to pledge to not attend horse races.
Incident details
See the most recent horse racing incident that took place at Surrey’s Fraser Downs racecourse.
Race horse fatalities at Hastings Racecourse in 2023:
On July 16, a five-year old horse named One Fifty One was euthanized after being injured during a race.
On July 22, a three-year old horse named Lent Me Twenty died after falling backward and hitting her head prior to a race.
On July 30, a four-year old horse named Memorandum was euthanized after sustaining a traumatic injury during a race.
On August 6, a five-year old horse named Eddie Who died after falling during a workout.
On August 7, a four-year old horse named Lil Miss Intaglio was euthanized after presenting with symptoms of colic (gastrointestinal distress) on September 5. Despite treatment, her condition worsened and she was subsequently euthanized.
On August 22, a five-year old horse named Indy Go Gold was euthanized after sustaining a catastrophic injury of his right hind leg during a timed workout.
On September 16, a two-year old horse named Shadesofriogrande died after escaping the stable area at the racecourse and running into a wall.
On October 14th, a two-year old horse named Skysablazing was euthanized following a complete open fracture to the left front leg.
Media coverage
You can read and watch more about this year’s incidents and responses from the public and the Vancouver Humane Society in the following news outlets:
‘There were eight horse deaths at Hastings Racecourse last year,’ the Vancouver Humane Society said. ‘We’re now already at another eight deaths at Hastings Racecourse this year.’
The Vancouver Humane Society is raising alarm bells after eight horses lost their lives at Hastings Racecourse this year. The most recent death was that of two-year-old Skysablazing, who was euthanized after suffering a catastrophic injury during a race on October 14th.
“Skysablazing suffered a complete open fracture to her leg, which means the bone is exposed,” VHS Communications Director Chantelle Archambault told Global News. “It’s quite devastating to imagine the pain and the fear these horses experience in the moments before their death.”
“These horses are facing stress and risks to their lives at every stage of this process, including aversive training techniques [and] the use of painful tools like whips and bits that are meant to strictly control their movements.”
The B.C. Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch also reported eight racehorse deaths last year. The VHS is asking that the public consider the serious, recurring welfare issues in the horse racing industry when deciding which events to support – and to choose other activities that don’t put animals in harm’s way.
Join the VHS for an exciting online auction this fall!
There are more than 100 items available to bid on in the online auction, all generously donated by local businesses.
Some of the incredible gifts donated by local businesses
The auction will run from October 16-23.
There’s something for everyone in the auction, including: treats for your furry companion, vegan beauty and skincare products, and delicious plant-based restaurant gift cards! The silent auction is the perfect place to purchase unique holiday gifts for loved ones or to treat yourself to something special, and all for a good cause.
This year’s auction aims to raise $11,000 and we can’t do it without you! All proceeds from the auction will go towards the VHS’ work to advocate for animals.
Speak up for horses: Support two new federal bills calling for a ban on the cruel live horse export industry!
Action: Send a message to federal decision-makers
Use the email template below to send a personalized message to your Member of Parliament, the federal Minister of Agriculture and the Prime Minister, asking them to act to end the export of live horses for slaughter.
Note: If you live outside of Canada and want to take action, you can email the Prime Minister at: PM@pm.gc.ca and the Minister of Agriculture at: aafc.minister-ministre.aac@agr.gc.ca
Two new bills aim to protect horses
Two new bills aim to ban the controversial practice of exporting live horses from Canada for slaughter abroad. Senate Bill S-270, the Horse Protection Act, was introduced by Senator Pierre Dalphond and singer-songwriter Jann Arden, while private member’s bill C-355 was introduced in the House of Commons by Liberal MP Tim Louis.
These bills come more than a year and a half after the Prime Minister directed the federal Minister of Agriculture to ban the practice. Yet since then, thousands of live draft horses have been loaded onto planes, packed tightly with 3-4 horses per crate, and flown abroad where they will be slaughtered for meat.
These two new bills present a crucial opportunity for the federal government to follow through on their promise to ban live horse export for slaughter once and for all. Use the quick action tool below to urge decision-makers to prioritize a ban before the next federal election.
The Vancouver Humane Society is pleased to announce its strategic plan for 2024-2028!
This document was assembled through the thoughtful feedback of animal advocates in last year’s annual planning survey, insights into the most impactful animal protection actions over the past five years, and analysis of the direction that animal advocacy and programs are moving.
After an in-depth planning process, the VHS has announced the following strategic priorities for the next five years:
Systems change: Influence change in the policies and practices of businesses and government to reduce animal suffering, deconstructing systems of domination and oppression.
Helping individuals: Support people in caring for animals.
Individual change: Create a culture grounded in care and compassion, supporting attitude and behaviour change that promotes animal wellbeing.
