To many people, a day at the rodeo, a night at the races, a holiday carriage ride, or an exotic pet show seem like harmless family fun. But to animal allies who understand the realities that horses, calves, reptiles, and other animals face behind the scenes, the scene is much more sombre.
Animals used for entertainment are often transported in cramped, barren conditions, displayed in noisy, unfamiliar environments, and are subjected to the use of painful tools like bits, spurs, and flank straps. They are not given the choice to live their lives as they wish and express their natural behaviours; for some animals, almost every moment of their lives is controlled by the people who profit off of them.
That is why the Vancouver Humane Society continues to speak up for animals used for entertainment. With your support, the VHS is working to expose harm, gather evidence, and urge decision-makers to introduce policies that better protect animals.
Rodeos
The VHS is documenting and exposing animal welfare concerns at B.C. rodeos, gathering evidence of the ways animals are forced into frightening, chaotic environments, and submitting cruelty complaints where appropriate. This year we are closely monitoring two rodeos that have a history of concerning treatment and hold those who cause animal suffering accountable. Stay tuned for advocacy opportunities when we develop a report using years of evidence to call for an end to public funding of rodeos and stronger provincial regulations.
The VHS is also continuing to speak out about the Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races. A recent change to Alberta’s Animal Protection Act introduced stricter rules around animal cruelty but, despite advocacy from the VHS’s Albertan supporters, included an explicit loophole for rodeo and chuckwagon events that leaves these animals vulnerable. In 2026, the VHS will continue speaking up for animals used in the Stampede’s events so they are not left behind. The advocacy team will support We Animals Media in getting access to document the realities animals face behind the scenes, collaborate with Calgary advocates, monitor for unreported injuries and fatalities, expose incidents with nationwide media coverage, share information through a public campaign, and urge decision-makers to support an end to rodeo and chuckwagon events.
Horse racing
On the heels of a recent decision to shut down operations at Vancouver’s controversial and risky Hastings Racecourse, the VHS advocated for a safe retirement for horses and continues to raise awareness about the inherent risk and stress associated with horse racing.
Exotic animal shows
Another major focus is wild and exotic animals whose natural needs and behaviours are denied as they are transported for display in events, expos, and television. The VHS will be a compassionate set of eyes at exotic animal events in 2026, filing cruelty complaints when animals are harmed and raising awareness about how animals used in these situations face fear and stress. That evidence will be used to advocate for stronger regulations to protect these vulnerable animals.
This work builds on recent momentum, including Port Moody’s mobile live animal program ban, a B.C.-wide exotic cat ban, and ongoing discussions around stronger regulation of exotic animal keeping, breeding, transport, and public display.
Horse carriages
The VHS is also raising concerns about the well-being and safety of horses used for carriage rides. An ongoing campaign calls for an end to horses being forced to pull carriages in stressful urban environments.
Animals forced into entertainment industries can show us they are uncomfortable and afraid, but they cannot ask for a different future. With your help, the VHS continues to speak up for them.
Your support helps to expose and end the suffering of animals exploited for spectacle. Together, we can move toward a future where animals are respected for who they are, not what they can be made to do.