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Have your say: Canada’s Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines

Animals close-up photography. Horse Consultation. Four horses assembled your heads together.
  • In 2024, we asked for your help in completing a national survey that gathered top equine welfare concerns. Your voice was heard, and responses from this survey were used to create a draft Equine Code of Practice.  
  • The public comment period for the National Farm Animal Care Council’s (NFACC) Equine Code of Practice is now open until March 12, 2026  
  • The Equine Code of Practice provides a guideline for the on-farm care and handling of horses and donkeys raised in Canada.  
  • While this draft provides many much-needed updates to the Equine Code of Practice, there are still changes to be made to improve equine welfare. 
  • Note that the code does not include transport, such as the live export of horses for slaughter; it only includes on-farm practices and deciding if individual horses are fit for transport. 

TAKE ACTION: Join us in providing feedback on the draft code on the issues that are important to you; everyone can participate! 

Top welfare priorities
Tips for submitting
Submit your feedback 

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Top Welfare Priorities

We encourage you to read through the draft Equine Code of Practice and provide feedback on the issues that matter most to you if possible.

However, we have prepared the VHS’s top welfare priorities with section headers and tips for submitting your feedback if you are short on time and would like guidance. REMINDER: do not copy and paste the text below, as duplicate submissions will be ignored by NFACC.

Section 2: Facilities and Housing
Section 2.3.1 – Indoor space allowance

Comment on Requirements:

Tie-stalls should be banned, which keep animals tethered in one place and prevent them from moving freely, socializing, or behaving naturally, often leading to physical and mental health problems. (Popescu et al., 2019; Yngvesson et al., 2019).

Section 6: Loose Horse Management
Section 6.5.1 – Stocking density

Comment on Requirements

Currently, there are no requirements about how much space horses need or shelter access in feedlots or other similar environments. Clear minimum standards should be set, based on research, to give horses enough room, reduce stress, fighting, and injuries, and protect them from harsh weather.

Section 7: Husbandry
Section 7.1 – Turnout, social opportunities, and enrichment 

Comment on Requirements

Currently, there are no minimum requirements for turnout (giving equines free access to pasture or paddock), social opportunities, and enrichment in the draft code.

Turnout and enrichment allow horses to express natural behaviours and provide mental stimulation, including grazing, freedom of movement and social interaction.

Minimum requirements should include: 

Turnout: Horses should be allowed outside for at least 12 hours each day (Bell et al., 2001). They need enough space to move freely at their own pace and to get away from other horses if there is aggression.

Enrichment: Horses should have regular contact with other compatible horses, a variety of toys and feeding options, and opportunities to do natural things like rolling in pasture or using scent and scratching stations.

Section 7.2 – General behaviour and handling of horses

Comment on Recommended Best Practices

Horses are easily frightened and may react by bolting or becoming aggressive. To keep both people and horses safe, it should be a requirement to avoid loud noises, sudden movements, or other actions that could scare them.

Section 7.3 – Methods of identification

Comment on Requirements

Hot and freeze branding are painful and stressful for horses and can have lasting effects on their behaviour. Since there are safer ways to identify horses, like microchipping, branding should no longer be allowed. Instead, clear visual identification methods, such as coat markings, hair patterns, colour differences, scars, or properly fitted leg bands, should be used.

Section 8: Exercise & Training
Section 8.2 – Guidelines for training horses

Comment on Recommended Best Practices

It should be required to use the First Training Principles when training and handling horses (refer to Appendix L – Handling Horses and How Horses Learn).

Equestrians often use training methods that compromise equine welfare to achieve competition-related goals. Training horses should never harm their well-being and should match what they are physically and mentally able to do.

Using proven, humane training methods helps keep both horses and trainers safe and reduces problem behaviours.

Section 9: Reproductive Management
Section 9.5.4 – Weaning

Comment on Recommended Best Practices

It should be a requirement that foals are not weaned before 6 months of age, and when possible, weaning should wait until after 9 months. Gradual weaning helps reduce stress and supports healthy growth and development in young horses (Henry et al., 2020).

Section 10: Transport
Section 10.1 – Fitness for transport

Comment on Requirements

People who assess an animal’s suitability for transport should receive proper training, and their assessments should be recorded and documented so there are clear, reliable records.

Section 10.4 – Loading and unloading

Comment on Recommended Best Practices

Recommendations (a.), (b.), (c.), (d.), (e.) should be requirements given the high stress of loading and unloading for equines.

Section 10.4.2 – Post-transport management

Comment on Recommended Best Practices:

Horses may hide signs of pain when people are watching (Torcivia & McDonnell, 2020), so recently transported horses should be closely monitored for dehydration, injuries, colic, fever, or breathing problems, especially after long trips or when horses from different places have been mixed.

Comment on Recommended Best Practices:

There should be a recommended practice of video monitoring recently transported horses.

Section 11: Change or End of Career
Section 11.1 – Change or end of career

Comment on Requirements:

Every equine industry should have a transition plan for what happens to horses at the end of their working careers, and having this plan should be required for operation.

Section 12: Euthanasia
Section 12.2 – Methods of euthanasia

Comment on Requirements:

Euthanasia must be carried out in a way that causes no pain or fear, and horses must be made unconscious immediately.

Submit your feedback now!

Tips for submitting

To make your submission impactful, and to ensure that it is reviewed by NFACC, consider these tips before submitting your feedback:  

  • IMPORTANT: Do not copy and paste wording, as duplicate responses and/or profanity or derogatory language will not be considered by NFACC. 
  • Keep responses relevant to the draft code. Issues involving transportation, such as live horse export, will not be considered by NFACC.  
  • Provide references and examples whenever possible. 
  • Reference exact wording in the draft code that you would like to see changed and how you would like it changed  
  • Make it personal, the committee members are interested in how this code impacts you  
  • Consider looking through the submission form for formatting style before you begin drafting your feedback 
Thank you so much for taking the time to speak up for equids in Canada.
Submit your feedback now!
References

Bell R.A., Nielsen B.D., Waite K., Rosenstein D. & Orth M. (2001) Daily access to pasture turnout prevents loss of mineral in the third metacarpus of Arabian weanlings. Journal of Animal Science 79:142-1150.  

Henry, S., Sigurjónsdóttir, H., Klapper, A., Joubert, J., Montier, G., & Hausberger, M. (2020). Domestic foal weaning: Need for re-thinking breeding practices? Animals 10(2): 361. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020361  

Popescu, S., Lazar, E. A., Borda, C., Niculae, M., Sandru, C. D., & Spinu, M. (2019). Welfare quality of breeding horses under different housing conditions. Animals 9(3): 81. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9030081  

Torcivia, C., & McDonnell, S. (2020). In-Person Caretaker Visits Disrupt Ongoing Discomfort Behavior in Hospitalized Equine Orthopedic Surgical Patients. Animals 10(2): 210. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020210  

Yngvesson, J., Rey Torres, J. C., Lindholm, J., Pättiniemi, A., Andersson, P., & Sassner, H. (2019). Health and body conditions of riding school horses housed in groups or kept in conventional tie-Stall/Box housing. Animals 9(3): 73. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9030073 

Stay Informed. Help Animals.

Learn about farmed animal welfare in Canada and what you can do to help! Sign up now to get clear explanations, action alerts, and practical steps you can take when it matters most.  Click here to learn more.

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Support the Protecting Victims Act: Criminalize the distribution of animal sexual abuse images

  • Last week, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act.
  • This bill that moves to criminalize the distribution of animal sexual abuse images, while recognizing animals as victims and tools of coercive control.
  • These types images are not only acts of cruelty toward animals—they are also used to groom and exploit children and control victims.
  • This historic milestone was made possible through years of advocacy from Humane Canada (the federation of humane societies and SPCAs) and Member organizations.

TAKE ACTION: Use the quick message tool from Humane Canada to call on your MP to support the Protecting Victims Act.

Contact your MP

Take action

Violence against animals and violence against people are deeply connected, a reality that has left children, survivors, and animals without the protections they need. Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, is a crucial step forward that recognizes the violence link and takes action where it is urgently needed.

The bill criminalizes the distribution of animal sexual abuse images, material that has been used to groom, manipulate, and exploit children. It also expands protections for people whose animals are harmed or threatened as a form of coercive control, a tactic widely used in intimate partner violence and criminal harassment.

These measures close long-standing gaps in Canadian law and strengthen safety for the entire family unit.

But Bill C-16 is not yet law. For these protections to take effect, Parliament must pass the legislation. Your voice can help ensure that happens.

Contact your MP
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4 years later, renewed calls to end live horse export for slaughter 

Horses packed in a crate on the arport tarmac to be shipped overseas for slaughter
Photo: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition

Photos: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition

  • December 16, 2025 marks four years since the federal Liberal government promised to ban live horse export for slaughter, yet the commitment remains unfulfilled. 
  • In that time, more than 10,700 horses have been shipped on long, stressful overseas flights, destined for slaughter despite widespread public opposition. 
  • These grueling 20+ hour journeys where horses are confined in cramped crates have led to injuries, extreme exhaustion, miscarriages, and deaths. 
  • Bill C-355, introduced in 2023 to end live horse export for slaughter, passed the House of Commons but stalled in the Senate and died with the 2025 election. 
  • With one of the most vocal Senators who previously blocked the bill now retired, Canadians are calling on the federal government to finally keep its promise and end this inhumane industry for good. 

Take action!

Online

Remind decision-makers that this issue matters to you! Use the talking points below to send a message to your Member of Parliament and the federal Minister of Agriculture. 

Talking points

In person

Attend the candlelight vigil planned in Vancouver on Tuesday, December 16th at Vancouver City Hall – 453 W 12th Ave, 6PM – 7PM.

For more information, visit the Vancouver event facebook page and see the full list of vigils across Canada.

Vancouver vigil
All vigils in Canada

 

Tell your Member of Parliament and the Minister of Agriculture to prioritize an end to live horse export for slaughter 

Step 1

Use your postal code to find your MP’s contact information and include the federal Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Heath MacDonald. 

Find my MP

Agriculture Minister, Heath MacDonald: aafc.minister-ministre.aac@agr.gc.ca  

Step 2

Use the key points below to help you draft your email. Personalized emails are more impactful, so be sure to use your own words. 

Why you’re writing: 

  • Share that you’re a constituent of the Member of Parliament; 
  • That you’re writing regarding Canada’s inhumane practice of live horse export for slaughter; 
  • That it’s the four year anniversary of the federal government’s promise to end live horse export for slaughter; 
  • That you’re urging the government to follow through on this promise and end the practice once and for all.  

Why the issue matters to you: 

Consider sharing a few of key issues below that most concern you: 

  • Horses are loaded into crowded crates and flown on lengthy and stressful journeys overseas, destined for slaughter. 
  • Horses can legally go 28 hours without food, water, or rest – though investigations show many journeys exceed this already inhumane time limit.  
  • Deaths and injuries are commonplace, with investigations uncovering extreme exhaustion, miscarriages, and even deaths during and soon after the flights. For example, 21 horses died in 13 months between May 2023-June 2024. 
  • More than 10,000 horses have been sent to their deaths since the government promised to ban live horse export for slaughter. 
  • Polling shows a strong majority of Canadians are opposed to live horse export for slaughter. 

Reiterate your request: 

  • That you’re strongly urging them, as your elected representative and the Minister responsible for implementing a ban, to prioritize an end to live horse export for slaughter. 

Ask for a reply: 

  • Thank them for their consideration of your request and ask that they respond to you at their earliest convenience, as this issue is important to you. 
Send a message to your Member of Parliament & Minister of Agriculture

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TAKE ACTION: Support the B.C. government decision to end horse racing funding & call for a safe retirement plan for horses

  • In response to the provincial government announcing the end of government funding for horse racing, Hastings Racecourse has announced they will stop horse racing effective immediately.  
  • While there is industry pushback to the B.C. government’s announcement to end funding for horse racing, the decision did not happen in isolation.
  • This change follows decades of decline in revenue and public support and heavy reliance on public funding. 
  • Hastings Racecourse was the last active race track in B.C., meaning there is no more horse racing in the province.
  • Hastings has seen multiple fatalities in recent seasons, including three known horse deaths in 2025, four in 2024, and eight in 2023. Each loss is a reminder of the inherent risks horses face in the racing industry. 
Follow up with decision-makers

While incredibly grateful for this decision, the VHS recognizes the uncertainty it may create for workers and animals within the industry. The VHS urges the provincial government and industry stakeholders to ensure a just and compassionate transition plan, including: 

  • Support for workers in the horse racing industry faced with this transition; 
  • Safe, secure retirement and rehoming plans for horses. 

Join the VHS in extending our sincere gratitude to Minister Nina Krieger for her leadership in making this decision and encourage meaningful support for workers and animals transitioning away from horse racing. Use the VHS’s quick action tool below to send a letter to the Minister and your Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). 

The VHS recently spoke with CBC on this news. Click here to watch the interview!

Send a message
Watch CBC interview
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Union of B.C. Municipalities calls on province to regulate mobile live animal programs and strengthen exotic animal rules

  • The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), which represents local governments across B.C., recently voted to endorse resolution NR75 – Mobile live animal programs 
  • This resolution calls on the provincial government to regulate mobile live animal programs and to strengthen exotic animal rules. 
  • Mobile live animal programs, such as travelling petting zoos, presentations and displays, or exotic animal events where animals can be purchased, are connected to animal welfare concerns and public health and safety risks. 
  • 2,450 messages were sent to UBCM delegates in support of resolution NR75. Thank you to everyone that advocated for stronger protections for animals! 

What happens next?

  • This vote signals that this issue is important to municipalities across B.C. and that provincial leadership is needed to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of animals, people, and the environment. 
  • Resolutions endorsed by the UBCM must be acknowledged and responded to by the provincial government.  
  • Help us take the next step by telling the provincial government that this issue is important to you and requires provincial leadership! 

TAKE ACTION: Add your name to the VHS’s campaign asking the provincial government to take meaningful action on this issue by implementing the UBCM’s recommendations. 

Tell the B.C. government to act!
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Exotic animals are wild animals from other countries often imported to Canada through the exotic pet trade. These animals are not domesticated, even if bred in captivity, and their welfare can suffer when sold, bred, transported, or displayed. The exotic pet trade also poses risks to the environment and public health and safety.  

Animal welfare issues

Mobile live animal programs (MLAPs) can take many forms, including travelling petting zoos, presentations, and expos where animals can be purchased. They involve the transport of animals to a location for display, public entertainment, or sale to the public, and feature a variety of different animals.

MLAPs often include exotic animals—wild animals from other countries imported to Canada—such as spiders, snakes, lizards, and tortoises.    

Animals involved in MLAPs face many animal welfare risks, including:

  • Travel to and from events
  • The public handling of animals
  • Unregulated housing and breeding practices outside of events where they may face restricted movement due to lack of space
  • Limited behavioural opportunities
  • Abnormal social groupings, such as highly social animals being housed alone
  • Exposure to unnatural environmental conditions (lighting, temperature, substrate, sounds, odours)

Environmental risks

The accidental or intentional release of exotic pets (e.g. when pets are no longer wanted but a new home cannot be found for them) can introduce invasive species to our ecosystems. Some invasive species who have impacted our local ecosystems include the red-eared slider turtle, goldfish, and American bullfrog.  

Invasive species can threaten native wildlife, compromise habitats, and spread new diseases.   

Public health & safety concerns

While the risk of disease transmission is always present when interacting with exotic animals, MLAPs increase risk due to:

  • The number of animals and variety of species
  • High amount of close human contact
  • Difficulties in following hygiene protocols (if present)

These risks are particularly prevalent at events marketed to children.

The transportation and frequent handling of animals at these events presents a significant risk factor for stress, and stressed animals may also be more likely to bite or scratch, compounding risks of disease transmission and physical harm. 

Community impacts

Escaped or released animals and the surrender of unwanted exotic pets stress already overwhelmed shelters, rescues, and veterinary services, which may not have the resources and expertise to accommodate such a wide range of exotic species.

There have been many documented instances of escaped or released exotic pets in B.C. in recent years.

Outdated regulations leave exotic animals at risk

Currently, there are no provincial regulations in place that are specific to MLAPs and there is a lack of consistent and enforceable standards for keeping, breeding, displaying, and selling exotic pets.  

B.C.’s Controlled Alien Species Regulation (CASR), introduced in 2009, has banned ownership of more than 1,000 dangerous species like tigers and venomous snakes that pose a threat to people, property, and wildlife.

However, the CASR does not address animal welfare or disease risks, making many exotic species that suffer in captivity or can spread zoonotic diseases still legal to own and trade. 

UBCM resolution NR75 – Mobile Live Animal Programs calls on the B.C. government to:

  • Regulate mobile live animal programs to address animal welfare concerns and public health and safety risks; 
  • Update the Controlled Alien Species Regulation to equally prioritize animal welfare considerations alongside public safety and prohibit the import of all exotic species.

TAKE ACTION: Add your name to the call to action to show your support for this resolution!

ADD YOUR VOICE
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Time for change: tell Calgary’s new Mayor and Council to end rodeo and chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede

  • Nearly every year, animals continue to be injured or killed in dangerous rodeo and chuckwagon events at the Calgary Stampede.
  • At least 110 animals have died at the Calgary Stampede since 1986, an astonishing average of one death every 3.5 days of competition.
  • The Vancouver Humane Society is urging Calgary’s newly elected Mayor and Council to remove the chuckwagon races and rodeo events from the annual Stampede program.

TAKE ACTION:

Step 1: Tell Calgary’s NEW Mayor and Council to remove these inhumane and deadly animal events from the Stampede program. 

Step 2: Take the #SayNoToRodeo pledge to reflect your opposition to the use of animals in rodeo events.

Send a Message
Take the #SayNoToRodeo pledge
Learn More

Email Calgary’s Mayor and Council 

#SayNoToRodeo at the Calgary Stampede

Check out RodeoTruth.com for more information about the rodeo and chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede. This public awareness project is a collaboration between the Vancouver Humane Society and concerned Calgarians.  

To keep spreading the word about why the Calgary Stampede should buck inhumane animal events, follow RodeoTruth on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok and share the posts.

Image credit: Jo-Anne McArthur, We Animals

What happened at the 2025 Calgary Stampede?

  • A horse named Rider suffered a fracture to his left-front cannon bone during a chuckwagon race and was euthanized.    
  • Video clips show the risk of injury to animals, such as a steer who was flipped over and whose neck was repeatedly twisted. Last year, a steer used in steer wrestling was euthanized due to a serious neck injury. 
  • Footage also shows people at risk of injury, including children. 
  • Animals are hit and roughly handled. In one clip, a handler uses a rope to agitate a bull’s neck while another person behind the scenes calls the bull obscene names. 
  • Animals show signs of fear and stress, including widened eyes, tense open mouths, excessive salivation, thrashing in chutes, panicked behaviours, and resisting handlers. 

Content warning: The following footage shows a fatal incident and animals showing signs of stress and fear.   

Animals pay the price for “entertainment” at the 2025 Calgary Stampede

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Stress, suffering & risk of injury or death in rodeo events

  • Calf roping: Calves are chased, roped by the neck, abruptly stopped, and thrown to the ground, which can cause neck injuries, bruising, and stress. 
  • Steer wrestling: Steers have their necks twisted and are slammed to the ground, risking serious injury. 
  • Bucking events: Bulls and horses are fitted with flank straps and spurred to provoke bucking, a reaction caused by discomfort and fear. 
  • Chuckwagon races: High-speed collisions and crashes often result in catastrophic injuries and death. 
  • In 2025, a horse was euthanized after a serious leg injury in the chuckwagon races. 
  • In 2024, four animals died: three horses during chuckwagon races and one steer whose neck was broken in a steer wrestling event. 

Despite efforts to improve safety, animal fatalities continue almost every year, demonstrating that these events are inherently dangerous. 

Tools & practices that cause distress

  • Flank straps and spurs are used to provoke animals into fleeing and bucking. 
  • Animals often show visible signs of fear and stress: wide eyes, drooling, open mouths, vocalizations, and defecation. 
  • Rodeo footage often shows rough handling — hitting, kicking, tail twisting, and ear pulling. 

The Vancouver Humane Society is urging the newly elected City of Calgary Mayor and Council to remove rodeo and chuckwagon events from the Calgary Stampede program by collaborating with Stampede organizers or implementing bylaws to prohibit harmful events. Cities like Vancouver, Port Moody, and the District of North Vancouver have already banned rodeos. 

Public opposition to rodeo is growing 

  • A 2022 Research Co. poll found removing rodeo and chuckwagon events would have little to no effect on Stampede attendance. 
  • 61% of Canadians and 49% of Albertans opposed the use of animals in rodeo (2022). 
  • By 2023, opposition grew to 67% of Canadians and 53% of Albertans. 
  • 2024 polls showed majorities of Calgarians oppose calf roping, steer wrestling, bronc riding, and chuckwagon racing. 
  • 67% of Calgarians now oppose government funding for rodeos. (2024)

The Future of the Stampede 

The Calgary Stampede has evolved over the decades to incorporate other attractions, including a large art festival; Indigenous performers and artists at the Elbow River Camp; the Midway rides and games; and live music featuring today’s top bands and local musicians. 

  • It’s time to embrace a cruelty-free future that brings people together without animal suffering. 
  • Removing these harmful events would align the Stampede with modern values of compassion and respect for animals. 

Together, We Can Make a Difference

📢 Call on Calgary’s NEW Mayor and City Council to end rodeo and chuckwagon events at the Stampede! 

Together, we can ensure the Calgary Stampede continues as an exciting celebration, without cruelty. 

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.

Sign the Petition
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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 Incidences

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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Take action for animals at Marineland!

Beluga swimming underwater

Humane Canada, of which the VHS is a member organization, needs our help to speak up for animals in captivity at Marineland! 

  • In 2019, Canada banned the keeping of whales, dolphins and porpoises for breeding or entertainment in Canada through the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act. 
  • Since this important federal law was passed in 2019, more than 20 animals have died at Marineland.  
  • Earlier this year, Marineland requested a permit from the federal government to export their 30 remaining beluga whales to the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom aquarium in China where they would endure stressful and dangerous transport and a continued life in captivity for public entertainment. 
  • Marineland’s request was denied, and now they are threatening to euthanize the 30 remaining belugas in their care if financial support is not received from the federal government.  

Join Humane Canada and animal allies across Canada to call on the Ontario government to step up for animal welfare and assist in finding alternative solutions! 

Share your voice for marine mammals in captivity (Humane Canada action)

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What are Humane Canada and other animal organizations asking for?

Humane Canada and other organizations, including the Vancouver Humane Society, are deeply concerned about the ongoing welfare of animals at Marineland in Niagara Falls. While we applaud the federal government’s decision to decline a permit for Marineland to export their beluga whales to China, and the passing of the Ending Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act in 2019, action must be taken by the Ontario government to protect the animals at Marineland. 

Humane Canada and other expert partners including the Whale Sanctuary project and World Animal Protection have repeatedly offered to assist in finding humane outcomes for these animals. Recent deaths of marine mammals and threats of euthanasia from Marineland demonstrate the urgent need for action. 

Humane Canada and compassionate allies are asking for the Government of Ontario to:

  • Direct Ontario’s Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) to step in right away to seize the animals in situ and ensure their welfare and safety, which is at immediate risk. Marineland has stated that the whales will be euthanized if the federal government fails to approve the export permits;
  • Convene a group of independent marine mammal experts to assess the whales’ current condition and work to improve care standards on-site;  
  • Determine the next steps for these whales based on expert advice and in accordance with the whales’ well-being and best interests.   
Don’t delay — add your name to Humane Canada’s letter writing campaign to Ontario Premier Doug Ford!

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Coombs rodeo event results in cruelty complaint for second year in a row 

  • The VHS has once again filed a cruelty complaint with the BC SPCA after new footage from the 2025 Bulls, Broncs & Barrels rodeo event in Coombs revealed troubling treatment of animals for the second year in a row. 
  • This year’s footage captures potentially illegal use of electric prods on bulls; stressed and agitated animals being harshly handled; and an injury to a horse who rears up in the bucking chute and lands on the structure, resulting in a bloody wound. 

TAKE ACTION: Join the VHS in calling for an end to inhumane rodeo events and to stop B.C. government funding that supports them.

Take action
Video footage
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Call on the B.C. government to prohibit inhumane rodeo events and to stop using taxpayer dollars to support them.

Disturbing footage shows improper electric prod use, rough handling at Coombs rodeo

Animal welfare concerns at Coombs rodeo event, 2025

The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has filed a cruelty complaint with the BC SPCA after new footage from last weekend’s Bulls, Broncs & Barrels rodeo event in Coombs revealed potentially illegal use of electric prods and other animal welfare concerns.

Footage: Suzanne Goodwin

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Repeat concerns over electric prod use 

Last year’s Coombs rodeo event drew a cruelty complaint after footage showed potentially illegal electric prod use on bulls and inhumane handling of a fallen horse. Disturbingly, new footage from this year shows similar issues. 

Videos show bulls being shocked with an electric prod in ways that appear to violate Canadian animal handling regulations. These regulations prohibit: 

  • Repeated prodding of the same animal. 
  • Prodding animals who cannot move due to barriers such as overcrowded pens or blocked chutes. 

Footage from the 2025 event appears to show both of these rules being broken. 

The device used—believed to be a Hot-Shot Power-Mite—can deliver shocks of 4,500 volts. 

Stressed animals, injury, and rough handling 

Additional footage from the Coombs rodeo event highlights visibly stressed animals. Clips show animals thrashing in tight chutes, rearing up, and resisting handlers. 

A bull is seen laying on the ground following a bucking event and is then kicked and pulled by the tail and ropes until he rises. 

Two horses rear up out of the bucking chute and crash into metal posts. One of the horses appears to sustain a wound, with bloody abrasions visible on both days of the event.

Show photos of horse injuries
Saturday, August 16 at Coombs rodeo event.
Sunday, August 17 at Coombs rodeo event.

Calls for change at Ministry of Tourism

These recurring concerns underscore the urgent need for change.  

The VHS has written to the B.C. Ministry of Tourism to express concerns about public funding, provided through the B.C. Fairs, Festivals and Events (BCFFE) fund, to events that include rodeos. In 2023 and 2024, $780,000+ and $680,000+ were awarded to events that include rodeo, respectively.    

Another Ministry of Tourism funding program, the Destination Events Program, lists rodeos as an event eligible for funding.  

Provincial government must protect animals used in rodeo

The VHS has also raised concerns with provincial decision-makers about the overall lack of protections for animals used in rodeos, pointing to previous footage of various rodeos across B.C. and to the failure to enforce animal protection laws that prohibit causing distress. 

The VHS is calling for an end to inhumane rodeo events and urging B.C.’s Ministry of Tourism to exclude rodeos from publicly funded grant programs. 

By investing in compassionate and inclusive community events, the province can ensure public funds are directed toward celebrations that bring people together without putting animals at risk of harm. 

Public opposition to rodeo events & funding 

Research Co. polling shows a growing majority of British Columbians are opposed to the use of animals in rodeo events and to taxpayer dollars being used to support rodeo events. 

Take action: Help end cruel rodeo practices in B.C. by contacting the B.C. government today. 

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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!

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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. 

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