Tag: Past campaigns – captivity

• Each year in Canada, 3 to 5 million animals, like beagles, rabbits and mice, are used in scientific research and toxicity testing, as reported by the Canadian Council on Animal Care.  
• In 2024, nearly 100,000 animals were subjected to procedures causing severe pain or distress.  
• There is growing evidence to suggest that animal studies fail to reliably predict human outcomes. 
• Despite the urgent need for better, more human-relevant science, Canada’s progress has been slow.
• Last year, the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods (CCAAM), one of the country’s leading programs for alternatives to animal-use, closed due to a lack of funding.

TAKE ACTION: Sign the new official federal e-petition calling on Canada to do better. Tell the federal government that transitioning to animal-free research and testing is important to you!

When you sign an official federal e-petition, you’ll get an email asking you to confirm your signature. Your signature doesn’t count until you click that confirmation link.

Why change is needed

Despite Canada committing to reduce animal testing for chemical safety in 2022, and a 2025 federal strategy under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) to replace, reduce, or refine the use of vertebrate animals in toxicity testing, the strategy does not include targets, timelines or dedicated funding.  

Federal e-petition 6841 asks for:

• A coordinated national effort to transition away from animal models;  

• Measurable targets to reduce animal use in research and regulatory testing (50% reduction by 2030, full replacement where feasible by 2035); 

• Sustainable federal funding to establish a national centre to lead the transition to animal-free research and testing; 

• A mandate to prioritize non-animal methods, with replacement as the default; 

• Federally recognize non-animal methods as the standard by amending federal laws and regulations; 

• Establish mandatory public reporting on non-animal method adoption rates, federal funding, and animal use in public and private sectors. 

Public support for humane science

Canada is falling behind countries like the United States and those in the European Union, which have developed strategies and investments in new methods that do not use animals. Canadians overwhelmingly agree that it’s time for Canada to catch up.  

• 83% of Canadians believe that whenever modern scientific alternatives are available, they should be used instead of subjecting animals to painful experiments;¹ 

• On average, Canadians rate the importance of considering animal welfare in research decisions at an 8 out of 10, reflecting strong public concern for the treatment of animals used in science;²  

• When asked how important it is to find effective alternatives to the use of animals in science and medicine, Canadians gave an average score of 7.7 out of 10.²  
  

Sign the official federal government petition: 

Join fellow Canadians in calling for a transition to animal-free research and testing! 

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! 

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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.   

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• B.C. residents: Please call on your local government to endorse a resolution seeking stronger protections for exotic animals and animals used in mobile programs.
• The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), which serves as the voice for local governments across B.C., will be meeting for their annual convention Sept 22-26 in Victoria.
• UBCM members will consider a resolution calling on the B.C. government to regulate mobile live animal programs (MLAPs) and update regulations relating to exotic (non-native, undomesticated) species.
• The UBCM resolution (pg. 173 of Resolutions Book) was put forward by Port Moody Council following a Port Moody decision earlier this year to prohibit MLAPs, such as mobile petting zoos.
• Port Moody’s decision was a result of animal welfare, environmental, public health and safety, and educational concerns associated with MLAPs. 

TAKE ACTION: Use the quick message tool below to urge your local government to endorse the UBCM resolution seeking stronger protections for animals transported for public display, handling, or sale and for updated regulations related to the import, keeping, breeding, and transport of all exotic species.

Learn more

What are mobile live animal programs? 

Mobile live animal programs (MLAPs) can take many forms, including travelling petting zoos, presentations, and expos. 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 not native to B.C.), such as spiders, snakes, lizards, and tortoises.  

Concerns regarding MLAPs include: 

• Frequent, and at times long-distance, transport of animals to events; 
• Small, barren enclosures with little to no opportunity for natural behaviours or the ability to escape the view of the public and other animals; 
• Frequent public handling, increasing risk of injury and disease spread; 
• Lack of educational value and the risk of perpetuating misconceptions about animal care and needs. 

What are the issues with keeping exotic animals as pets? 

• Animal welfare: Exotic animals (wild animals not native to B.C.), even if they are born in captivity, still have the same complex needs they would in the wild. It’s extremely difficult to recreate their natural environment in captivity, and when those needs aren’t met, the animals often suffer. 
• Public health & safety concerns: Approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can spread from animals to humans. In the last decade, there have been seven documented disease outbreaks in B.C. linked to the exotic pet trade, four of which occurred in 2023 and 2024 and were associated with snakes, lizards, and geckos. 
• Ecological threats: Escaped or released pets can become invasive species, displacing native wildlife, threatening habitats, and spreading new diseases. 
• Community impacts: Escaped or released animals and the surrender of unwanted exotic pets strain already overwhelmed shelters, rescues, and veterinary services. There have been many documented instances of escaped/released exotic pets in B.C. in recent years.