Animal Alliance of Canada

Covid-19 has been detected in captive mink on fur farms in various nations, yet Canada is reportedly not testing for the virus. Instead, farmers are told to monitor for illness and to increase bio-security. ~ By not actually testing for the Covid-19 virus Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is able to claim: There are no known cases of COVID-19 on mink farms in Ontario or Canada, as reported by the Sudbury Star. Liz White, Animal Alliance of...Continue reading

Animal-using researchers pledged to use fewer animals. They did not keep that pledge. ~ The terrible truth is in the numbers. Between 2015 and 2019, animal use skyrocketed from 76,646 animals to 152,892. However, the data released by the organization that oversees animal use in research offers no clear reason for this substantial increase. Worse still; over the past five years the number of animals subjected to Category E experiments almost doubled. Category E experiments are... the most painful, most distressing, and most lethal to animals. And, more animals have been suffering in such experiments, not less as this industry pledged. Please read our attached article to learn more, and how you can help. https://www.animalalliance.ca/

Today, Remembrance Day 2020, let's recognize all those who suffered in war - peoples, animals and the environment too - by resolving to be 'Peace Promoters' in our own nations. ~ Our article discusses the economic drivers of war, how some profit from war while the vulnerable, human and non-human, are made victims, and how we can promote peace instead of violence. https://www.animalalliance.ca/remembrance-day-2020/ Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocke...Continue reading

"They Had No Choice." These are painfully true words on 'The Animals In War Memorial' in London, UK. from the 'The Animals In War Memorial' website: "The British, Commonwealth and Allied forces enlisted many millions of animals to serve and often die alongside their armies. These animals were chosen for a variety of their natural instincts and vast numbers were killed, often suffering agonising deaths from wounds, starvation, thirst, exhaustion, disease and exposure." http://www.animalsinwar.org.uk/

Each year we recognize the animal victims of war by wearing the purple poppy. This year, because of the pandemic, we are not gathering in public, but instead we have created a purple poppy frame, so that everyone can still show their support for this cause. Please remember, the purple poppy does not glorify animals use in war as heroic or an act of service. It is only to ensure we recognize the millions of animal lives lost alongside millions of people and that they had no choice. We hope to bring the purple poppy campaign back next year across Canada, and will have further updates in the year ahead. https://www.animalalliance.ca/purple-poppy-remembrance-day/

Double-crested Cormorants have more federal protection in the United States than they do in Canada. Let's change that. ~ Cormorants need to be included in Canada's 'Migratory Birds Convention Act.' Urge Environment Minister, Jonathan Wilkinson, to amend Canada's act to include all migratory birds as has been done in the United States. Because Double-crested Cormorants are excluded from the Canadian act, the Doug Ford government was able to establish a misguided, unscientific... hunt of cormorants this year. This was apparently done to satisfy sport hunting lobbyists. Under the American 'Migratory Bird Treaty Act,' it's not possible to establish an open hunting season for protected birds, like the one in Ontario. Culls by wildlife managers are still possible, but there is greater public oversight and more opportunities for citizens to challenge a proposal to cull. This results in better protection of migratory birds, and a greater degree of public involvement and accountability. Please contact Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson: Ask him to: ____________ - Amend Canada's Migratory Birds Convention Act to include all migratory birds, including Double-crested Cormorants, as the United States government has already done. The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Environment and Climate Change Email: [email protected] Phone: 613 995-1225 Mail: House of Commons, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6 One more thing. _________________ Please help us to keep fighting for Double-crested Cormorants as we have been doing for more than a decade. Our efforts include hiring a boat and captain to monitor the annual culling of cormorants by Parks Canada on Middle Island in Lake Erie, Ontario. This costly project has allowed us to amass our own information to counter the claims of Parks Canada, and let's the agency know that advocates are watching and witnessing their actions. DONATE today at: www.animalalliance.ca/donate Or phone our office to arrange a donation: 1-416-462-9541

We have so much to be thankful for. ~ We are thankful to Wishing Well Sanctuary for taking in 9 cattle we were able to rescue several years ago. We worked to obtain the release of the 9 animals who were destined for slaughter. When we asked the newly-opened Wishing Well Sanctuary to take on these large animals, they said yes. Eight of them still share their pastures with a now larger herd. One cow has since been euthanized due to pain from a deformed foot. It can be difficult... to find sanctuary homes for large animals as they require a lot of space and money to care for. Wishing Well Sanctuary was that critical element to of the rescue story for these cattle. We also thank Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary for providing daily care for the cattle at their original barn while we were securing their release and relocation. And, we thank our donors who made our rescue and transportation of these large animals possible. #FriendsNotFood. #peaceforall See more

We have so much to be thankful for. ~ We are thankful for everyone who cares about and works to help animals. We pay special tribute to those dedicated people who offer loving care to rescued farmed animals. We count the hard-working people at Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary as friends and allies, and we are grateful for all of their loving kindness toward so many farmed animals through the years. #FriendsNotFood

A Thanksliving message from AAC co-founder, Liz White: ~ "My deepest thanks to all of our friends and supporters, and our many allies who do so much for animals. Thank you as well to everyone who cares about animals; who rescues, supports and advocates for them. Together we are changing the world for animals, one step at a time. I am thankful for the opportunity to work for animals over our organization's 30 year history, an opportunity provided by our many generous donors. I... hope that each of you enjoys a day of peace and gratitude, even during this unusual year when we cannot gather together in the usual way. " With affection and gratitude, Liz White. #FriendsNotFood #peaceforall #saveanimals Background photo of Sumac photo credit: Doris Potter.

We have so much to be thankful for. ~ We are especially thankful for those who give so much of their lives to operate animal sanctuaries, like those at Ralphy's Retreat Animal Sanctuary. Sanctuary providers give much of their lives to the care and rescue of animals whose futures would be bleak without intervention. For those who run animal sanctuaries there are no holidays. They work hard everyday for the animals whose lives they save. Our world is kinder and better because of them. Thanks to the people at Ralphy's for all they do. #FriendsNotFood #saveanimals

Happy Thanksliving to all of our friends. Let's celebrate today with peace and non-violence by sharing a plant-based meal that did not cause the suffering and death of an animal. This turkey who lives at The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary reminds us that all animals are 'someones' not 'somethings.' #FriendsNotFood #nonviolence #peaceforall

A commentary about Alberta's horse slaughter industry: "...Alberta is also home to a different kind of livestock trade, worth tens of millions of dollars, and one of the few still in existence in the world today: the horsemeat industry. It is fuelled in large part by breeders and dealers in Alberta, and works largely in the dark to ship horsemeat to Quebec, Asia and Europe." ~ Canada's horse meat industry is one of the few still in existence - nothing to be proud of, and just... another example of how backward Canadian governments are regarding our relationship with animals. The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition (CHDC) has been fighting for years to end horse slaughter in Canada. They also vigorously oppose the live export of horses overseas to be slaughtered for human consumption. We heartily support their work. Follow the page of the CHDC to learn how to help with the fight to end horse slaughter and live-export. The article's writer, Jessica Scott Reid comments on singer Jann Arden's advocacy for horses: "Ms. Arden is using her high profile to agitate for change, even attending a protest at Calgary’s airport last month. "I have a voice, I have a public presence, and I can’t take the cruelty, she says. This is not the Alberta I knew. And, the writer sums up: "This is how Canadian activists can make change: by taking a page from those in the U.S. who shut down the trade by revealing it to the public, and leveraging the courts, media, social media and public figures to do so. If they get enough heat about it, she says, the government will have to do something. ...quotes from the attached article. https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-to-end-canadas-h/

For 30 years we've been working to stop the culling of wild animals, including deer. ~In 2011 we started work in BC where 5 communities were culling deer. Working with partners, the BC Deer Protection Society, we've been successful in 3 communities as Elkford, Kimberley, and Oak Bay have stopped culling. In 2016 we contributed $10,000 to a project to move mule deer out of urban settings to remote habitats chosen to maximize their chances of survival. For those who might ques...tion the value of a relocation project, please consider the alternative. BC communities have been using a kill-method using ‘clover traps’ to capture deer. Clover traps can be collapsed on top of the confined deer who is then killed with a bolt gun to the head. This process was video recorded and can be viewed here. It is difficult to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAX3dZiS9O8&feature=youtu.be In 2009 in London, Ontario, we supported local advocates who successfully fought against a proposed deer cull in the Sifton Bog. After vigorous opposition to the killing, that city called off the cull, and instead more vigorously enforced the wildlife feeding ban which went a long way to dispersing the deer who were gathering in the sensitive location. We remain committed to working in Canadian communities to promote peaceful co-existence with all wild animals. In BC, Cranbrook and Invermere are still culling deer and so our work in BC continues. Please help us by donating to keep us ready to fight the continuing threats to wild animals. DONATE today, in any amount you are comfortable with at: www.animalalliance.ca/donate. Or phone 416-462-9541 to arrange a donation.

What happens to the many horses who are no longer useful to racing, rodeo and trail-riding businesses? Many will suffer a slaughter house death, filled with terror for such sensitive animals. ~ Sinikka Crosland, with Canadian Horse Defence Coalition explains the hard truths of Canada's horse slaughter industry. Ms. Crosland explains that most horses sent to auction from various directions: "...family farms, trail riding outfits, the racing industry, rodeos, and breeding farms... seeking to offload stock they could not sell." Please read the entire article to get a better understanding of the bitter truths about how poorly horses are protected in Canada. And, please understand too that when we support businesses like trail-riding, racing and rodeo that we are contributing to the breeding of horses who will later be disposed of so cruelly. https://animalpeopleforum.org//horse-slaughter-for-human-/

This young pig reminds us why we all need to keep fighting for animals, and get animal products out of our own lives. ~ Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary is caring for yet another young pig who was found on a highway, apparently after having fallen from a truck. A lot of pigs are found this way, which exposes the lie that animal agriculture is a compassionate and responsible industry.

An important article by an Animal Alliance of Canada director and naturalist, Barry Kent McKay. ~ He exposes the ugly truths about sport hunting, a murderous game that relies on myths to justify the pleasure that some take in killing. The misguided hunting season that has been newly instituted by Ontario's government explodes the myths that hunting lobbyists like to promote that hunters are conservationists who 'respect' the wild animals they enjoy killing. https://www.animalalliance.ca/yakabuski-ontario-cormorant/

Speak Up for Ontario's farmed animals. We have until October 15th, 2020, to comment on regulations proposed for Bill 156. ~ This summer Ontario passed Bill 156, an Ag-Gag bill meant to keep the truth about the treatment of farmed animals hidden from view. The most dangerous part of Bill 156 is the section that criminalizes the practice of working under-cover to obtain evidence. Bill 156 makes it an offence to obtain permission to enter a farm or other zone where farmed anim...als are kept under false pretences or duress. This means that when under-cover investigators apply for employment to gather evidence about how animals are being treated they can now be charged under the new act. Obtaining employment to expose bad practices is a time-honoured tradition and a critical form of free speech. Under-cover investigations are often the only way to prove that harms are being inflicted on voiceless victims. It's true that employment must be obtained without revealing the true reason for wanting the job; however, this is often the only way to expose what is taking place in secret. There is a public good provided when victims who cannot speak for themselves have their suffering exposed. Many times the advocates who obtain employment to work under-cover do so to reveal the normal practices allowed under the law - not only actual violations of our weak laws. Just because no laws are being broken does not mean that extreme suffering is not being inflicted on animals. It’s entirely fair, and necessary, for Canadian citizens to understand the truth of what farmed animals are made to endure when confined in cages and crates; and when kept inside barns, many never seeing daylight until the day they are loaded onto a slaughter truck. We especially ask Ontario citizens to express their concerns during the online discussion period that ends October 15th, 2020. Please use your own words to speak for farmed animals: https://bit.ly/3jocDCa Let the politicians know that the right to carry out under-cover investigations, including seeking employment without revealing one’s intention to gather evidence, must be protected as free speech that serves the greater public good. You can read the government’s discussion page about the proposed regulations here: https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/showAttachment.do And, one last note: Animal Alliance of Canada is in the process of hiring a lawyer with expertise in constitutional law to advise us on the ramifications of Bill 156’s apparent attacks on free speech. Such legal opinions are costly, but necessary. Please donate today to help us cover this essential expense: www.animalalliance.ca/donate