We ask you to think about a few things please….
Do you believe animals, all species are living, breathing souls?
Do you believe they possess the ability to feel pain, fear, happiness, distress, express emotions?
Do you believe that animals should be protected against abuse and neglect, protected against being exploited by profiteers?
That they are more than mere property – a commodity?
Do you have an opinion around what is humane? And what is quality of life?
Do you believe animal welfare legislation is the foundation of animal protection? That it is the legislation that is the driving force of what protection animals are to be afforded? That when the system is not working – it is the legislation that needs fixing?
We believe that legislation is very important but it is just one element. It is one part of a mosaic of critical areas. Areas such as:
- Overarching legislation
- regulations
- policies
- budget & resourcing
- enforcement model with ability to measure compliance
- justice
- transparency & accountability
Each part contributes to an overall approach based on a belief. A foundational core belief in regard to how animals are viewed:
- Do they deserve to live a species appropriate life, free of exploitation?
- Free of pain and mental anguish?
- Do they deserve a life of dignity and humane treatment?
We understand that nothing can be perfect and of course there will be compromises required and realistic efficiencies as animal welfare is a cost and is just one spoke in the wheel of services that we all pay for as taxpayers.
As a general rule we believe that Canadians love animals and believe they should be well protected and people who harm animals should be dealt with sternly.
Canada as a country should be ashamed of our animal welfare protections and the criminal justice system protecting animals. Many people would be shocked and sickened to learn how Canada compares to different countries.
In Ontario, animal protections are diminishing before our eyes. Things are permitted that is sickening:
- Roadside zoos are completely unlicensed
- Doug Ford has refused to hire the required numbers of Animal Welfare Services (AWS) Inspectors making response times in many parts of the province unacceptable and prolonging the suffering of animals
- Under government control, animal welfare has an annual budget 5x that of the OSPCA. Over 71% of the budget goes to salaries and less than 15% to actual animal protection services
- The province allowed decades of inhumane treatment of mammals at Marineland – acting ONLY after massive public outcry and feature documentary
- The government of Ontario refuses to acknowledge animals are sentient – having the capacity to experience feelings and have cognitive abilities such as awareness and emotional reactions
- Doug Ford lifted the 1997 ban on “penned hunting” (aka Train & Trial) license issuances
- Ontario’s Animals for Research Act that purchases animals from pounds for research purposes
- Doug Ford refused to research dog breeders to be licensed. Making the new PUPS Act irrelevant as there is no way to trace breeders or brokers.
Now into the 6th year under the PAWS Act legislation it remains weak and vaguely written. There are huge chunks of “to be prescribed” regulations missing and it full of loop holes to protect the government instead of the animals.
To drive change, people much be aware. And that is what we do…raise awareness..start a conversation..get people to ask questions and then they can make informed decisions.
Is Ontario’s animal welfare system approach aligned with that you (Ontarian) believe animals are and what they deserve?
We firmly believe that if the taxpayer, the animal lovers knew the breadth of this situation that they would demand change.
Each of us has a voice and the animals need it.
They don’t have a voice – we are their voice.