Media Releases
According to a recent Harris/Decima poll commissioned by the VHS, and funded by the Vancouver Foundation, 71% of Canadians said they are concerned about the humane treatment of farm animals and two-thirds (65%) said a political candidate’s stance on farm animal welfare practices would factor into their voting decision.
The poll zeroed in on attitudes about eggs and laying hens. After learning about the differences between eggs from hens confined in battery cages and those from cage-free farms, three in five Canadians (57%) indicated they oppose the use of (battery) cages, and 68% would support a legislated ban on cages for their province, up 5% since 2009’s poll.
Battery cages are used in the production of 97% of Canada’s eggs. Science has proven that hens suffer in cages. With five to seven hens per cage, they deny hens the ability to engage in any of their natural behaviours, such as nesting, wing‐flapping or dust bathing. Despite the cruelty of cages, the poll shows that half (51%) of Canadians buy white eggs from caged hens.
“Most people don’t realize regular white eggs come from factory farms,” said Leanne McConnachie, Director of Farm Animal Programs for the VHS. “In fact, one-third (32%) of respondents wrongly believed that 5-24% of eggs in Canada come from cage-free hens when only 3% are cage-free. Fortunately in BC, where we have focused our ChickenOUT! campaign, 15% of provincial egg production will soon be cage-free. We’d like other provinces to follow suit.”
For more information, visit www.chickenout.ca and www.raisingthebarn.ca
Media Contact: Leanne McConnachie – Director, VHS: leanne@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca, ph. 604‐340‐3979
*About the survey: A total of 1,009 Canadians were surveyed from November 18th through November 21st 2010 using teleVox, Harris/Decima’s telephone omnibus. Results for the full sample are considered accurate +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.
The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has called for an immediate halt to the Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races as a fifth horse has died at the Stampede, the third in the chuckwagon event.
“This event has become a killing ground for horses,” said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker, who said more than 50 chuckwagon horses have died at the Stampede since 1986.
VHS is calling for the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) to demand that the Stampede immediately suspend the event. The CVMA’s official position on the use of animals in entertainment states that it “does not condone activities, contests or events that involve undue levels of physical or mental harassment or situations that have a high probability of causing injury or illness.”
VHS also says the corporate sponsors of the chuckwagon races should take responsibility for the event and urge the Stampede to suspend it immediately.
Fricker said he hoped the equine community in Canada would express their outrage at the horse deaths at the Stampede. “People who love horses should let the Stampede know that this is unacceptable.”
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Contact: Peter Fricker 604 266 9744 Cell: 604 603 5401
UK parliamentarians condemn Calgary Stampede
Motion commends British animal charity targeting Stampede tourism
Date: July 8, 2010
The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has received some distinguished, if distant, support for its campaign against calf-roping at the Calgary Stampede.
A group of British members of parliament has signed a motion tabled in the U.K. House of Commons condemning rodeos and calling “on the Canadian government to take steps to end the immense cruelty to animals in events such as calf-roping, which is practised at rodeos including the Calgary Stampede.” So far more than 50 MPs have signed the motion.
The League Against Cruel Sports, one of Britain’s oldest and most respected animal welfare charities, has also today announced it is supporting VHS’s anti-rodeo campaign. The parliamentary motion commends the League for “bringing the enormous cruelty of rodeo to the attention of the British public.” The League was instrumental in having fox-hunting outlawed in the U.K.
The League is urging its supporters to write to the Canadian High Commission to express their opposition to rodeo and is asking U.K. travel companies to stop promoting package tours to the Calgary Stampede. “Canada is a beautiful country with so much to do, there really is no need to be abusing animals in this way for entertainment. We know from our opinion polls that British tourists vote with their feet on other animal welfare issues such as bullfighting, and we will be persuading them to do the same with the rodeo,” said Steve Taylor, the League’s Head of Campaigns and Communications.
Responsibletravel.com, the world’s leading travel agent for responsible holidays, has already agreed to warn tourists about the inhumane treatment of animals at the Stampede with information on its website: http://www.responsibletravel.com
VHS says the British support is a first step toward internationalizing opposition to rodeos in Canada. “Visitors to Canada just don’t know about the cruelty involved in rodeo until they’ve attended one,” said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker. “We aim to make sure they know beforehand.”
Rodeo has been banned in Britain since 1934. The U.K. Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals is opposed to rodeo, as are the national SPCAs of the United States, Australia and New Zealand. In Canada, virtually all animal welfare agencies oppose rodeo, including the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and the Humane Society of Canada.
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Contact: Peter Fricker 604 266 9744 Cell: 604 603 5401
Vancouver Humane Society calls for Vancouver Aquarium to stop breeding and acquiring cetaceans
Date: June 22, 2010
The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is saddened, but not surprised, by the death of another baby beluga at the Vancouver Aquarium and is calling for an immediate halt to further breeding and acquisition of cetaceans by the facility.
“Keeping and breeding these magnificent animals in an environment thousands if not millions of times smaller than the one to which they have evolved is unconscionable,” says Debra Probert, VHS Executive Director.
Belugas live in highly complex environments that can’t be replicated in captivity. They are highly social animals who live in the ocean in large pods. According to media reports, Nala had two rocks and a penny lodged in her airway.
“You can’t keep an animal in what basically comes down to a bathtub and expect it to behave naturally,” says Probert. “The industry claims to be educational but in fact it exists to provide entertainment. There is no educational or conservation value in keeping whales in tanks – it’s not an environment conducive to learning anything about them.”
VHS also claims there is little oversight of the captive animal industry. “The only organization providing any kind of accreditation to aquariums and zoos is sadly ineffective,” claims Probert. The Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) visits accredited facilities only every five years. “The West Edmonton Mall is an accredited facility,” adds Probert. “That in itself should show how effective CAZA is.”
Contact: Debra Probert, Executive Director; 604-266-9744; 778-994-9744
Charity Chastises Chong Chicken Chucking
Vancouver Humane Society appalled at use of live birds
Date: March 24, 2010
The Vancouver Humane Society is criticizing the tactics of the Dogwood Initiative and University of Victoria student activists on Wednesday after they threw chickens into B.C. Minister Ida Chong’s office to illustrate their contention that Chong is “chicken”.
“While we fully support the Dogwood Initiative’s laudable work in raising awareness about environmental issues in B.C., we’re deeply troubled that they would use live animals to make a point. This shows an appalling lack of respect and empathy, particularly considering the source – a group that is highly sensitive to environmental degradation and its threat to native species,” stated Debra Probert, VHS executive director.
“Respect for animals should not have boundaries,” Probert said. “I’m certain that the organization would never use a species that inhabits the environment they work so hard to protect – for instance, loons or ducks. Chickens feel stress and pain in the same way, and no living creature should be used as a prop to make a political statement.”
Probert will be requesting that Dogwood Initiative develop a policy prohibiting the use of live animals in future protests.
Contact: Debra Probert, Executive Director; 604-266-9744; 778-994-9744
Results Suggest Majority of Canadians Want 2010 to be Happier for Hens
New poll shows most want ban on battery cages
Date: December 28, 2009
VANCOUVER, Dec. 28 /CNW/ - The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) wants to make 2010 a happier new year for hens and is urging everyone to add compassionate food choices to their New Year's resolutions list.
It looks like VHS and the hens may get their wish. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Canadians say they are willing to pay more for humanely produced food, according to a Harris/Decima poll commissioned by VHS.
When it comes to egg-laying hens, almost two-thirds (63%) of Canadians indicated they would support a legislative ban on battery cages for their province. Battery cages are barren, wire cages that confine an average of five birds per cage, denying hens the ability to engage in any of their natural behaviours, such as nesting, wing-flapping, scratching in the earth, or dust bathing.
British Columbians were the most opposed to the use of battery cages, with 69% supporting a provincial ban, followed by Quebec (66%), Alberta (65%) and Ontario (61%). Results from a similar poll in 2007 suggest there has been an increase in public support for a ban over the past two years.
Countries such as Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands have all banned the use of battery cages, as will the entire European Union as of 2012, and the State of California in 2015.
"Canadians are becoming more compassionate as they learn more about how our food is actually produced," said Leanne McConnachie, Director of Farm Animal Programs for VHS. "If consumers want to make a difference now, the best option is to make compassionate choices in the grocery store. In Canada, Certified Organic standards guarantee that the eggs come from free-range and free-run hens."
The poll reported that 10% of Canadians and 21% of British Columbians already buy cage-free eggs. This surprised McConnachie, as it demonstrates that demand for cage-free eggs clearly exceeds what the egg marketing boards allow to be produced under the supply management system.
Respondents also indicated they would like to be more aware of what they're buying, with most Canadians (77%) supporting a requirement to label cartons as "eggs from caged hens" if the eggs come from hens that are raised in battery cages. Quebec showed the highest support with 84% of respondents wanting better labelling.
For more information, visit www.chickenout.ca.
ChickenOUT! is funded, in part, by the Vancouver Foundation and Canadians for the Ethical Treatment of Farm Animals (CETFA).
About the survey:
A total of 2,012 Canadians were surveyed from December 3rd through December 13th 2009 using teleVox, Harris/Decima's telephone omnibus. Results for the full sample are considered accurate +/ 2.2%, 19 times out of 20.
For further information:
Media Contacts: Leanne McConnachie - Director,
Farm Animal Programs, Vancouver Humane Society
leanne@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca
Is Province Doing Enough to Regulate Zoos?
Mountain View allegations put spotlight on flaws in new provincial legislation
Date: December 14, 2009
The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is questioning the value of new B.C. zoo regulations, which will base permits on zoo standards set by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA). The Mountain View Conservation Society, currently the subject of animal cruelty allegations by present and former employees, is accredited by CAZA.
VHS is calling for a government investigation of Mountain View, and a review of the criteria for granting zoo permits, which are presently being accepted by the Ministry of the Environment.
“If the allegations against Mountain View are true, then CAZA standards are utterly meaningless,” said Peter Fricker, Projects and Communications Director for VHS. “Even in the event Mountain View emerges from this debacle with no charges, it’s important to recognize that CAZA is a member-driven organization, made up of the very facilities it is responsible for monitoring.”
Fricker cites the length of time between inspections by CAZA - the accreditation inspection is only done once every five years - and points out that the West Edmonton Mall is an accredited facility. “What kind of an organization would accredit a shopping mall as having acceptable standards for captive wildlife?”
VHS has serious concerns about the application process currently underway. The application requires facilities to submit plans explaining how they intend to house and care for their animals. But the Ministry has not published detailed standards, so it is unclear what criteria have to be met to obtain a permit.
Under new provincial regulations captive animal facilities in B.C. have until February 1, 2010 to apply for a permit. The regulations were introduced following the death of Tanya Dumstrey-Soos after a captive tiger reached out of its enclosure and slashed her, severing an artery in her leg in 2007.
See VHS blog post about the Mountain View allegations.
Contact:
Peter Fricker, Projects and Communications Director: 604 266 9744 Cell: 604 603 5401
Rising to a Higher Standard Terra Breads Goes Cage-Free!
Terra Breads eliminates the use of eggs from caged hens
Date: October 14th, 2009
Vancouver-based artisan bread maker and bakery, Terra Breads, will now use only cage-free eggs in all its baked goods.
Terra Breads head baker and co-owner Mary MacKay became interested in using cage-free eggs after hearing the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) present their Chicken OUT! campaign to the Chef’s Table Society of BC earlier this year. The Chef’s Table Society is a chef-administered, province-wide collaborative dedicated to creating a foundation for the exchange of information between culinary professionals.
Terra Breads turned to VHS to help them find a source for liquid cage-free eggs. VHS connected them with Richmond-based Rabbit River Farms. Rabbit River produces both Certified Organic free-range and BC SPCA Certified free-run eggs and is a leading supplier of cage-free eggs for the retail market.
Steve Easterbrook, owner of Rabbit River Farms, has been a leading advocate for cage-free production for the past 15 years. “Our advancement into supplying value-added cage-free egg products such as whole liquid egg and hard-cooked peeled eggs enables us to serve the bakery, restaurant and food service market for ready to use egg products” said Easterbrook.
Terra began trials with Rabbit River’s new cage-free liquid egg product this August. “We mix quality ingredients — many of them organic – to make our breads” said MacKay. “The eggs supplied by Rabbit River are a beautiful golden yellow from the rich yolks that are developed from happy chickens. We are thrilled to be able to now bake with cage-free eggs.”
“We commend Terra Breads for making the switch, and are so pleased that Rabbit River has increased the availability of cage-free egg products” said Leanne McConnachie, Director of VHS’s Chicken OUT! campaign. “Their leadership and cage-free products will encourage and enable many more right-minded retail and food service companies to eliminate the use of eggs from battery caged hens”.
For more on egg-laying hens in Canada, visit Chicken OUT!
Media Contacts:
Steve Easterbrook, Rabbit River Farms – tel: 778-668-8848
Mary Mackay, Terra Breads: - tel: 604 736-1884 ext.113 or 604-805-1224
Leanne McConnachie – Vancouver Humane Society, Director - tel: 604-266-9744 or 604-340-3979
Humane Society Calls for Boycott of Petcetera Stores
Pet store’s decision to sell more animals causes unnecessary suffering, says society
Date: September 26, 2009
On the eve of Petcetera’s grand opening this Saturday (September 26) the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is calling for a boycott of the pet store chain because of its decision to sell more animals.
Petcetera, which went bankrupt earlier this year, is reopening a number of stores in the Lower Mainland with an expanded list of animals for sale, including a range of reptiles. In the late 1990s, after pressure from animal welfare groups, the chain agreed not to sell exotic animals.
“Petcetera’s decision to sell reptiles ignores the fact that these animals, even if they are captive-bred, suffer in captivity,” said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker. “As with all pet store animals, many will be bought on impulse, then neglected or abandoned once their novelty wears off.”
VHS also objects to Petcetera’s continued sale of rabbits, given the overpopulation problems caused by the release of pet rabbits in several areas in B.C. “Richmond, Kelowna and the University of Victoria have faced major rabbit overpopulation problems,” said Fricker. “This has not only unnecessarily exposed rabbits to starvation, disease and predation, but also creates costly and controversial dilemmas for communities on how to stop the overpopulation.”
VHS is urging the public to look to animal shelters and rescue groups if they want to give an animal a home – and only if they have the time, resources and commitment to permanently provide the animal with an appropriate environment.
Letters can be written to:
Mr. Dan Urbani
President and CEO
Petcetera
Suite 285, 4611 Viking Way
Richmond, BC
V6V 2K9
Fax: 604 244 7388
Tel: 604 244 7387
Cage-Free Campus in the Capital
Date: September 15th, 2009
University of Victoria's Food Services Department eliminates the use of eggs from battery caged hens in campus food services.
Posters have been erected at the University of Victoria's two main cafeterias informing students that only cage-free eggs will be served at these campus food outlets. The decision to eliminate the use of eggs from caged hens will affect 12 separate businesses run by UVic's Food Services Department, including the University Centre
Cafeteria, residence dining halls and catering service.
UVic joins a growing number of schools across Canada - 14 to date - to adopt a cage-free egg purchasing policy for campus food outlets. Within BC alone, 5 campuses - UBC, SFU, UNBC, BCIT and Langara College - have all made the progressive decision to reduce or eliminate the use of eggs from caged hens.
"We knew there were other schools that had adopted a cage-free policy for the purchase of whole or shell eggs," said Thomas Bain, Director of Food Services for UVic, "but we wanted to be among the first to adopt a 100% cage-free policy for all egg products - whole/shell and liquid." Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario also chose to commence the school year by serving only 100% cage-free eggs and egg-products in its food facilities.
"We commend UVic for their commitment to more compassionate and sustainable food choices on campus menus," said Leanne McConnachie, Director of the Vancouver Humane Society's Chicken OUT! campaign. Chicken OUT! encourages individuals and organizations to purchase eggs produced in higher-welfare systems, such as certified organic, free-range and free-run environments.
In Canada, over 90% of eggs come from hens confined to small wire battery cages. With an average of 5 hens per cage, the hens are unable to carry out any of their natural behaviours, including flapping their wings, foraging for food, nesting, or dust bathing.
Countries such as Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands have all banned the use of barren cages, as will the entire European Union as of 2012, and the State of California in 2015. Last September, the City of Victoria joined 13 other BC municipalities in adopting similar cage-free egg policies for city-run food outlets.
For more on egg-laying hens in Canada, visit www.chickenout.ca.
Media Contacts:
Leanne McConnachie - Director, Vancouver Humane Society: 604-340-3979
Thomas Bain - Manager of Food Services, University of Victoria: 250-472-4112
Second Horse Dies at Calgary Stampede
Vancouver Humane Society says chuckwagon racing must stop
July 8, 2009
The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is calling for an end to chuckwagon racing at the Calgary Stampede, following the death of a second horse at the Stampede.
The horse was euthanized after breaking a leg in one of Tuesday’s (July 7) races. Another horse died of a heart attack after a race on Sunday (July 5).
“Chuckwagon racing is not a sport, it’s animal abuse,” said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker. People who love horses need to tell the Stampede this has to stop.”
Fricker said the risk of death or injury for horses in chuckwagon racing was unacceptably high, with horses dying nearly every year at the Stampede. He said 23 had died at the races in the last 10 years. “The stress on the horses from this event is far too high. It is clearly inhumane.”
VHS says it believes many people in riding clubs, equestrian associations and other equine groups oppose chuckwagon racing.
Globe and Mail Agrees to Run Ad Against Calf-Roping
Vancouver Humane Society says anti-rodeo campaign is growing
July 7, 2009
The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has welcomed a decision by the Globe and Mail newspaper to run an ad calling for a ban on calf-roping at the Calgary Stampede. The ad will run today, July 7, in the Western Canada edition of the paper. The decision follows refusals by the Calgary Sun and Calgary Herald to run the ad last week.
“We’re glad that at least some media believe in providing a forum for dissent on this issue,” said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker. “In our opinion, calf-roping is inhumane and people have a right to hear that point of view.”
The only media in Calgary running VHS ads opposing calf-roping are Fast Forward Weekly and a radio station, X92.9FM.
VHS has also welcomed the support of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS), which has issued a statement condemning rodeos. The CFHS represents SPCAs and humane societies in Canada. CFHS statement can be viewed at this link.
Fricker said that the CFHS’s statement on rodeo, along with that of the Humane Society of Canada last week, showed opposition to calf-roping was growing.
Calgary Newspapers Afraid to Criticize Rodeo
Vancouver Humane Society’s call for ban on calf-roping lassoed
June 29, 2009
The Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun newspapers have refused to print an advertisement calling for a ban on calf-roping, a controversial rodeo event due to take place during this week’s Calgary Stampede. The Herald refused to give a reason for the rejection and the Sun said it did not share the ad’s opinion so would not run it.
The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS), which submitted the ad, says the rejections are unethical and a denial of free speech. VHS says it did everything within reason to accommodate the Herald’s sensitivities around the Calgary Stampede, including agreeing to a request to remove all references to the Stampede in the ad. But the Herald even rejected the revised version, which referred only to calf-roping and rodeos in general. The Sun rejected the ad within an hour of receiving it.
“We bent over backwards to meet the Herald’s concerns but it became clear they were unwilling to allow any criticism of rodeo. This is an outrageous denial of free speech,” said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker. He said the ad, which had been checked by VHS’s lawyers, was fair comment, inoffensive and in good taste.
The text of the ad reads: “It’s a basic human instinct to protect the young. And not just our own. Whether it’s puppies, kittens, cubs or calves, their vulnerability speaks to us all. Well, some of us. Every year rodeos subject three-month-old calves to fear, pain and stress – all in the name of entertainment. No way to treat a baby. It’s time to ban calf-roping.”
The ad shows a photo of a cowboy about to throw a roped calf to the ground. The calf is labelled “baby” and the cowboy is labelled “bully.” An image of the rejected ad is available at this link.
Fricker said the ad was intended to appeal to Calgarians’ compassion. “Most people believe in kindness to animals and no one can say calf-roping is kind. It’s abuse of a young, vulnerable animal,” he said, “Even rodeo fans gasp when the calf hits the end of the rope.”
VHS has formally called on the Stampede to ban the event, but organizers have refused to make any changes. In 2007, the Cloverdale Rodeo eliminated calf-roping and three other roping events after a long campaign by VHS. The society says Cloverdale’s country fair has continued to be popular without the events, drawing record crowds this year.
Chickens get ResPECKED at Sunday’s Vancouver Marathon
Date: May 2, 2009
The Vancouver Humane Society’s six foot chicken mascot Henny will be cheering on runner Ashley Fruno at this Sunday’s Vancouver Marathon in celebration of Chicken OUT! and International Respect for Chickens Day on
May 4th.
“Henny wants people to know that battery cages for egg laying hens are cruel, and that Canada’s 26 million hens simply want to run free like those in the Marathon!” says Fruno.
According to the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS), chickens are often viewed as birdbrained, but these birds score as high on intelligence tests as dogs and some primates. When egg-laying hens are denied access to a nest and confined in wire cages so small they can barely move, let alone flap their wings, they become extremely frustrated and stressed, and their welfare is compromised.
“As Metro Vancouverites, we can be very proud of the decisions made by our local universities and city councils to serve only cage-free eggs on campus and at city food venues and events,” said Leanne McConnachie, Director of the VHS’s Chicken OUT! campaign. “On May 4th we can celebrate the gains made so far for hens in B.C. and continue to encourage consumers who buy eggs to shop with compassion and purchase only cage-free, certified organic eggs.”
Approximately 626 million chickens are raised for meat and egg production each year in Canada with over 90 percent of egg laying hens raised in tiny battery cages.
International Respect for Chickens Day was launched in 2005 by Virginia-based United Poultry Concerns and is designed to celebrate the beauty, dignity and life of chickens and to protest against the bleakness of their lives in factory farming operations.
The Vancouver Humane Society's Chicken OUT! campaign has encouraged 13 Canadian post-secondary institutions - including BCIT, Langara College, UBC and SFU - and 13 B.C. municipalities - including Vancouver, Richmond, Pitt Meadows and the Metro Vancouver Regional District - to support cage-free egg purchasing policies. To learn more about the campaign, visit Chicken OUT!
Ethical Travel Company Warns Tourists About Calgary Stampede Animal Cruelty
Vancouver Humane Society aims to counter false western heritage message
March 19, 2009
The world’s leading ethical travel company is warning tourists about the inhumane treatment of animals at the Calgary Stampede. In an agreement with the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS), U.K. based ResponisbleTravel.com will carry a web page describing animal welfare concerns at the Stampede and other rodeos. This is the first time a travel company has carried criticism of the Stampede. The web page can be viewed at this link.
The agreement is part of an effort by VHS to educate overseas visitors about the Stampede, said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker. “About 40 per cent of the Stampede’s patrons are tourists and we know that it is marketed internationally.” Fricker said VHS is planning to distribute information about animal abuse at the Stampede directly to tour operators and to international travel writers, as this is the time of year many people book their vacations.
Fricker said the Stampede’s marketing was selling tourists a distortion of Canadian history and a phony version of western heritage. “Real cowboys didn’t ride bulls. The chuckwagon race was invented in 1923. Steer wrestling was introduced in the 1930s. So where is the ‘old west’ heritage?” He said the pressure of timed events and big prize money removed any resemblance rodeo has with real ranching practices.
Fricker said ethical and responsible travel had grown out of the eco-tourism movement and was now incorporating animal welfare issues. “First it was endangered wildlife, then cruelty to dancing bears in places like Bulgaria. Now it’s rodeo,” he said. “Rodeo exploits animals’ reaction to pain, fear and stress. People aren’t going to put up with that in the 21st century.
VHS played a role in the Cloverdale Rodeo’s decision to drop four roping events in 2007 and in the City of Vancouver’s decision to ban rodeo in 2006.
Orillia and Pickering Become First "cage-free" Cities in Ontario
Date: December 17, 2008
Press Release: Humane Society International (Canada)
Humane Society International (HSI) Canada Congratulates Orillia and Pickering for Becoming First "Cage-Free" Cities in Ontario.
City councils resolve to end their use of eggs from caged hens.
ONTARIO (Dec. 17, 2008) -- In a landmark decision, the cities of Orillia and Pickering in Ontario have resolved to improve the lives of farm animals by requesting that all city-run facilities stop using eggs from hens stuffed into tiny cages. Councils also encouraged residents, including restaurants, caterers, retailers and wholesalers to switch to certified organic free-range eggs instead of eggs from caged hens. The move drew applause from Humane Society International/Canada (HSI Canada).
"The cities of Orillia and Pickering have demonstrated their leadership and compassion by resolving to end their use of eggs from caged hens," said Bruce Passmore, director of outreach for HSI Canada. "In doing so, they are expressing their opposition to one of the cruelest production methods in animal agribusiness."
Approximately 98 percent of Canada's 26 million egg-laying hens are cruelly confined for their entire lives in tiny wire "battery" cages so small that the hens can barely move. These hens are prevented from performing many of their most basic instinctive behaviors, such as walking, stretching their wings, dust-bathing and nesting. Countries including Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands have banned the use of barren battery cages, and the European Union's phase-out of these cages will be complete in 2012. In November, voters in California overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that phases out the cruelest confinement systems for laying hens and certain other farm animals.
More than 350 universities and colleges in North America have reduced or eliminated their use of eggs from caged hens in campus food services. In British Columbia, more than a dozen cities have passed resolutions requesting the removal of eggs from caged hens from city menus, and the Union of BC Municipalities is currently considering a similar province-wide motion.
"Going cage-free is about making more humane choices," said Passmore. "Dropping eggs from caged hens off the grocery shopping list is a simple and effective way to help improve life for farm animals."
Alternatives to eggs from caged hens include certified organic, free-range or free-run.
Photos and video footage of Canadian battery and free-range egg farms are available by request.
Vancouver Animal Rights Day– 25 Year Anniversary!
Date: August 7, 2008
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery, Robson and Hornby
When: Saturday, August 9, 2008 - 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Twenty-five years ago, then Vancouver Mayor Mike Harcourt declared August 3rd to be the city’s first Animal Rights Day. Since 1983, local animal protection groups have been getting together every year to commemorate this occasion.
The Vancouver Humane Society will be hosting this year’s Animal Rights Day celebration on Saturday, August 9, 2008 on the Robson Street side of the Vancouver Art Gallery from 11 am to 5 pm. The Wildlife Rescue Association, Liberation BC, Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue and the Vancouver Rabbit Rescue Association will be among the groups joining them.
Vancouver and the Lower Mainland have been very progressive with regard to animal issues over the years, having instigated bylaws against circuses, exotic animal ownership, and rodeos. And now, Vancouver and other BC municipalities are taking a leadership position with regard to the welfare of egg-laying hens.
In Canada, 26 million hens are housed row upon row in what are called “battery cages”. With an average of five hens per cage, each hen lives her entire life in a space smaller than an 8.5” x 11.5” sheet of paper. According to Leanne McConnachie, VHS’s Director of Farm Animal Programs, “The birds cannot engage in any of their natural behaviours such as scratching, dust-bathing, foraging or nesting, let alone stretch their wings.”
But that may soon be changing. As many as eleven BC city councils have voted in favour of banning battery cage production methods in the province, including four from the Lower Mainland - Richmond, Vancouver, Whistler and Pitt Meadows. “Furthermore,” says McConnachie, “seven BC municipalities have adopted food policies requiring city-run food facilities to only purchase cage-free eggs from their suppliers.”
At this Saturday’s Animal Rights Day, staff and volunteers from the Vancouver Humane Society will help educate consumers on how they can make more compassionate food choices. “Something as simple as switching to certified organic free-range eggs will help keep egg-laying hens out of battery cages” says McConnachie. “It’s a small thing that each one of us can do that makes a huge difference in the lives of these misunderstood animals.”
Rodeo: What Would Jesus Think?
Date: July 29, 2008
Vancouver – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is asking Christians in Abbotsford, B.C., whether Jesus Christ would condone the treatment of animals in the city’s Mighty Fraser Rodeo which starts this week (July 31-August 4).
VHS is running a full-page ad in the Abbotsford Times showing an image of Jesus alongside photos of rodeo animals in distress. An identical poster is also being distributed locally. The text states:
“The words of Jesus speak of kindness, mercy and compassion. A far cry from the values on display in rodeos, where fear, pain and distress are used to make animals perform for human amusement. Would Jesus have condoned such brutality for the sake of entertainment? Do you?”
The poster has been sent to local churches and is being posted throughout the city. VHS spokesman Peter Fricker said the ad and poster are designed to provoke thought about the morality of rodeo. He added that the Abbotsford Times had reneged on an agreement to run the ad on the paper’s back page and would only carry it on an inside page because of the disturbing images of the treatment of rodeo animals.
“The Times was concerned about people seeing the images landing on their doorsteps, but we simply want Christians to ask themselves if their values are compatible with the values of rodeo,” said Fricker. “Since they believe in and promote kindness and compassion it would be difficult to support rodeo, as there’s nothing kind or compassionate about it. In fact, it’s brutal and cruel.”
VHS is calling on the organizers of the Mighty Fraser Rodeo to drop all roping events from its program. The society says calf-roping, team-roping, steer-wrestling and wild cow-milking are the most inhumane events and these, at least, should be banned.
Last year, after years of pressure from the humane community, the Cloverdale Rodeo dropped all roping events, a move VHS wants Abbotsford and other rodeos to follow. “The absence of these events apparently didn’t affect attendance,” says Fricker. “The Cloverdale Fair stated that they had some of the biggest crowds in years.”
Note to editors: VHS’s ad can be downloaded here.
Humane Society Launches ‘Eat Less Meat’ Campaign
Date: June 19, 2008
Humane society launches ‘Eat less meat’ campaign
Full-page newspaper ad spearheads effort to raise awareness of environmental, animal welfare and health costs of meat
Vancouver - Any way you slice it the overconsumption of meat is bad for animal welfare, the environment, and human health. That’s the message of a campaign launched today (June 19) by the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) urging Metro Vancouver residents to cut down their meat consumption.
VHS is running a full-page advertisement in this week’s Georgia Straight newspaper to raise awareness of the problems caused by the production and consumption of meat.
“The rising demand for meat is driving an expansion of factory farming here and around the world,” says VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker. “This is not only causing literally billions of animals to suffer but it’s also damaging the environment and affecting human health.”
VHS says intensive farming methods are inhumane, confining animals in cramped, unsanitary conditions and depriving them of the most basic behavioural needs.
But VHS also points to scientific research confirming that livestock production is a major contributor to global warming and a significant source of water and air pollution. “Meat production is a wasteful, dirty business that degrades the environment,” says Fricker.
The overconsumption of meat is also making us fat and unhealthy says VHS, which cites recent research by the World Cancer Research Fund that found strong evidence that the overconsumption of red meat causes bowel cancer. Past research has linked eating meat with other cancers, obesity and diabetes.
VHS is urging consumers to cut their meat intake to reduce the need for factory farms, take pressure off the environment and improve their own health. “Even having two meat-free days a week will make a difference,” says Fricker.
VHS’s advertisement can be downloaded here.
Denny’s Starts Using Cage-Free Eggs
Date: February 14, 2008<
HSUS Withdraws Shareholder Resolution
Just last month, The HSUS introduced a shareholder resolution encouraging Denny's to start switching to cage-free eggs. In light of Denny's move in the right direction, the resolution has now been withdrawn.
Following discussions with The HSUS, Denny's will begin using cage-free eggs. The restaurant chain is joining competitors such as Burger King, Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., in moving away from eggs from caged hens.
Just last month, The HSUS introduced a shareholder resolution encouraging Denny's to start switching to cage-free eggs. In light of Denny's move in the right direction, the resolution has now been withdrawn.
The Spartanburg, South Carolina-based chain's decision means that thousands of hens will be spared a lifetime spent stuffed inside battery cages where they can barely move.
"Denny's has taken an initial positive step by starting to move away from battery-cage cruelty and we hope that progress continues," said Paul Shapiro, senior director of The HSUS' factory farming campaign. "Given that other major retail chains that have made similar moves—such as Burger King, Hardee's, and Carl's Jr.—the trajectory is clearer than ever: the day when all battery cages will be empty is getting closer."
But some major chains are still resisting giving consideration to egg-laying hens. Wendy’s still exclusively uses eggs from birds confined in battery cages so small they can't even spread their wings.
Safeway Leading the Way on Animal Welfare
Date: February 11, 2008
Humane Society of the United States Applauds New Company Policies and Withdraws Its Shareholder Resolution
Safeway, the third largest North American grocery retailer, has taken a series of significant steps to improve animal welfare in its food purchasing decisions. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) applauded Safeway's announcement as a major marker for common-sense improvements in the treatment of farm animals.
The HSUS has been in dialogue with Safeway about improving its farm animal welfare standards. Last November, The HSUS filed a shareholder resolution on the subject. In light of Safeway's positive announcement, that resolution has been withdrawn.
"Safeway's new policies represent important progress on basic animal welfare issues and will positively affect many thousands of animals," said Paul Shapiro, senior director of The HSUS' factory farming campaign. "Safeway's move also sends a strong message to the agribusiness industry that it must rapidly move away from the worst factory farming abuses, such as intensive confinement systems and the conventional poultry slaughter method."
Safeway has adopted the following new policies:
- It will establish a purchasing preference for cage-free eggs, which is "intended to favor producers who are converting away from battery-cage confinement systems." Safeway further adds, "We hope this new policy will encourage the egg industry to move away from confining laying hens in battery cages."
- It will more than double the percentage of cage-free eggs it offers to over six percent of its total egg sales within two years.
- It will establish a purchasing preference for pork from producers that do not confine breeding sows in gestation crates, which are cages so small the animals can't even turn around.
- It will increase the proportion of gestation crate-free pork it offers by five percent over each of the next three years, to a total of fifteen percent in 2010.
- It will give purchasing preference to poultry slaughterers that use Controlled Atmosphere Stunning, which causes significantly less suffering than the conventional poultry slaughter method.
- Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway has 1,743 stores in the U.S. and Canada. The company's new policies reflect discussions not only with The HSUS but independent dialogue with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Facts
- U.S. factory farms cram about 280 million hens in barren battery cages that are so small, the birds can't even spread their wings or walk. Each bird has less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live.
- Gestation crates are two-foot-wide metal cages that confine millions of breeding pigs for nearly their entire lives. The crates are so restrictive that the animals can't even turn around for months on end. The animals suffer both leg and joint problems along with psychosis from this extreme treatment.
- Controlled Atmosphere Killing, a method of slaughter in which birds are deprived of oxygen, causes significantly less suffering than the barbaric but commonplace practice of shacking birds upside down while fully conscious, paralyzing them in electrified vats of water, and dragging them over mechanical blades that cut their throats.
Source: HSUS
Leading Canadian Universities Lauded by Humane Societies for Hatching Cage-Free Plan
Date: January 24, 2008
In a landmark move, Chartwells—a division of Compass Group Canada , the largest food service provider in the country—has announced that Concordia University and Simon Fraser University will begin using only cage-free shell eggs in campus food services in January 2008, followed by the University of Ottawa in September 2008. The Vancouver Humane Society and Humane Society International/Canada commended the decision.
Compass Group Canada follows the lead of Compass Group USA, who announced its cage-free shell egg policy in December, 2007.
“Chartwells is committed to reducing our use of eggs from caged hens. This is a first step for our company, and we're proud to be making this significant contribution to improving the welfare of farm animals,” said Ross Munro, President of Chartwells Canada.
Approximately 98 percent of eggs in Canada come from hens confined to cramped, barren wire cages called “battery cages .” Each hen is given less space in which to live her life than a sheet of writing paper. The intensively confined birds are unable to engage in many of their most important natural behaviours such as wing stretching, walking, dust bathing, standing on solid ground, or laying eggs in a nest. Countries including Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands have all banned the use of barren cages, and the European Union banned barren battery cages by the year 2012. Google, Amazon, Ben and Jerry’s, Whole Foods Markets and Capers Community Markets have all dropped eggs from caged hens, and Burger King and Hardees have begun using cage-free eggs. More than 300 schools in North America have either reduced or eliminated eggs from caged hens including the University of Guelph, the University of BC, Langara College and BC Institute of Technology.
"More and more schools are choosing not to buy eggs from caged hens," said Bruce Passmore, Farm Animal Welfare Project Coordinator at the Vancouver Humane Society. "We applaud Compass Group Canada and these universities for helping reduce the suffering of animals by getting hens out of cages, and we call on all Canadian schools to follow."
“The movement to stop buying eggs produced in cruel battery cage facilities is reaching a critical mass around the world,” said Rebecca Aldworth, Director of Animal Programs for Humane Society International/Canada. “We commend Compass Group Canada and these compassionate Canadian universities for making it clear battery cages have no place in the Canadian egg industry's future."
Photos and video footage available by request (chickenout.ca)
