At GTHS, we know that the welfare of animals is a passion we share with our wonderful community. This page is your go-to spot for the latest animal welfare opportunities, whether local, provincial, or national. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of animals. Here’s how you can join us in this important mission:

  • Gather Signatures: Rally support by gathering petition signatures for laws that protect our furry friends.
  • Advocate Locally: Meet with town councillors to champion by-laws that benefit animals in our community.
  • Voice Your Concerns: Submit letters to the editor of local media outlets to highlight animal-related issues and raise awareness.

Let’s come together, take bold steps, and create a kinder world for animals!

Renters of Ontario: Humane Canada needs your voices! 

Did you know that over 60% of Canadian households consider pets family, yet many tenants with pets face rental discrimination? This leads to housing insecurity that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. 

Pet-inclusive housing reduces stress, improves social connections and aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals. It’s time for nationwide policies that protect renters and their pets. 

Use your voice to create a more inclusive and compassionate housing system in Canada! Your organization’s name has partnered with Humane Canada and MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith to launch petition e-5046 to the House of Commons. 

Add your name here.

 

Humane Societies Across Ontario Call on Province to Better Protect Animals 

The Ottawa Humane Society and its partners in the Ontario Animal Welfare Network are calling for stronger protections against animal cruelty and neglect.   

“The animals rely on a timely and effective investigative system to protect them from cruelty and neglect,” said Sharon Miko, OHS President & CEO. “The OHS and our partners are ready to support the province and collaborate on critical improvements that will protect animals across Ontario.” 

Under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS), investigations into animal cruelty and neglect are the responsibility of the Ministry of the Solicitor General. In June, an amendment to the PAWS Act, aimed at tightening restrictions on breeding operations, received royal assent. The OHS and OAWN applaud the effort, but say the government needs to go further to protect animals.  

The letter to the Premier can be signed here. 

 

PUPS Act keeps Pups out of Puppy Mills 
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/puppy-mills-ban-ontario-legislation-1.7049297 

June 6, 2024 was a day for celebration as Ontario legislation passed Bill 159, Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act, 2024, a bill focused on the eradication of puppy mills. Individuals now found to be operating puppy mills will face significant fines: a minimum penalty of $10,000 and up to $25,000 in cases where a dog dies because of conditions in the puppy mill.

 

Bill C-355: The Prohibition of the Export of Horses by Air for Slaughter Act

Bill C-355, the Prohibition of the Export of Horses by Air for Slaughter Act is languishing in Senate, even with the release of horrifying data from the Japanese government that confirms what animal welfare groups have been saying for decades: this practice causes enormous animal suffering. In fact, this data confirms that 21 Canadian horses died during or shortly after transport between May 2023 to June 2024, which is in stark contrast to Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) data that indicated only five fatalities out of approximately 47,000 horses exported since 2013. 

On September 24th, Humane Canada submitted a letter to the Prime Minister, calling for the immediate and permanent termination of the live export of horses from Canada for slaughter and for the CFIA to fully investigate following these troubling revelations from the Japanese government.

Add your voice to this critical campaign to prevent it from stalling in front of Senate by visiting humanecanada.ca/en/your-humane-canada/add-your-voice-petitions/ask-the-senate-to-ban-the-live-export-of-horses

 

The Violence Link

The Violence link is the relationship between violence against people and animals. Research shows that violence toward people (interpersonal violence) and violence toward animals (animal cruelty) are part of a larger pattern of violent crimes that co-exist. The Canadian Violence Link Coalition (CVLC), formed in 2017 recognizes the link between interpersonal abuse and animal abuse as well as the intersection of vulnerabilities in both populations.

To learn more about the CVLC, please visit https://humanecanada.ca/en/sector-professionals/violence-link-professionals

To learn more about proposed legislation on this topic, visit: https://www.torontohumanesociety.com/bill-c-332-protecting-animals-from-domestic-violence/

 

Not-so-unusual Animal Deaths at Calgary Stampede

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/posts/not-so-unusual-animal-deaths-at-the-calgary-stampede/ 

Three animal deaths in the first four days of the 2024 Calgary Stampede leads the Vancouver Humane Society to renew its call for the Stampede to end “inhumane” rodeo and chuckwagon events. 

 

Sign the Petition: Justice for Cats Tortured on Camera for “Fun” 

https://ladyfreethinker.org/sign-justice-for-cats-tortured-and-dismembered-for-online-views/  

Earlier this year, a person in China reportedly bragged about butchering several cats and said that he planned to adopt more and live stream their deaths, according to an article on Vice. Unfortunately, the brutal torture and killing of cats for online views is still happening. 

 

Sign the Petition: Stop the Culling of Millions of Street Dogs in Turkey

https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-culling-of-6-million-street-dogs-in-turkey

Call on the Turkish government to take a more humane and effective approach to addressing the stray dog situation. “Shelters lack the capacity to house all the collected dogs,” said Ece Unver, the general manager of the SemtPati Foundation, an organization that works to help the street dog population with the C.N.V.R. method, standing for catch, neuter, vaccinate and return. “This is why it’s expected that the majority of the dogs will be killed or die in overcrowded shelters.”

For more information: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/world/europe/turkey-stray-dog-law.html

Stay informed on GTHS events, initiatives and programs. Learn how the GTHS team is serving the pets and people of the South Georgian Bay Area. Read heart-warming Happy Tails about GTHS Alumni. See a lot of really cute pictures of dogs and cats!