WELFARE - Canadian Federation of Humane Societies Reports Welfare Agencies Underfunded

Canadians care about animal welfare.

Animal cruelty has been punishable under the Canadian Criminal Code since 1892, although Canada’s animal cruelty legislation currently lags behind other jurisdictions.

The animal welfare sector remains an important part of Canadian society, but according to a comprehensive report by the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS), the government consistently fails to provide adequate support through either funding or legislation.

“A well-resourced sector is essential to accomplish the task of protecting our most vulnerable animals from harm,” the report states.

Despite this need, and despite Canadians’ support for the animal protection sector, only 21% of 2014 revenue for the sector came from government funding and the majority of those funds came from municipalities.

The animal protection sector includes sheltering homeless animals, enforcing animal welfare legislation, and providing education and research on the links between animal abuse and the abuse of humans, including vulnerable groups such as women, children, and seniors.

Enforcement of animal protection and cruelty legislation varies depending on the jurisdiction, sometimes resting with police, RCMP or federal agencies, and often relying on Humane Societies and SPCAs.

Almost half (42%) of organizations in the animal welfare sector have a mandate to enforce animal protection legislation, with less than half of the costs for enforcing provincial and federal legislation covered by government funding.

This inadequate funding means that the majority of costs for enforcing animal welfare legislation fall on individual Canadian donors, who provide almost half of the funding in the sector.

Inadequate funding also means that the staff responsible for enforcing legislation are overworked and under-supported.

According to the report, “the majority of [Ontario SPCA] investigators work alone, covering huge territories and often working out of cell phone range with no information on the criminal history of those they are investigating.”

Just this week Zoocheck and Animal Alliance announced they have hired Mike Zimmerman, the former senior civil servant in charge of Ontario’s animal welfare legislation, to produce a report on the current state of animal welfare in the province.

“We believe our report will help the government fully understand that there are deficiencies in the system and take action to better protect animals in the province,” Liz White, Animal Alliance’s Director, said in a release.

Working as an animal protection officer is emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting and is especially challenging when legislation is lacking and funding is sparse.

The lack of funding is particularly shocking because Humane Societies and SPCAs are, according to the CFHS report, “the only Canadian entities responsible for law enforcement that are not fully funded.”

The vast majority (93%) of Humane Societies and SPCAs shelter animals, and in 2014 these organizations sheltered more than 278,000 animals at a cost of $118.4 million.

As well, 67% of Humane Societies and SPCAs offer humane education in their communities, which can provide critical early intervention to interrupt and prevent the well-documented link between human and animal abuse.

The animal welfare sector provides Canadians with a set of services that are critical for a healthy and humane society, and it appears government funding is currently not meeting the need.

By Tiffany Sostar

Tiffany is a writer, editor, academic, and animal lover who came late to her appreciation of pets. At 18, a rescue pup named Tasha saved her from a depression and she hasn't looked back. She has worked as the canine behaviour program coordinator for the Calgary Humane Society, and was a dog trainer specializing in working with fearful and reactive dogs for many years. She doesn't have any pets right now, but makes up for it by giving her petsitting clients (and any dogs she comes across on her frequent coffee shop adventures) extra snuggles.

WELFARE - Are More Regulations Needed for Animal Rescue Groups?

Rescue groups are a godsend to thousands of animals across North America.

(CBC.ca, Winnipeg seizure)

But all too often disturbing stories surface about animals being mistreated while in the care of rescue organizations – raising questions about whether there are enough safeguards in place to protect against everything from abuse to neglect.

Many critics argue the answer is no.

Rules vary from one jurisdiction to the next but often it seems cases where animal-welfare officials get involved stem from complaints bringing a situation to their attention.

For the most part, groups which typically see pets fostered in private residences, are not subject to inspections nor required to adhere to any minimum sets of standards of care.

And while common sense most often prevails there are times when volunteer-run organizations – faced with limited resources, at times overwhelmed by animals' needs or sheer numbers and given a lack of outside oversight - can run into serious problems.

In a Tennessee case, more than 40 dogs were rescued from a so-called animal rescue group and taken in for medical care.

In Nashville, the owner and operator of a rescue was investigated after complaints he “routinely failed to provide basic shelter, food, water and veterinary care to dogs” kept on his property and handed misdemeanour animal cruelty charges, according to a News2 WKRN-TV report.

Across the border there are similar, terrible tales of directors or owners of rescue groups gone wrong.

Not long ago, animal-welfare peace officers in Calgary laid charges under the Animal Protection Act against a rescue organization and its president after allegations “distress was caused to a dog over a three day period.”

Not far away, in another case dozens of cats and dogs were seized from a rescue farm with founding members of the group charged with causing or permitting animals to be in distress and failing to provide animals with adequate care when injured or ill.

Officials said one cat was found dead while 19 others were later euthanized for a variety of illnesses.

In one case, which crosses borders between Canada's Lower Mainland and Washington state, a rescue shelter's owner was accused of wearing a vest with the words 'Animal Welfare' while stealing a dog from a B.C property as well as allegations she had stolen dogs she then put up for adoption.

In Kentucky, an animal rescue owner was charged with animal cruelty after more than 170 dogs were found living in unacceptable conditions.

Across the continent, there have been cases ranging from hoarding to neglect resulting in everything from malnourished to gravely ill animals but many, many rescue groups do a lot of good in caring for animals until they are adopted.

But when issues arise it can be ugly.

And according to the Animal Legal & Historical Center at Michigan State University, there aren't a lot of rules in place to prevent issues from arising and they often are only discovered when someone raises the alarm - quite often the damage is done.

“While some states require rescues and foster care providers to be licensed and regulated under state and local laws, each of those states and cities may have slight variations on what is specifically required,” the center stated.

“However, a majority of the states have not created regulatory regimes that specifically define rescue organizations or foster homes separately from shelters and kennels. In many states, rescues will be lumped into the legislation along with shelters and kennels instead of recognizing the nuanced differences between these types of organizations. Foster care is usually less regulated than rescues and often monitored by the shelters, which have few resources to begin with. Many issues with rescue and foster care do not surface unless someone files a complaint with authorities.”

The lack of rules and regulations becomes even more of a concern as the number of rescue organizations appear to climb.

Brad Nichols with the Calgary Humane Society says he hears of a new rescue group almost weekly and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, according to Macleans magazine has recorded a spike in recent years of adults dogs imported annually for commercial use – typically by rescue shelters - the numbers going from 150 to 922 over a five-year period.

In Alberta, for instance, there are many laws to protect animals but not provisions for animal-welfare officials to keep close tabs on day-to-day operations of rescue organizations.

“While peace officers with Animal Protection Act appointments do have warrantless inspection authorities for any business with animals for sale, hire or exhibition...this does not extend to private dwellings,” Nichols, senior manager/animal cruelty investigations with the Calgary Humane Society tells InfoStream.

“Most rescue organizations operate on a foster basis solely from homes.”

While the rescues are subject to the same laws as any pet owner (from Animal Protection Act to Criminal Code,) “beyond that, there is very little regulation,” Nichols says.

In a recent Winnipeg case, more than a dozen dogs were found in horrible conditions, many in poor health and at least one deceased puppy.

The location was the home of a rescue group director.

That case is just another example for some of the need for more rules in the animal rescue realm.

“In Canada, there are no regulations at any level of government specific to foster-based (meaning in private homes) animal rescue groups. Anyone can set up an animal rescue, take in animals, and solicit donations,” a columnist recently wrote in the Globe and Mail.

“Canada does have a set of recommended guidelines for standards of care in animal shelters but those pertain more to bricks and mortar operations like humane societies and SPCAs. Each province also has their own general set of animal welfare laws but they often lack the financial resources and manpower to enforce them. And for home-based animal rescues, there are simply no rules and no governing bodies overseeing their practices, and thus, as it seems, things can easily get out of control.”

By Nadia Moharib

Nadia is an animal lover who has adopted everything from birds to hamsters, salamanders, rabbits, fish and felines. She has written about all-things-pets for years and was a long-time editor of a pet magazine in a daily newspaper which featured a Q & A column, Ask Whit, penned by her pooch (ghost written, of course.) The serial dog owner lives in Calgary, Alberta and most days can be found at a dog park picking up after her rescue pooch, Scoots.

Canada Changes Pet Food Importation Policy

As of September 1st, 2015 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) stopped issuing import permits for US pet food, treats, and chews that do not contain bovine ingredients. The affected products now need to have a health/export certificate that has been issued by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

For the time period between September 1st, 2015 to June 30th, 2016, APHIS will issue health/export certificates for the necessary products. These certificates will be based upon a notarized affidavit from manufacturers. Beginning July 1st, 2016, APHIS will issue certificates based upon their own inspections.

APHIS certificates will not be restricted to single shipments but all applicable shipments within seven days. President and CEO of the Pet Food Institute, Cathleen Enright, PhD, said, “The pet food industry is grateful for the effort by APHIS and CFIA to find a timely, workable process that meets Canada’s new import requirements without disrupting the supply of safe, nutritious food for Canada’s cats and dogs.”

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Canadian Pet Market Trends

The Canadian Pet Market Outlook, 2nd Edition reports that the Canadian pet food market in 2014 had the highest growth in the past five years. Key elements driving this growth were pet food sales, humanization trends, increased interest in non-medical pet services. Veterinary professionals continued to see fewer visits from pet owners. The Outlook estimates that sales in the Canadian pet market will rise to $9.2 billion by 2019.

Canadian Pet Market Outlook provides and recommendations regarding the future of the pet market in Canada, contrasts drivers and sales in the Canadian and U.S. pet markets, and pinpoints ways current and prospective players can capitalize on current trends and spearhead new ones.

PIJAC Canada Offers Pet Care Training Program

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada (PIJAC Canada) is offering an updated Pet Care Training Program. The program is designed for people that work with and care for pets and offers five species training series. Each series covers health care, disease and illness recognition, treatment, and identification. The Pet Care Training Program was created by veterinarians and industry experts. Graduates of each series will receive a Certified Canine, Feline, Reptile, Avian or Small Mammal Specialist Designation through PIJAC Canada.

President and CEO of PIJAC Canada, Louis McCann said, “Our goal for this newly revised program was to deliver a useful tool for pet service providers, rich in information that can be accessible anywhere, anytime, for years to come. Since 1991 our purpose for offering the program has always been to make available an affordable and creditable learning tool for pet service professionals.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PET CARE TRAINING PROGRAM

PEI Veterinarian Becomes President of the CVMA

Dr. Nicole Gallant from Prince Edward Island is the 67th president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). Dr. Gallant replaced Dr. Jean Gauvin who finished his term on July 19th, 2015. Dr. Gallant has been working with the CVMA for 8 years.

Dr. Gallant graduated from the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire at the University of Montreal in 1983. After graduation she returned to PEI and began practicing at a mixed-animal clinic. Dr. Gallant has been practicing at Kensington Veterinary Clinic for 32 years now and she became a partner in 1990. In 1988 Dr. Gallant became a councillor at the Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medical Association (PEIVMA). From 1989 to 2002 Dr. Gallant was the registrar of the PEIVMA. In 2007 she became the PEIVMA representative on the CVMA Council and in 2012 she became a CVMA Executive.

Dr. Gallant said, “It is an honour to continue my work with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association as its president. I look forward to representing the profession across the country as CVMA continues to be the national and international voice for Canada’s veterinarians, providing leadership and advocacy for veterinary medicine.”

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Will North American Shelters Run Out of Dogs?

The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) aims to decrease the euthanasia of adoptable pets in American shelters. In order to be effective, they need greater knowledge of the pet marketplace. Recently NAIA conducted some research on shelter dogs. It is difficult to quantify the number of animal shelters in the United States, estimates range from 3,500 to 6,000.1

Several decades ago overpopulation was an issue across the United States however it has been eliminated in several regions. Now that shelters are feeling less pressure from canine overpopulation their roles are changing. In order to continue to offer dogs to the public some shelters are now importing dogs 1. The public safety issues of importing dogs will be discussed in a future InfoStream article.

Why are shelters running low on dogs? NAIA President, Patti Strand believes that one cause the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC encourages thoughtful selection of pets, sterilization of all dogs not intended for breeding, and highlights the commitments required to be a responsible dog owner. While the lack of dogs has been noticed across Canada and the United States, animal rights groups are still trying to eliminte American dog breeders. The main issue with this is that it is nondiscriminatory and negatively affects both responsible and irresponsible breeders. Strand said, "These extreme animal rights groups have become so ideological and irrational that they would rather risk importing rabid dogs from Asia and Africa than support humane, responsible breeding in the U.S. so consumers can purchase the dog of their choice from a responsible and in many cases regulated American breeder." 2 

   

Dr. Emily Weiss from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) writes, “I do not think pets should be just for certain people (those who can afford a puppy from a high-end responsible breeder, for example), but for all people who want to care responsibly for a pet. The crisis is that we are running out of puppies! There are many communities that simply do not have juvenile dogs entering their sheltering system. This is great news!! And, this is the source of my concern. So here is where the crisis is – when there is a need, the void is usually filled. How do we want the void left by the lack of puppies to be filled? I know one thing we can all agree on, we sure do not want it filled by puppy mills and those who breed with no understanding of the importance of early socialization, proper nutrition and the like.” 3

Canadian Government Passes Quanto’s Law

Photo credit: CTV

Bill C-35, Justice for Animals in Service Act has received Royal Assent and been passed. This law allows for a maximum five year prison sentence and/or a maximum fine of $10 thousand CDN for anyone that kills or injures a law enforcement, military, or service animal. If a law enforcement animal is killed while working there is a mandatory 6 month prison sentence. Canada is changing its laws to better reflect the views of Canadians. 

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Happy Canada Day!

Canadians Celebrate 148 Years of Confederation

Since 1867, when the Fathers of Confederation signed the British North American Act, Canada has become a nation that is the envy of many other countries. 

Vast resources, a diverse population, amazing geography and a welcoming environment are among the elements that attract tourists and immigrants to Canada. 

Canadian contributions to the world in science, aerospace, medicine, resource processing, chemistry, animal husbandry and many other fields is evidence of the innovative people who occupy the second largest country in the world. View 50 Gifts from Canada or a more exhaustive Wikipedia list.

Canadian National Standards for Service Dogs

Erin O’Toole from the Ministry of Veterans Affairs announced that national standards will be created for service dogs that assist Veterans with mental health conditions. The Honourable O’Toole said, “We expect this work will confirm what Veterans have been telling us about the benefits of psychiatric service dogs—how these dogs have improved their quality of life. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting research to achieve better outcomes for Veterans with PTSD and other mental health conditions.” O’Toole also wants people to be aware of the network of mental health clinics and service points at which Veterans may seek help. A 24-hour hotline is also available that provides support to Veterans and their families.

National standards will help ensure consistency for psychiatric service dogs serving Veterans. The Canadian General Standards Board, Veterans’ groups, and psychiatric service dog training providers will work together to create the national standards.

The Canadian Government provides the following facts about psychiatric service dogs:

• Psychiatric service dogs are trained to help a person with a mental health condition by performing tasks in response to a cue.
• A constant companion, these dogs can help their owner manage many common symptoms of PTSD, and guide them away from stressful situations. They can also provide physical support if their owner loses his or her balance.
• Up to $340,000 in funding has been approved to set national standards for service dogs.
• The pilot research, which will include up to 50 Canadian Veterans with service dogs, is being funded with $500,000 and is expected to be first class and ground-breaking. The research could help set standards of Veteran service dogs and their certification in allied countries.

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CKC and Purina PetCare Canada Support Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides

Dog Guides-in-training Badger and Lila at the training centre.

The Canadian Kennel Club and Purina PetCare Canada have donated $29, 283 CDN to the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. The Lions Foundation raises and trains guide dogs for Canadians with visual, hearing, medical, or physical disabilities. Dogs are provided at no cost to the individuals.

Canadian Kennel Club Communication Manager Andrew Patton said, “CKC is thrilled to have been a part of this special event and is pleased to support the important work of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.”

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Senate Bill Introduced to End Captivity of Cetaceans

A new Senate Bill was introduced by Senator Wilfred Moore to end the keeping, breeding, live capture, and import/export of cetaceans in Canada. The Bill is called the ‘Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act’ and expands on a recent Ontario law that phases out the captivity of orcas. Currently, a license is required from the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to capture a wild cetacean. This Bill will prohibit live captures unless the animal is injured and requires assistance.

A press conference was held with Senator Elizabeth May and Phil Demers (former head trainer at MarineLand). May said, "The science is clear that cetaceans are deeply sensitive, social animals and that maintaining them in captivity can never replicate nature." Moore believes that keeping cetaceans for entertainment is unjustifiably cruel. Moore said, "In the wild, many whales and dolphins live in large family groups or pods which can grow to over 100 members each. The act of removing a family member and placing the whale or dolphin in a pool in a marine park is bad enough, but the process itself is disturbing and can lead to the death of the animal."

The Bill is supported by the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Zoocheck Canada, the Jane Goodall Institute, and Gabriela Cowperthwaite (director of Blackfish).

NEWS ARTICLES MAY BE READ HERE AND HERE

Nutram Pet Food Now Available in the USA

In the summer of 2015, Nutram Pet Products, part of Elmira Pet Products Ltd. will be offering its pet food lines in the USA. Nutram Pet Products offers:

• Optimum Combinations™; this ensures pets receive the maximum nutritional benefits of each ingredient, PLUS the advantages of their combination.

• Naturally preserved and hormone-free recipes made from all-natural ingredients. Never any corn, wheat or soy added.
• Complete and balanced nutrition that supports proper digestion and nourishes pets' total well-being.
• Food carefully prepared by their certified holistic nutritionist in their private Canadian facilities for guaranteed quality.

“At Nutram, we believe that a pet’s diet has a fundamental impact on their health, longevity and overall wellness,” said Kirill Tikhomirov, Vice President of Brand and Customer Development. “That’s why we’ve carefully thought out our ingredients and how they work together. Our products ensure that pets receive the maximum nutritional benefits of each ingredient, plus the advantages of their combinations.”

Nutram Pet Products offers three recipe lines:

• Nutram Sound Recipes: 100% natural, holistic and balanced pet nutrition for all life stages.
• Nutram Ideal Recipes: 100% natural and holistic nutrition that supports pet specific health conditions.
• Nutram Total Recipes: 100% natural and holistic pet foods that caters to pet parents looking for grain-free options that provide complete nutrition with low glycemic carbohydrates.

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PetLynx Recovery Meter hits 300,000

HomeSafe for Life™ protects 1,000,000 cats and dogs

In May of 2006, the HomeSafe™ Automated Recovery System was brought into commercial service by PetLynx Corporation. Using automation technology to keep animals HomeSafe for Life™ was years ahead of its time. Pet owners, the public and industry didn’t understand ‘apps’, the implications of ‘cloud’ technology or the importance of having a central animal record that allowed everyone in a community to help keep animals HomeSafe for Life™.

In the past nine years, the HomeSafe for Life™ program has grown substantially. HomeSafe™ now protects 1,000,000 cats and dogs, provides peace of mind for 850,000 people and serves 340 communities across Canada with 7/24 automated lost and found services.

Today four service portals provide application services for the entire community: Public Lost & Found (For the public), HomeSafe™ (For pet owners), ShelterLynx™ (For pounds, humane, rescue and kennels), AnimalTRACS™ (For vets, pounds, humane, rescue, retailers and other service providers).

In 2014, basic access to HomeSafe™ services (AnimalTRACS™ portal) will cost less than $40 per month with the subsidy from Pets Plus Us and PetLynx. Kijiji, Pets Plus Us and PetLynx are also collaborating to expand the HomeSafe for Life™ program by providing free lifetime subscriptions and 8 weeks of Pets Plus Us™ insurance through authorized service centers across Canada and online direct through Kijiji.

HomeSafe™ service centers work to build healthy communities for pets and people. They deliver existing Urban Animal programs and they develop new ones as allies in the Alliance for Urban Animals™. This willingness to collaborate, to serve the interests of animals, animal owners and others in each community positions each organization as a trusted provider of products and services.