Hard Working, Passionate Jane Thornthwaite Introduces Standards of Care

Jane Thornthwaite is working hard to keep BC strong,  communities safe, environments green, health care efficient and schools innovative. However, next Tuesday, she will take a break from her campaign in North Vancouver-Seymor, to be the lead-off speaker at the 2013 Regional Conference in Vancouver.

Jane is the mother of three and has lived on the North Shore most of her life. In addition to juggling priorities as an active mother, Jane's experience extends to consulting in healthcare and operating a small business.

The Urban Animal industry across Canada is all ears, because Jane was able to bring forward a private member’s bill, Standards of Care for Breeders of Companion Animals. This bill outlined standards that breeders in British Columbia must meet to ensure the welfare of animals. The legislation intended to strengthen British Columbia’s reputation in animal welfare and support reputable breeders while giving animal agencies new tools to shut down irresponsible breeding operations.

Jane brings her passion and experience to tell the story of how this legislation came forward in British Columbia. A number of 'breeder codes of conduct' have been stalled across the nation. With Jane's hard work, the BC legislation received the backing of all industry sectors. If selected, Jane's legislation could be promoted as a model Standard for Care in the rest of North America. It is certainly an important story for those involved in the Pet Experience Project.

Kijiji Thwarted in Attempt to Ban Pet Broker

A CBC report earlier today shows the energy some individuals will invest to continue irresponsible behaviors. Clearly, a positive pet experience is unlikely to begin with a delivery that takes place in a parking lot or with a purchase from someone that hides behind third party identities.

Sean McIntyre provides a compelling rendition of the problems faced by Kijiji across multiple episodes with one individual and shows how 'ban avoidance' occurs. Just how the industry can prevent these kinds of behaviors in Canadian communities remains a work in progress. It is likely to be a component of the conversations taking place at the Urban Animal Regional Conference in Halifax just a few weeks from now.

An obvious requirement will be collaborative enforcement activities across the industry and perhaps the kind of standards legislation that has been brought before the BC Government by North Vancouver MLA, Jane Thornthwaite.

Read the CBC Report