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There are many ways that you can help prevent and stop animal abuse in Canada. You can also help make the lives of animals better in your area by donating your time and some of your money to local causes. Here are some suggestions:
There are many animal welfare organizations in Canada looking for volunteers to donate their time and talent. From walking shelter dogs to data entry to joining the board of directors or a committee, organizations can always benefit from bringing on board a committed volunteer.
Sometimes donating your time to an organization is not possible. However, a monetary contribution to your local shelter will help them get the supplies and resources they need to help animals in your area. Even a very small donation can go towards directly improving the lives of shelter animals by buying food, or paying for a vet check-up.
The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies has its very own Facebook Causes page. Here you can keep up to date on all of our work and new programs that we are undertaking. You can also make a donation to either the CFHS or other causes through this application.
Visit our Stop Animal Abuse campaign website to send a message to the Justice Minister today demanding changes to Canada’s inadequate animal cruelty law.
The federal Criminal Code is extremely outdated and does not adequately protect animals from abuse. Canada needs comprehensive legislation at every level to help improve and safeguard the lives of animals.
To find your federal Member of Parliament click here.
Most provinces have reasonably good animal protection acts now, although some still need to be updated and strengthened. So write to your provincial or territorial government representative as well to urge better legal protection for animals — especially in northern jurisdictions like the Northwest Territories, where animal protection legislation is minimal.
Local governments can also improve the lives of animals by changing their animal control bylaws. The CFHS has worked with the other members of the National Companion Animal Coalition to develop model municipal bylaws regulating the keeping of animals. Read them here, then see if your local bylaws measure up. If not, write to your city councillor or other local representative and ask for change!
One way that municipal regulations can be particularly useful is in addressing the cat overpopulation problem in many shelters. New cat licensing regulations, such as the model introduced by the City of Calgary, have helped to curb the problem of too many cats in shelters by helping more animals with their owners. As well, a differential licensing system, where owners of animals that are spayed or neutered pay a lower licensing fee, will encourage owners to spay or neuter their cats.
