The CFHS was formed in 1957 out of concern for the welfare of animals being slaughtered for food. At that time there were no regulations addressing the slaughter of animals. The Federation took on the issue and was influential in the introduction of the federal Humane Slaughter Act in 1960.
The CFHS continues to play a crucial role in farm animal welfare in Canada. As a founding member of the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), the CFHS advocates for continual improvements to the standards for farm animal care that are included in Canada’s voluntary codes of practice.
The CFHS also campaigns for improvements to various regulations that cover the treatment of farm animals. For instance, our current campaign on livestock transportation seeks to end the unnecessary suffering of farm animals that are regularly transported for up to two days straight in overcrowded trucks with no food, water or ventilation.