Media

Humane Canada™ is happy to respond to media inquiries and can arrange comment and interviews with our CEO, Barbara Cartwright.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Darcy Boucher
Marketing and Communications Manager
Humane Canada™
media@humanecanada.ca

IN THE MEDIA

2021

  • Too many new pet owners, not enough vets make getting animal care a problem
    January 25, 2021
    CTV News
    Humane Canada says 78,000 cats and 28,000 dogs were in shelters across Canada in 2019. Sixty-five per cent of the felines and 73 per cent of dogs were either adopted or reclaimed by their owners. Read full story here.

  • Unfarming: New P.E.I. farm sanctuary offers unwanted animals a home
    January 23, 2021
    CBC News
    “We have certainly seen a growth in farm sanctuaries across Canada and this indicates to us a needed and welcome shift in the way Canadians view farmed animals.” Read full story here.

  • Courtenay-Alberni MP recognized for animal welfare leadership
    January 4, 2021
    Commox Valley Record
    “The passing of this bill was a clear example of what we can achieve when we work together. It is an honour for our organization to recognize the trailblazing leaders who worked tirelessly for over five years to pass this bill. We look forward to continuing to work together towards building a more humane Canada.” Read full story here.

  • Brock expert appointed to Canadian human-animal Violence Link Coalition committee
    January 19, 2021
    The Brock News
    “Dr. Coulter’s expertise in this field is invaluable in ensuring the CVLC’s ambitious plans continue to be driven by evidence-based research. She joins other distinguished professionals on the committee including representatives from the RCMP, the veterinary community, women’s shelters, animal protection organizations, the judiciary and the prosecution community.” Read full story here.

2020

  • ‘The reward is worth it’: For some pet adoption centres, 2020 was a banner year
    December 21, 2020
    CTV News
    “We know that there is some decrease in adoptable dogs and this is unfortunately driving up some people who are just looking to breed dogs for profit. We need to do our due diligence in ensuring that we’re not inadvertently supporting a puppy mill operation, because if the demand doesn’t decrease, the supply will never decrease.” Read full story here.
  • Education campaigns have drawbacks: prof
    December 17, 2020
    The Western Producer
    “It strikes me that if vets, farmers, animal welfare workers are all undergoing very similar stresses, that first of all we need to think about why that is because we’re all intersecting with animals, and second, thinking about the negotiation table, how challenging it is to come to negotiation if we lack communication, we lack understanding about each other.” Read full story here.
  • COVID surge in dog demand has shelters, breeders urging caution
    November 23, 2020
    CBC News
    Regarding adopting a dog from a humane society, SPCA, or rescue: “Several hundred applications for one dog, it’s not uncommon to see that.” Read full story here.
  • Spaying, neutering and controlling feral cat populations shows compassion
    August 12, 2020
    Assiniboia Times
    “The impacts of this overpopulation are serious and include cats languishing in shelters long term, or worse, succumbing to stress-related illnesses. For cats who remain outdoors, risk of disease transmission, as well as illness, injury and death are daily realities.” Read full story here.

  • Bill 156: Security from trespass or ag-gag?
    July 9, 2020
    The Lawyer’s Daily
    “Welfare and treatment of farm animals is one of the focuses of Humane Canada. It recently posted on social media that the fight is not over, “… we will continue to oppose AG Gag Bills that are already being drafted in other provinces.” Read full story here.
  • Pets, vets, vaccines and the pandemic: Animal and human health entwined more than ever in COVID times
    July 3, 2020
    Capital Current
    “We expected that there were going to be more animals surrendered to shelters because as people started to lose their jobs, …….we were expecting them to not be able to afford veterinary care, food and medication for their pets.” Read full story here.
  • Former staff, volunteers and adopters allege EJ Rescue hoarded dogs, hid info and failed to supply proper care
    June 29, 2020
    CBC Calgary
    “Humane Canada says there needs to be a comprehensive animal welfare law and regulation that governs animals in Canada“. Read full story here.
  • N.B. animals shelters struggle financially amid COVID-19 pandemic
    June 15, 2020
    Global News
    “Animal shelters have been denied local emergency funding for charities because animal welfare isn’t included in the funding criteria and funding shelters is not considered a priority. Read full story here.
  • The New Reality: The appeal of the pandemic puppy
    May 31, 2020
    Global News
    “Humane Canada reports adoption numbers are up between 20 and 60 per cent across the country during ongoing pandemic…..the breeders have also seen an increase in demand, with litters selling out months before conception.” Read full story here
  • More pet cats getting abandoned amid housing crunch: Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association
    May 31, 2020
    Global News
    “Extrapolating the data provided by Humane Canada projected that more than 600,000 homeless cats in Canadian shelters did not find new homes in 2011.” Read full story here.
  • PetSmart Charities of Canada announces $20,000 grant for animal welfare groups
    May 19, 2020
    Franchise Info
    “Humane Canada strengthen local support for communities through access to veterinary services, pet food banks, and compassionate boarding for pet owners suffering from COVID-19 or fleeing domestic violence.” Read full story here.
  • Should you adopt a pet during the COVID-19 pandemic?
    April 16, 2020
    Global News
    “We suggest people should have an emergency preparedness plan for their pets during the pandemic……the suggestions include preparing an emergency kit for pets.” Read full story here.
  • Canadians urged to include pets in their emergency plans
    April 8, 2020
    The Globe and Mail
    “Humane Canada suggests making sure that their furry friends observe social distancing from other animals and humans because in rare cases the animal can become infected as well.” Read full story here.
  • Canadians must include pets in coronavirus emergency plans, advocates say
    April 8, 2020
    Global News
    “Humane Canada, which represents humane societies and SPCAs across the country urges Canadians to consider their pets as part of their COVID-19 emergency preparedness.” Read full story here.

2019

  • ‘She will reoffend,’ say animal rights advocates after April Irving given lifetime ban in one province
    Dec. 13, 2019
    CBC Saskatchewan
    “It’s very easy for people who hoard or puppy mill operators to be charged and convicted in one province — and move to the next. And we see that very clearly in the April Irving case.” Read full story here.
  • The Pet Expert: New Animal Cruelty Laws Being Introduced in Ontario
    Nov. 7, 2019
    The Meaford Independent
     “Crown prosecutor training is a breakthrough for Ontario in animal welfare….. It will strengthen relationships between enforcement and Crown leading to more convictions for animal abusers.” Read full story here.
  • Ontario to introduce new animal welfare legislation
    Oct. 29, 2019
    CTV News
    “It is important to train prosecutors in animal cruelty cases……as it strengthens relationships between enforcement and Crown leading to more convictions for animal abusers.” Read full story here.
  • Ontario introduces tougher penalties for animal abuse
    Oct. 29, 2019
    The Star
    “The extra training for Crowns was hailed as a “breakthrough in Ontario for animal welfare” by Barbara Cartwright, chief executive of Humane Canada.” Read full story here.
  • Opinion: Why the CFL’s Grey Cup rodeo is a huge marketing blunder
    Sept. 23, 2019
    DailyHive
    “Animal welfare organizations including, Humane Canada work towards the ultimate abolition of the rodeo’s narrow cultural appeal.” Read full story here.
  • Humane Canada Applauds Passing of Bill C-84 by Senate of Canada
    June 19, 2019
    Canada Newswire
    “Bill C-84 gives prosecutors the ability to bring charges of animal abuse and sexual assault where in the past, they could not,” says Barbara Cartwright, CEO, Humane Canada.” Read full story here.
  • “Chicken Whisperer” Receiving Prestigious National Animal Welfare Award For His Pioneer Research
    April 8, 2019
    Canada Newswire
    “This award, which has been given out since 1985, acknowledges outstanding contributions to animal welfare in Canada…” Read full story here.
  • Many animal welfare workers suffer from compassion fatigue: Humane Canada
    March 6, 2019
    Global News
    “The people who work hard to help animals in crisis are becoming vulnerable themselves. It comes with sleeplessness, nightmares a general irritability and unhappiness.” Read full story here.

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