Help Put an End to Puppy Mills in Canada

Hello,

Together with donors and supporters, Humane Canada has been a tireless advocate in the fight to put an end to the cruelty of puppy mills.  We understand that government will play a significant role in ensuring that laws and enforcement support this important work across Canada.  During the recent election campaign, we saw our efforts realized as one of our major parties promised to ban puppy mills and included our recommendations to stop the import of animals bred inhumanely and to strengthen the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s ability to enforce current regulations and seize animals when imported under poor welfare conditions.  

The elected Liberal government also made several promises to support the welfare of animals.  These animal welfare inclusions marked a historical milestone.  This was the first time in known history that animal welfare has made it into any political party platform, and we saw all major party platforms include animal provisions in their campaigns. This is a significant indication that politicians are now recognizing that issues like puppy mills are important topics that Canadians truly care about.   

Humane Canada continues to speak up for animals and we have made several policy recommendations to political stakeholders to address the issue of puppy mills in Canada. Our proposed solutions to tackle the low-welfare, high volume supply of puppies, recognizing that more oversight and effective laws around breeding, selling, importing, and transporting companion animals are required including:  

• Banning commercial third-party sale in Canada; directing people to buy direct from a licenced breeder or adopt from a rescue or animal shelter.
• Ban the commercial importation of puppies into Canada. 
• Strengthen CFIA resources to enforce current regulations and seize animals when imported under poor welfare conditions.
• Regulations to address on-line pet scams and false claims. 

58% of Canadian households have a dog or cat. There are 7.7 million owned dogs in Canada.  Demand for companion animals, and in particular for dogs, surged during the Covid 19 pandemic further fuelling animal welfare concerns involved in the international and Canadian puppy mill market.  

With your ongoing support Humane Canada will continue its crusade to end puppy mills in Canada. In addition to our legal and enforcement work, we are educating the public in partnership with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, to encourage Canadians to be diligent when searching for a dog, to empower and educate the public to watch for red flags and not inadvertently support a puppy mill or puppy broker. 
 
Thank you foryour ongoing support of our crusade to end puppy mills in Canada.