Historic Win for Animals in Canada: Ontario Bans Invasive Testing on Dogs & Cats

This is a huge day for animal rights and long coming. When I was a teenager volunteering at an animal shelter, I learned about a horrific reality of pet seizure wherein shelter animals were taken for research.

I wrote about this topic in my book:_ A Voice for Animals_. I shared the devastating story of a beloved family dog who was seized and ended up in a research lab. Looking into the eyes of the shelter animals seen as legal “property” used for research and experimentation, left me feeling helpless and speechless. I could not forget this and wanted to do something to make a difference so I became an animal rights lawyer and now I am an animal advocate. We have a system that keeps research animals hidden behind closed doors.

Ontario has officially become the very first province in Canada to pass a ban on invasive medical research on dogs and cats. The topic that broke my heart as a teenager volunteering in that shelter is gone. This means laboratories can no longer subject innocent cats and dogs to cruel experiments. It also shuts down the breeding pipeline in the province I live in.

Reading this news fills me with hope for meaningful changes to animal protection and a shift in how our society values the lives of companion animals. But, this victory didn’t come from politics alone, rather, it came from_ _the public outcry of Canadians urging politicians and speaking up after an investigative exposé last year uncovered a secret dog lab in London, Ontario.

When people saw the sad reality of what was happening to dogs behind doors, the public spoke. We signed petitions, contacted the news, and demanded better from the government.  When we use our voices for collective action on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves, we can bring change and move the legal system to compassion and respect for animals. The final votes have been cast, and while the official paperwork is being finalized over the coming weeks, and we wait for Royal Assent, it’s a victory and it’s a step forward for animals.

AS WE CELEBRATE THIS MONUMENTAL VICTORY, NEWS OF A SECRET LAB IN ONTARIO TESTING ON PRIMATES WAS REVEALED AND LABS CAN STILL IMPORT ANIMALS FOR RESEARCH FROM OUTSIDE THE PROVINCE. ONTARIO LABS CAN STILL IMPORT DOGS AND CATS FROM OTHER PROVINCES, AND PRIMATES ARE STILL WAITING FOR THESE SAME PROTECTIONS. WE KNOW THAT PUBLIC PRESSURE CAN CREATE CHANGES FOR DOGS AND CATS IN LABS. NOW WE CAN TAKE THIS MOMENTUM TO SPEAK UP FOR OTHER SPECIES LIKE PRIMATES SUFFERING IN LABS IN ONTARIO THAT DESERVE TO BE PROTECTED IN THE SAME WAY AS COMPANION ANIMALS.

This victory proves that when we raise our voices, the government listens. Under this new bill, the government has left the door open to add more animals to the protected list in the future.

Today we celebrate this milestone. If I can look back at the teenager that wished that innocent dogs and cats were no longer tested on, coming full circle, I am filled with hope. Thank you for every volunteer, every advocate, and animal lover, for speaking up. We are creating a better Canada where no family dog or shelter animal has to face the horrors of a lab again.

I would love to hear from you. Let’s celebrate this victory, spread hope by sharing this article to your community, thank politicians and ask for primates to have the same.