The decision of whether or not to consume animal products is a personal one, albeit one with far-reaching impacts. As an animal rights lawyer, you might expect me to take a definitive stance on the moral implications of that decision, and offer my reasons. Rather than do that, the idea that I want to put […]
It is the holidays, and many people choose to add a fur baby to families at this time, and it is a big decision. There are many wonderful companions to be adopted at your local shelters or through private rescues that can be found online. If you do make a choice to purchase your new […]
The question of choosing between a coffee-maker and your beloved pet seems to have an absurdly easy answer. Of course, you would choose your pet: they are a member of your family and are irreplaceable. Unfortunately, current Canadian law disagrees with you. In the eyes of the law, pets are nothing more than a piece […]
Farming laws in Canada set the standard of care for the 800 million land animals slaughtered in the country each year1. While most Canadians believe that the government ensures humane farming practices, this is regrettably far from the truth2. The disconnect that occurs between farm animals as a product and animals as thinking, feeling beings […]
Adopting a pet is a strong strategy to relieve feelings of loneliness. In addition, companion animals can have many positive effects on people of all ages. For example, companion animals can help elders deal with social isolation or keep them company if they’re homebound. Similarly, studies show that companion animals can help young children live […]
For thousands of years, humans have exploited animals for their entertainment. Zoos are a leading example of this type of exploitation. Exotic animals are often taken from their native habitat, or a falsely advertised sanctuary and placed in zoos far from their country of origin. Zoos operate mainly to entertain humans and can have devastating […]
Horses are gentle, intelligent, majestic, and loyal creatures who have served human needs for centuries. There is a special and trusting bond that exists between horses and their human guardians. However, the current state of the law in Canada and the USA betrays this special relationship. In Canada, selling horses for slaughter and their […]
Veganism has become more popular in the last few years and is becoming a mainstream lifestyle choice for many people of and is growing as a social movement that has drastically changed the fabric of the food industry. The term vegan is well-known in popular culture and familiar to all age groups and in particular […]
Animal companions are a great addition to the family as they provide unconditional love, companionship and bring structure and stability in our lives. Surprisingly, animals in the household can also be used as crime-predictors! In fact, many studies throughout the years, from 1997-2017 (described below), have suggested a strong link between animal abuse and domestic […]
Although there has been a significant improvement within animal law as it relates to the legal recognition of animals as sentient beings, a major obstacle still needs hurdling. In animal abuse cases, whether negligent or intentional, criminal convictions may result; however, in many of these abuse cases, the animal who fell victim to abuse rarely […]
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