All of us feel the pain of every living creature on this planet due to the continued exploitation and suffering inflicted upon them at the hands of the human species. Anyone who knows me personally knows exactly how I feel on a deep personal level, as well as my commitment to the fight for animals everywhere.
Right now, there are major well funded, well established organizations addressing the needs of the voiceless around the globe, many of those orgs which are based here in Canada are part of this network.
There can never be any question as to the importance of the global mess animals are in, it is a sad and horrific statement on today’s society as a whole. Many of us already support the major orgs such as WSPA, HSUS, HSI Canada, IFAW and the like, we do this so that animals outside of Canada can be rescued, rehabbed and hopefully go on to live their lives in peace.
ANIMALS IN CANADA AND THE NEED FOR A UNITED CANADIAN ANIMAL WELFARE COALITION
For decades animals in Canada, be they Factory Farm Animals, Battery Hens, products of Puppy/Kitten Mill and backyard breeders or animal hoarders have suffered at the hands of those profiting from their suffering.
There are those abandoned, discarded like trash; there are those chained and neglected in the backyards of neighbors, those put into dog fighting rings; those who are beaten, tortured and far too often used to control family members. Every day in Canada an animal is suffering the agonies of the damned.
Every day in Canada the individuals who have dedicated their lives to rescuing, rehabilitating and the fight for improved Federal, Provincial/Territorial and Municipal Legislation are either out in the field doing the hands on dirty job of cleaning up the horrors, or they are pounding out letters of protest demanding that positive change be legislated to protect the growing number of victims of gross animal cruelty.
There are countless numbers of both private individuals and organized smaller rescue groups across Canada, located in every city, town, province and territory. All making their own stand against animal cruelty, all relying on their own individual network to which they may turn to for help.
For some time now, it has been recognized that there is a great need to unite these private individuals and small rescue groups. The larger organizations such as WSPA,PETA, IFAW, HSI Canada are well established, everyone knows about them, they have the resources and capital to send out their mailers, pamphlets and to solicit their countless donations. They have the resources to send valued rescue operations to countries outside of Canada and in doing so to gain additional support around the globe from caring individuals who wish to help animals everywhere.
Here at home, every day, the smaller rescue groups must do what they can on their own, for the most part, all are volunteers dedicated to making a difference in the life of even just one animal. Private citizens that care, will pick up that tiny abandoned pup or kitten, or will nurse back to health any animal that they may find. Private citizens will tap into their own personal finances so that this little one will survive and the smaller rescue groups will rely soley upon the financial and donated time of volunteers and whatever fund raisers they can muster.
As mentioned, for years, these smaller groups have existed and operated independently, often struggling to keep their heads above water, each acting in their own region and hoping to find needed support. Many have been on the brink of possible closure.
The proposed United Canadian Animal Welfare Coalition addresses the needs of bringing together all of these smaller groups. In doing so not only would their be increased support and networking, power would be added to the voices raised, the awareness of a United Front in Canada addressing the needs of the voiceless and the innocent could no longer be ignored. The fight to have improved legislation across this country has gone on for decades, each new bill brought before the House of Commons has been defeated by the incumbent powers.
As the Founder of Action for the Protection of Northern Animals, I am very excited about this much needed United Coalition, and will continue to be working very closely with Ms. Sarah West Founder of CFAWR (Canadians for Animal Welfare Reform).
I have in the past received private emails which have stated that there is a definite need for a United Canadian Animal Welfare Coalition. In order to get this off the ground, support, input and the willingness to UNITE is crucial. By forming the UCAWC Canada can lead the way that other countries around the world can follow. If we are successful in forming the UCAWC this would set a shining example that IT CAN BE DONE and other countries around the globe may follow suit, it is hoped that they would.
Canada’s history of unabated animal cruelty is legendary around the globe as are the antiquated laws currently in place. While I will continue to support some of the major orgs, I truly believe that Canada’s own backyard needs to be swept clean, that more work needs to be done here at home to do just that.
Ms. West has put together the following contained below as a draft, a work in progress….
It is requested of each of you to submit your comments and ideas after reading the proposal below.
United Canadian Animal Welfare Coalition
U.C.A.W.C
Mission Statement
(proposed @ this point)
To unite all grass roots and other provincial animal welfare groups for the specific purpose of standing together and speaking as one voice, for the protection and welfare of all animals in Canada through positive and proactive activities , action and education in all provinces and territories and lobbying for changes in federal animal welfare legislation.
- The mission statement will be carried out will be via a UCAWC council comprised of members from all provinces and territories.
- Initial activities are to create a minim team of 2-3 animal welfare individuals who can start to create a list of all animal welfare rescues groups in their specific province NOT including humane societies or SPCA branches ( as yet)
- This UCAWC council will not include major national groups such as CFHS Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, WSPA World Society for the Protection of Animals, PETA People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal AAC Animal Alliance of Canada, I FAW International Funds for Animal Welfare and others ( at this is point in time) to be reviewed at a later point when UCAWC is up and running
- The coalition hopes to recruit all groups currently in existence such as Paula Webbers group Stop Animal Cruelty in Canada and the group against Animals being regarded as property under the Canadian law
- Once contacts have been created and established a FACE BOOK will be set up for UCAWC and utilized to gain supporters, to educate and gain awareness
- All Provincial members ( contacts for UCAWC) will be administrators for the purpose of sharing provincial concerns
- One individual hopefully will come forward to host the face book site
- Once UCAWC has members from all provinces and territories a common Google doc can be created and SKYPE calls set up to “ brainstorm` re laying out activities and goals for a 12 month period
- It will be hoped that each Province may tackle one project or activity or smaller provinces work together on one project
- An example of this will be heavy SEAL HUNT protest activities and education via articles to the media and Press releases etc and presentations to the government
- Once this has been established a WEBSITE will be set up with contacts for all the Provincial council members
- Press releases will be issued to media re this
- It is hoped that all UCAWC participants will enjoy contributing their specifc and personal skills they may have and that a list of these individuals and skills can be outlined and sent to everyone
- When assistance is needed with a particular projects task or emergency then the individual needing help can contact the person they think can, could help
- An email list ( group) can be created so that ALL emaidl go everyone
- CFAWR via Sarah West is most happy to deal with media and send out Press Releases and act as a coordinator for UCAWC in some way
- Sarah West is moving to the Toronto, Ontario area within the next six months so will be much closer to political activities regarding animal advocacy
- When it is established with UCAWC members that we are all confident of our success as a united group we can look towards forming a board (who will also act as a council) for the purpose of becoming a NON PROFIT ( NOT with charitable status ) society
- Any one group or individual who may be involved on a provincial level with UCAWC but have concerns about speaking to the Government and or jeopardizing their charitable status ,can take quieter behind the scenes role
- Once a council has been created a consensus will be reached on who may like to contact individual MPs etc that can be invited to participate in and with UCAWC
- A CODE OF CONDUCT will be drafted that all founding participants and members will draft and agree and adhere to
Among other items the Code Of Conduct (TBD) will also relate to correspondence sent on behalf of UCAWC, protests, activist activities and confidentially when required, in order to protect other CAWC participants
We must ensure that all creatures are treated humainly and with respect. We must ensure all creatures have their own natural habitat in which to live in peace and safety. The laws that are now in place to protect animals are no longer adequate, and must be made tougher to send the message, that there will be zero tolerance on those that would torture and abuse animals. Countries where cruelty laws are lax or non existent must be educated, and made aware of the importance of preventing animal abuse, neglect and torture, and to put in place Laws that will bring violators to justice. This must be a Global effort, as abuse is a world wide epidemic.
Yes animal cruelty and exploitation, the global destruction of habitat is an issue that includes every single country around the world. Right now there are organizations such as IFAW, PETA, WSPCA and others that are addressing the issue on a global front. We all know about Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace as well. It is hoped that by forming a United Canadian Animal Welfare Coalition, Canada would become a much stronger voice in the fight for animals not only here in Canada but also around the world. If successful, Canada could lead by example, and it is hoped that other nations would follow suit. There are so many wonderful organizations already formed in other countries, as well there are so many individual entities (smaller rescue groups) in each country around the world that perhaps they too may become a United Voice in their home countries, and once established all countries would come together in ONE United Voice.
PETA I am told was started by just two people many years ago and look at it today.
Great idea, but it will be very difficult to get the various groups to join together. We need a strong united voice for change. Change is needed starting at the municipal level, as there are still many animal controls operating with antiquated methods where mass killing is the solution. There are also many provincial issues as well, such as the BSL in Ontario. There is strength in numbers – United we stand. Let me know how I can help
Thank you for you valued input. I agree that CHANGE is needed…on ALL LEVELS of government. It will be difficult to get the various groups together true, however it is definitely worth while trying to do so. There is power in unity, and very little power in single entities. One way you can definitely help is to get the word spread to your own contacts. The more people who become made aware of this proposed UCAWC the better. Please circulate the Post, you can copy and paste the URL location into your email, and ask your contacts to submit their comments just as you have. I receive alerts each time a comment is made and can respond as I am now or via private email.
Thank you so much. I will send you via your personal email the actual Blog post so that you can just forward it…that may be easier and I will include the link to it.
I think this is one of the best things I’ve seen in months and months!! I’m spreading the word about this. If we all unite, we will have strength. I have been at my wits end about how to get significant changes implemented for animal welfare and I feel more and more depressed every day. This is brilliant and it gives me hope!
Your comment is most encouraging and with others of like mind, we can get this off the ground. It may not happen in 24 hours, but it can happen if we can network and make contact with each other who believe that it can be done and want to be part of this. PETA from my understanding was started with just two people and look at them now. Yes, by all means get the word out, and refer to this Blog post, so that individual comments can be submitted. I am alerted each time a comment is made and am able to respond via this method or personal email.
The concept of a United Canadian Animal Welfare Coalition is a good one, because governments listen to lobbies that have large numbers behind them. The Mission and Guiding Principles will be very important so everyone knows what they are “signing up for” and to avoid in-fighting and mandate-creep. Your Mission as drafted and the points above are a good start as brainstorming but need more work to refine what this Coalition intends to achieve.
The challenge with a large, national coalition is to have a broad enough Vision to fit with the Visions of all the animal welfare groups, but at the same time have a clear and focused Mission that won’t be yanked in all directions by all the needs of animals and wants of the member groups. Animal welfare activities, as you likely know, are passionate and volatile and have very diverse views on what is best for the animals and how best to achieve it. We also don’t have a great reputation with the general population and governments, who think we’re just wacknuts, and groups like PETA really don’t help. I would like to see a new group such as you propose be well-regarded by governments, which does not necessarily mean they will do what it wants right away, but at least will listen and weigh its input.
I have been involved in several non-profit groups, most at the local/municipal level and one at the provincial level, and have been part of drafting visions, missions, principles, etc. as well as experienced the pitfalls of fuzzy goals, divergent values and trying to do too much. This comment box is probably not the best place to provide comprehensive feedback so feel free to e-mail me.
This is an excellent idea. I
This is an excellent idea. As our numbers grow, the holocaust being visited on the other species who share this planet with us grows and grows. I think we need to link climate change, agricultural methods like factory farming, poverty, water security, war, human rights abuses with the way the collective consciousness sees this world as a planet for the taking. We are the rogue primate and we need to change our outlook if we are to survive. Reverence for all life and humility in the face of nature is the only way out of this mess. By reducing the suffering of other species, we make our world a safer place for all.
Hi Calvin,
You have hit the nail on the head with your comment, that we are the rogue primate that has created a holocaust for all other species. I hope we can all come together to achieve change and this idea has such potential on many levels.
Hi Calvin,
Well said. As Anita says, you’ve hit the nail on the head!
Everything is interconnected and the more humans inflict pain and suffering on the animals and our environment the more harm we do to ourselves!
Terrifyingly , it seems to me, it’s the big corporations, without a conscience, mega dollars and excellent manipulators of the truth, where the biggest battles need to be fought and won! The concept of a United Canadian Animal Welfare Coalition may be just what’s required.
This proposal is very encouraging, exciting, and I urge groups concerned with animal welfare to sign on. There is no need for animal suffering at the hands of human ignorance and cruelty, and a united approach can bring about the kind of change that is desperately needed. Thank you, Bonnie and Sarah, for initiating this inspiring campaign, and our Animal Defense and Anti-Vivisection Society of British Columbia is honoured to ask if we may join with you all.
I have been working for over a year on a similar idea. Malones Magic would be a registry for Shelters, Rescues, Fosters and Breeders. Code of Ethics and minimum Standards would have to be adhered to. Regular inspections, yearly vet certifications for all, each province would have a chapter and staff would need to be hired to do inspections and monitor. There are the kennel clubs but they are just registries, too many good people going under thanks to the bad ones. Can we work together on this initiative?
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Having been active in the animal advocacy movement for decades it would be great if a coalition of groups could work together to bring about change so desperately needed. The Rabbit Advocacy Group of BC looks forward to learning more and uniting in this worthy effort.
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