GLOBE & MAIL

THE UN UNCONSCIONABLE SLAUGHTER WE NEED TO END NOW

Imagine this: Cute little dogs being bred on farms for the sole purpose of being shipped overseas to be slaughtered and fed as a delicacy to the rich.

But before they reach their final destination, before they are killed and butchered, they are stuffed into small wooden crates (up to four animals crowded in the tiny enclosure) for the often bumpy, terrifying 8,000 km journey – going without food and water for up to 25 to 30 hours.

Imagine if Canadians found out this practice was taking place.

We would collectively go ballistic and demand it be immediately shut down. And any government that hoped to get re-elected would act instantly. They wouldn’t take months or years. It would be shut down overnight.

So, what is the difference then between dogs and horses? Why does this country allow draft horses, think beautiful Clydesdales or Belgians among others, to be purpose bred on disgusting feed lots in Alberta and Manitoba, loaded into crates (as 18-month-olds) and sometimes forced to wait on tarmacs in minus 30C degree weather, before being loaded into the cargo bay of some plane and shipped off for slaughter?

P.S. Although we love this opinion piece and how much attention it gained including with at least one Canadian Senator – it’s important to note that NOT ALL THE HORSES BEING SHIPPED TO SLAUGHTER ARE “PURPOSE BRED”.  KEEP READING…

 NOT ALL HORSES ARE PURPOSE BRED

FOR SHIPMENT TO SLAUGHTER

BILL C-355 IN THE HANDS OF CANADIAN SENATORS

Even though not a single member of the Conservative Party was willing to vote in favour of Bill C-355 -- and every step of the way Conservatives fought to block Bill C-355 - designed to ban the export of horses for slaughter...

The Liberal Party persisted and Bill C-355  has now passed through Parliament - it is out of the hands of the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament and it is in the hands of Canadian Senators.

Would you, could you, take a few minutes this holiday season to send 11 individual emails to the Senators who serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry?

(OR FILL OUT A 30 SECOND FORM LETTER?)

After watching hours of presentations in the Senate, reading and re-reading transcripts we know those opposing the bill AND those in favour of the bill are assuming it will go to Committee after the break for the holidays. So we need to make noise – NOW.

 SOCIAL MEDIA WRONGLY BLAMING PM TRUDEAU 

 Recently on social media, we’ve noticed some advocates blaming Prime Minister Trudeau for the ongoing export of horses from Canada to Japan and other markets for the purpose of slaughter.

We are thankful that Prime Minister Trudeau and other Liberal MPs including MP Leah Taylor-Roy  brought forward Bill C-355 – a bill to ban the export of horses by air for the purpose of slaughter. (BILL C-355 DETAILS HERE.)

Actually, that’s an understatement. We can not adequately express our thanks to all who were instrumental in bringing the bill forward and all who advocated for it.  For example Jann Arden & EVERY single Liberal MP including PM Trudeau – every last one voted in favour of the bill to ban the export of horses for slaughter passing.

We are far less impressed with Conservatives who fought tooth and nail for this bill to NOT pass and who unanimously voted against it passing.

Yes, really, you can check the voting stats here.

Despite the fight Conservatives put up the Bill is now in the hands of the Senate and will be discussed further and voted on this fall.

In the meantime, what can we each do?

Reach out to Senators, if you are a Canadian citizen, every Senator represents you.  SCROLL DOWN for a CALL TO ACTION.

You have the right to speak up and demand that they pay attention to what YOU want.

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

CANADA SLAUGHTERS HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

It may be hard for some to believe that tens of thousands of horses, including pets, are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada and much of it is shipped to the European Union and other markets, including  Japan.

The barbaric slaughter of horses is currently not legal in the United States, BUT  horses, including pets and ex-racehorses, from the United States are shipped to Canada and to Mexico to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan,  to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air, is far from humane. 

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOODOne of the "good guys".  We loved all that MP Ben Carr had to say during the first session of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food meeting on Bill C-355.BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to...

read more
HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LIVE EXPORTThank you Humane Canada for submitting a brief on Bill C-355 for the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food.  Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.BRIEF TO THEHOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE...

read more
BILL C-355 AG COMMITTEE 1ST SESSION VIDEO

BILL C-355 AG COMMITTEE 1ST SESSION VIDEO

BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to allowing the slaughter of horses within Canada for human consumption -- Canada allows for the live transport of horses to other countries for the purpose of slaughter. Make no mistake about it, the way in which...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS OF HORSEMEAT

PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS OF HORSEMEAT

AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 

Quotes are taken from a review published January 26, 2023, titled

A review of horses sent to slaughter for human consumption: impact of horsemeat consumption, residual banned drugs, and public health risks

…the exportation of American horses across both borders for the sole purpose of slaughter for human consumption must end.

Surely if more people in North America and the rest of the world realized that horses and other equines are slaughtered for human consumption in Canada and Mexico, the slaughter of all equines would be banned.

Horses slaughtered in Canada and Mexico include horses exported in leg-breaking trailers from the USA for as long as 3 days without food or water or vet care.

The horses slaughtered include a small percentage raised specifically for meat but the vast majority are pet horses, rodeo and racing “stock”.

In other words, horses that have at the very least been treated with wormers and, in many cases, other drugs that are not meant ever to enter the human food chain.

And before you think it doesn’t matter to you because you don’t eat horsemeat…

In 2015 a study at the University of Guelph, sponsored by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found that horsemeat shows up on Canadian grocery store shelves marked as other than horsemeat.

In other words, if you are Canadian and eating meat you may be eating toxic horsemeat without knowing it.

Perhaps even more disturbing the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was quoted as saying, they were NOT surprised horsemeat is being sold in Canada marked as other than horsemeat. 

Food prices have risen dramatically since 2015, so it makes sense that food fraud may also be on the rise.  Purchasing a horse not raised for slaughter, a discarded pet or racehorse for example is far cheaper than buying beef cattle raised under strict protocols.

Keep reading to learn why millions of pounds of horsemeat produced in Canada is toxic.

Previous work showed that 18 Thoroughbred racehorses purchased by rescues that would have otherwise been sold for export for the sole purpose of slaughter to produce meat for human consumption were administered [highly toxic to humans] phenylbutazone.

“Horses are prone to developing musculoskeletal injuries due to their various roles including pleasure riding, hunter/jumper, racing, and other performance-type work.

The most common drug to treat musculoskeletal injuries in horses is phenylbutazone.

Based on the annual sales of phenylbutazone [commonly known as BUTE] in the United States, our group estimated that every adult horse receives at least 1 dose of phenylbutazone during its lifetime.

There are 500 pounds of dressed horsemeat per horse.

The number of American horses exported to Canada for slaughter in 2019 was 10,486; this translates into 5,243,000 pounds of dressed horsemeat.”

Given that the US Department of Agriculture does not have a system to remove horses administered banned substances from the slaughter pipeline, more than 5,000,000 pounds of dressed horsemeat sent to the EU and non-EU countries in 2019 were likely contaminated with banned substances.

“The FDA considers American horses as companion animals and as such all approved drugs can be administered. 

The “administration” of phenylbutazone or any other banned substance is not allowed in food-producing animals.

Both EU and non-EU governments have published a list of banned drugs and drugs with withdrawal periods.”

The magnitude of the issue is further complicated by the fact that Canadian residue testing represents less than 1% of the total carcasses tested.

You can read the full review from the American Veterinary Medical Association here.

Help support our efforts to ban the slaughter of horses for any purpose within Canada – including those imported from the USA. We are committed to supporting efforts to ban the export of horses from the USA for slaughter and… We’re also working to stop the inhumane live export of horses from Canada to markets like Japan for slaughter there.

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

CANADA SLAUGHTERS HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

It may be hard for some to believe that tens of thousands of horses, including pets, are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada and much of it is shipped to the European Union and other markets, including  Japan.

The barbaric slaughter of horses is currently not legal in the United States, BUT  horses, including pets and ex-racehorses, from the United States are shipped to Canada and to Mexico to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan,  to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air, is far from humane. 

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOODOne of the "good guys".  We loved all that MP Ben Carr had to say during the first session of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food meeting on Bill C-355.BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to...

read more
HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LIVE EXPORTThank you Humane Canada for submitting a brief on Bill C-355 for the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food.  Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.BRIEF TO THEHOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE...

read more
BILL C-355 AG COMMITTEE 1ST SESSION VIDEO

BILL C-355 AG COMMITTEE 1ST SESSION VIDEO

BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to allowing the slaughter of horses within Canada for human consumption -- Canada allows for the live transport of horses to other countries for the purpose of slaughter. Make no mistake about it, the way in which...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES
50 50 CASH RAFFLE IN AID OF HORSE RESCUE FUND

50 50 CASH RAFFLE IN AID OF HORSE RESCUE FUND

HORSE RESCUE FUND 

DEDICATED TO HELPING HORSES IN DISTRESS 

Horse Rescue Fund is dedicated to raising funds to purchase hay and other feed and to help offset veterinary bills for equine rescues and sanctuaries in Canada.

Horse Rescue Fund also recognizes the need, especially during these turbulent times, to help individuals who are trying to do the right thing but struggling to care for their equines.

There are many cases where what might end with a beloved horse or other equine being euthanized, sold, or relinquished — and even ending up being slaughtered for human consumption —  can be prevented by, for example, the purchase of hay or the payment of a vet bill by Horse Rescue Fund.

In addition Horse Rescue Fund supports efforts to help (evacuate, vet, stable, and feed) equines during disasters including wildfires, flooding, mudslides, earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

Once it’s safe for equines to be returned home, Horse Rescue Fund is dedicated to helping fund the transport of equines home — and if need be help provide replacement hay/feed and fencing.

Horse Rescue Fund helps equines across Canada but this raffle is licenced by the province of Alberta and tickets are only available online and only if you are in Alberta.

Raffles in other provinces are in the works, so please join our mailing list below to be notified when tickets in your province become available.

Horse Rescue Fund | 2467863 Alberta Society
is a registered foundation at the federal level with the Canada Revenue Agency and as such, they can issue receipts for donations received starting January 2023.  You can confirm their official status here.

Business/Registration number: 798022307 RR 0001

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

CANADA SLAUGHTERS HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

It may be hard for some to believe that tens of thousands of horses, including pets, are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada and much of it is shipped to the European Union and other markets, including  Japan.

The barbaric slaughter of horses is currently not legal in the United States, BUT  horses, including pets and ex-racehorses, from the United States are shipped to Canada and to Mexico to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan,  to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air, is far from humane. 

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOODOne of the "good guys".  We loved all that MP Ben Carr had to say during the first session of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food meeting on Bill C-355.BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to...

read more
HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LIVE EXPORTThank you Humane Canada for submitting a brief on Bill C-355 for the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food.  Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.BRIEF TO THEHOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE...

read more
BILL C-355 AG COMMITTEE 1ST SESSION VIDEO

BILL C-355 AG COMMITTEE 1ST SESSION VIDEO

BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to allowing the slaughter of horses within Canada for human consumption -- Canada allows for the live transport of horses to other countries for the purpose of slaughter. Make no mistake about it, the way in which...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

CONGRATULATIONS REBEKA BREDER TEDX SFU

CONGRATULATIONS REBEKA BREDER TEDX SFU

HORSE ADVOCATES FROM ACROSS CANADA & BEYOND WILL RECOGNIZE LAWYER REBEKA BREDER

Rebeka is the founding lawyer at Breder Law – Western Canada’s first exclusive animal law firm of its kind.”

We’ve lost track of the countless awards and recognition Ms. Breder has received and along with so many other advocates for horses, we have tremendous admiration and respect for the work she did representing CHDC in the legal suit against the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency).

We know you’ll join us in congratulating Rebeka Breder on her recent TEDX TALK.

REBEKA BREEDER TEDX SFU SPEAKER 2022

Visit the Breder Law website here.

Follow Rebeka on Twitter here.

 

Rebeka, thank you for all you do for so many – and for being you!  

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

CANADA SLAUGHTERS HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

It may be hard for some to believe that tens of thousands of horses, including pets, are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada and much of it is shipped to the European Union and other markets, including  Japan.

The barbaric slaughter of horses is currently not legal in the United States, BUT  horses, including pets and ex-racehorses, from the United States are shipped to Canada and to Mexico to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan,  to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air, is far from humane. 

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOODOne of the "good guys".  We loved all that MP Ben Carr had to say during the first session of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food meeting on Bill C-355.BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to...

read more
HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LIVE EXPORTThank you Humane Canada for submitting a brief on Bill C-355 for the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food.  Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.BRIEF TO THEHOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE...

read more
BILL C-355 AG COMMITTEE 1ST SESSION VIDEO

BILL C-355 AG COMMITTEE 1ST SESSION VIDEO

BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to allowing the slaughter of horses within Canada for human consumption -- Canada allows for the live transport of horses to other countries for the purpose of slaughter. Make no mistake about it, the way in which...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

ANTI SLAUGHTER BILLBOARDS

ANTI SLAUGHTER BILLBOARDS

THANK YOU WINNIPEG HUMANE SOCIETY

A very special thank you to The Winnipeg Humane Society for launching a billboard campaign to stop live horse exportation from Canada to other markets for slaughter.

Two billboards are now located on Pembina Highway and Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba to raise awareness of this inhumane practice.

Manitobans and other Canadians are urged to sign a member of parliament sponsored petition to support this cause, and to write The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (Canada) along with your Member of Parliament.

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

CANADA SLAUGHTERS HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

It may be hard for some to believe that tens of thousands of horses, including pets, are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada and much of it is shipped to the European Union and other markets, including  Japan.

The barbaric slaughter of horses is currently not legal in the United States, BUT  horses, including pets and ex-racehorses, from the United States are shipped to Canada and to Mexico to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan,  to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air, is far from humane. 

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOODOne of the "good guys".  We loved all that MP Ben Carr had to say during the first session of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food meeting on Bill C-355.BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to...

read more
HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LIVE EXPORTThank you Humane Canada for submitting a brief on Bill C-355 for the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food.  Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.BRIEF TO THEHOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE...

read more
BILL C-355 AG COMMITTEE 1ST SESSION VIDEO

BILL C-355 AG COMMITTEE 1ST SESSION VIDEO

BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to allowing the slaughter of horses within Canada for human consumption -- Canada allows for the live transport of horses to other countries for the purpose of slaughter. Make no mistake about it, the way in which...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

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