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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…
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 passed through Parliament - it was taken out of the hands of the Prime Minister Trudeau and Members of Parliament and it was put into the hands of Canadian Senators BUT...
UPDATE: Once a Federal election was called for April of 2025 the bill automatically came to an end in Senate.
So we start again... please keep reading.
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.
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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.
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Help spread the word by sharing this email campaign with friends and family! You can also support the cause by donating—your contribution will help fund advertising efforts to raise awareness and push for change. Every action makes a difference!
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
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“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, thank you for all you do for so many – and for being you!
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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.
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Help spread the word by sharing this email campaign with friends and family! You can also support the cause by donating—your contribution will help fund advertising efforts to raise awareness and push for change. Every action makes a difference!
The documentary film, “One Last Ride: The U.S. – Canada Horse Meat Pipeline” has been shown worldwide in the last 6 months – at various film festivals. Even more impressive it’s received rave reviews and awards time and again.
Congratulations to filmmaker Jennifer Osborne and to all the USA and Canadian-based advocates for horses who gave of their time so freely to help Jenn with this documentary.
Currently, there is a small fee to watch.
First, you will have to establish a free account at Filmocracy.
Click here:
https://filmocracy.com/movie/64623271-d418-4998-8243-c6f6695e58d0
Register. You’ll be prompted to fill out a form and instantly be sent an email to verify your account.
Once you verify you will automatically be on the correct page for the documentary, if not — while logged in to your free account click the link above.
USE THE PROMOTION CODE STAGE13 when you check out to receive a deep discount.
Again, thank you to all those who helped Jenn with the development of this documentary and thank you to Jenn and once again congrats on all your successes to date!
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Help spread the word by sharing this email campaign with friends and family! You can also support the cause by donating—your contribution will help fund advertising efforts to raise awareness and push for change. Every action makes a difference!