July 7, 2023Cattle (often informally referred to as ‘cows’) are among the most common and iconic farmed animals. People who have spent time with them will likely agree that cows are valuable individuals with unique personalities. However, our limited exposure to cows encourages people to think they lack intelligence and sensitivity. If you have never given much …
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News Category: Farm
June 14, 2023The welfare of farmed and wild animals is connected in many ways. Just as some diseases can jump between animals and people, diseases can also move between farmed and wild animals. In B.C., our wild and domestic sheep populations are fighting a battle against a deadly pathogen, known as M. ovi. What is M. ovi? …
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News Category: Farm, Wildlife
May 8, 2023Update May 23, 2023: Over 4,600 people signed the pledge to not attend the rodeo events at this year’s Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair. We thank all those who signed for speaking up for animals used in rodeo! This pledge demonstrates that rodeo does not align with the values of many British Columbians. If not …
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News Category: Farm, Take action
March 31, 2023An update to the 2009 Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle (Code) will improve the lives of the more than 1.4 million dairy cows on farms in Canada. The updated Code includes new requirements for housing, handling, pain control, and health, among others. The BC SPCA, along with over 5,800 …
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News Category: Farm, Take action
March 17, 2023The BC SPCA works to protect and enhance the quality of life for both wild and farmed animals. We may think wild and farmed animals have little in common, but they face many similar welfare issues and are connected in a variety of ways. Farming You may be surprised to learn that wild animals are …
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News Category: Farm, Wildlife
March 15, 2023With Easter around the corner, eggs are a popular item in the shopping carts of many Canadians. Eggs are used for many Easter traditions, such as Easter egg hunts, Easter egg decorating and baking Easter recipes. Sadly, 71% of the eggs produced in B.C. come from laying hens that have spent their entire adult lives …
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News Category: Farm
January 31, 2023Every year, thousands of British Columbians join the BC SPCA to speak up for animals. “Today, we are celebrating the difference residents of B.C. have made for tens of thousands of animals across British Columbia and Canada in the past year,” says Dr. Sara Dubois, chief scientific officer at the BC SPCA. Grounded in evidence-based …
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News Category: Farm, Take action, Ways to help, Wildlife
January 23, 2023February 7, 2023 UPDATE: The federal petition to ban the shipping of horses overseas for slaughter has now closed. More than 36 thousand Canadians voiced their concerns. We still have not heard back from the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food regarding a progress report on the ban. We encourage you to reach out to the …
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News Category: Farm, Take action
January 3, 2023Approximately 82% of Canadians report that they are omnivores, eating both plant- and animal-based foods. In recent years though, an increasing number of Canadians are shifting their eating habits to include more plant-based foods in their diet. Concerns about animal welfare, human health, environmental impacts, and the rising cost of food are major factors contributing …
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News Category: Farm
December 9, 2022Anyone who has interacted with a horse knows they are magnificent animals. Horses have been a part of our lives for thousands of years as companions, working animals and athletes in equestrian sport, to name a few. Although horses are such well-known animals, the following facts may surprise you! 1. Horses can’t breathe through their …
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News Category: Farm