The BC SPCA applauds the reintroduction of the Jane Goodall Act into Parliament today.
“If this bill moves forward, it will mark a very significant victory for Canada’s most vulnerable exotic and wild animals in captivity,” says Dr. Sara Dubois, the BC SPCA’s chief scientific officer.
The bill includes a phase-out of elephant captivity as well as greater protections for big cats, captive great apes and other wild animals. Support this legislation by signing up today for updates and make your voice heard to protect animals in captivity!
Full release from Humane Canada:
BREAKING NEWS 🎉 ️ Senator Marty Klyne is set to reintroduce The Jane Goodall Act today! The updated bill phases out elephant captivity in Canada, while providing new legal protections for captive great apes, big cats, bears, wolves, seals, sea lions, walruses, certain monkeys, and dangerous reptiles, such as crocodiles and giant pythons.
The game-changing legislation:
- States that science, empathy and justice require everyone to respect the biological and ecological characteristics and needs of animals;
- Bans new captivity of great apes, elephants, big cats, bears, wolves, seals, sea lions, walruses, certain monkeys, and dangerous reptiles unless licensed for their best interests, including individual welfare and conservation, or non-harmful scientific research.
- Bans the use of all designated animals in performance.
- Affords captive animals limited standing under the law and creates a permitting system for animal care organizations.
- Represents a unique coalition of government, animal welfare groups and accredited Zoos.
“The Jane Goodall Act is a significant evolution in animal welfare in Canada,” said Barbara Cartwright, CEO of Humane Canada, the federation of SPCAs and humane societies. “Protecting animals in captivity and in the wild signals an unprecedented shift in Parliament toward integrated thinking about animals, people and the environment.”
Stay tuned – we will keep you updated every step of the way!