Our Impact
More than 80,000 animal species range across Canada’s vast and varied environments. Unfortunately, many of these wild animals face threats from humans. Each year, millions are subjected to cruel practices such as the global trade in wild animal parts, trophy hunting, captivity, wildlife culls and more.
meals are converted to plant-based in Canada each year because of our work, ultimately removing up to 472,500 animals from the food system annually
in urgent need have been helped through our direct care programs
political reforms led by Humane World for Animals Canada will protect millions of animals from suffering
What we are working on
We create lasting change for animals by empowering people to take compassionate action. We support communities, governments, and organizations in making informed choices that improve animal welfare through guidance and evidence‑based policy advocacy. Our areas of expertise span wildlife, companion animals, animals used in research, and farm animals, enabling us to drive systemic improvements for all animals across Canada.
Tom and Pat Leeson
Humane World for Animals
Kristo Muurimaa
Kathy Milani/The HSUS
Photo by Meredith Lee/HSI
Brandon Laufenberg/iStock
Highlights of our work
After years of advocacy and campaigning, Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency decided to cease the use of the poison strychnine for killing wild animals, including wolves, coyotes and black bears. Strychnine is notorious for causing some of the most agonizing symptoms of any poison, including muscular convulsions that can last up to 24 hours or longer.
Following a seven-year campaign by Humane World for Animals Canada, the Canadian government banned domestic trade in elephant ivory and rhino horn, as well as the import of hunting trophies containing these parts. The landmark measures fulfilled a 2021 Ministerial mandate and were a critical step in protecting these iconic species.
In the wake of multiple outbreaks of COVID-19 on BC fur farms—and an incident in which infectious mink escaped from a quarantined facility—the provincial government announced a phase-out of mink farming. Mink farming is exceptionally cruel, intensively confining highly intelligent, semi-aquatic wild animals and denying them their most basic of needs.
Humane World for Animals Canada worked to help pass The Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act or the “Free Willy Bill,” which imposed a sweeping ban on the trade, possession, capture and breeding of all cetaceans for entertainment.
Canada, once the largest importer of shark fins outside Asia, passed a landmark bill that included measures to prohibit the trade in shark fins nationally as well as finning in Canadian waters. Humane World for Animals campaigned for the ban for a decade.
Following a longstanding campaign by animal welfare, conservation and First Nations groups, the Government of British Columbia finally ended the hunting of grizzly bears throughout the province. The decision eliminates loopholes that would have allowed trophy hunting of grizzlies to continue, while respecting the will of the overwhelming majority of BC residents.
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Latest News
Phoenix survived a devastating fire at a dog meat farm in South Korea, narrowly escaped being sold back into the meat trade and was saved and flown to Canada by Humane World for Animals.
By not requiring rigorous standards for the sourcing, care, housing and security of captive wild animals, Quebec allows irresponsible operators to profit from animal suffering.
As athletes from around the world compete on the slopes, ski trails and ice rinks of the Winter Games, some of the dogs at the Care and Rehabilitation Centre operated by Humane World for Animals Canada experienced the pleasures of playing in the snow.
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