Garth is one of the newest (and youngest!) animals at The Happy Herd Farm Sancturary. He’s someone, not something. That’s why VHS promotes a plant-based diet and cruelty-free living.
Making life better for animals now and in the future
On November 28, the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) and The Happy Herd partnered for Giving Tuesday to raise $10,000 to help rescued farmed animals and to fight factory farming by promoting cruelty-free living.
Thank you to everyone who donated toward our campaign, to our generous matching gift sponsors, Lisa Kramer and Mark Kamstra, and for each of the partner businesses who supported us by raising funds for this campaign. Be sure to check out our complete list of Giving Tuesday partners and show your support for these compassionate businesses that give back to our community!
At The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary in Aldergrove, B.C., animals are treated with compassion, not as the exploitable commodities we see on industrialized farms. When animals are seen as valued, sentient beings it’s clear each one is “someone, not something.” So shouldn’t we treat them accordingly?
That’s the question that underpins VHS’s campaigns for cruelty-free living. VHS volunteers are out on the streets and at events distributing our Go Veg booklet to thousands of people who want to live more compassionately. More people are joining our Go Veg Campaign and our Meatless Monday program every day and we’re helping schools, hospitals and businesses increase their offering of humane, sustainable and healthy plant-based dishes. Every year our bus ads prod the consciences of Vancouverites, asking why we treat some animals as friends and others as food. Together we are changing hearts and minds. Thank you for your support!
Petition urges federal government to lead the way with compassionate, sustainable food choices
It’s time for food services in Canada to provide more vegan options and a new Parliamentary petition is urging the Canadian Government to lead the way.
The petition, initiated by concerned citizen Fée Lehouiller and sponsored by Member of Parliament Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, calls on the federal government “to require public canteens under federal jurisdiction to provide a vegan option, and to raise this issue and work with provincial and territorial counterparts to require the same at all levels of government.”
We were pleased to see the petition cite a poll commissioned by VHS in 2015, which found that 33 per cent of Canadians are either already vegetarian or eating less meat. The petition also cites evidence from health and medical organizations, the United Nations, environmental organizations and academic researchers to make the case that overconsumption of meat is bad for our health and the planet, as well as for animals.
A major shift toward a plant-based diet is taking place and Canada should be in the forefront. We urge you to support this petition!
Vancouver Humane Society calls for Garden Bros. Circus performances to be cancelled
Society raises animal welfare and safety concerns
Vancouver – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is calling for the B.C. performances of the Garden Bros. Circus to be cancelled because of concerns over the circus’s animal welfare record.
The circus has performances scheduled for Kamloops (October 19), Vernon (October 20) and Chillliwack (October 22). VHS says it is asking each of the venues to cancel the circus’s appearance.
VHS says Garden Bros. has a poor animal welfare record, which has been well-documented by animal protection groups. Although the circus will apparently only feature dogs and ponies on its B.C. tour, it has faced past allegations of mistreatment of elephants and other animals in the United States.
A report by a veterinarian engaged by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in June concluded two elephants in the circus’s care were “…suffering physically, in a state of psychological deterioration, and compromised welfare attributable to their standard of care and living conditions…”
A PETA press release in September also reported claims by a former Garden Bros. employee that elephants in its care “…were electrically shocked backstage and left dripping blood from wounds inflicted by bullhooks…”
Another U.S. group, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, has published a report detailing a long record of alleged animal abuses, poor business practices and customer complaints.
In September, the circus’s performance in Winnipeg was shut down due to safety concerns, with media reports quoting parents’ complaints that the performance was a “disaster.”
“Clearly, this circus has a record that should ring alarm bells with the venues where it is scheduled to appear,” said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker. “All its performances should be cancelled.”
UPDATE (Sept 19, 2017): We are disappointed to report that the B.C. Supreme court has not granted VHS and the BC SPCA leave to intervene in the Vancouver Aquarium’s lawsuit against the Vancouver Park Board.
Today (Sept 7), as described in the press release below, VHS is joining with the BC SPCA in seeking to speak on behalf of the animals who may be affected by any challenge to the Vancouver Park Board bylaw that currently bans the keeping of cetaceans at the Vancouver Aquarium.
Sept. 7, 2017. For immediate release. Vancouver – The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) and the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) are seeking leave at the British Columbia Supreme Court to intervene in the Vancouver Aquarium’s lawsuit against the Vancouver Park Board. The aquarium’s lawsuit aims to invalidate a bylaw passed by the Park Board that bans the keeping of cetaceans in Stanley Park.
The BC SPCA and the VHS fully support the ban on cetaceans at the park because they say the animals’ complex needs cannot be met in captivity, which compromises their welfare.
Both organizations believe that if the bylaw is struck down, it could deter elected officials from considering animal welfare when drafting laws that impact animals. They say it would also set a dangerous precedent, limiting their ability to influence the drafting and implementation of laws affecting animals.
If granted intervenor status by the court, the BC SPCA and the VHS will submit that the Park Board is acting within its legislative capacity and is exercising its authority in the public interest, which includes consideration of the humane treatment of animals.
“If this bylaw is overturned it will not only compromise the welfare of cetaceans, it could undermine animal welfare across Canada,” said VHS executive director Debra Probert.
“The BC SPCA believes this bylaw serves the best interests of cetaceans. As an organization that speaks out on behalf of wild, companion and farm animals, we have a responsibility to support laws and bylaws that promote good welfare,” says Craig Daniell, chief executive officer of the BC SPCA.
The BC SPCA is the largest animal welfare organization of its kind in North America and the largest animal sheltering society in the world. The VHS is a registered charity dedicated to the humane treatment of animals. Both organizations are being represented by Vancouver lawyer Rebeka Breder of Breder Law.
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The BC SPCA/VHS application to intervene is available here.
Vancouver Humane Society to resume campaign against rodeo cruelty at Chilliwack Fair
Fair refuses to drop steer-wrestling and calf-roping from rodeo
Vancouver – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) will resume its campaign against animal cruelty at the Chilliwack Fair rodeo, following a decision by the Chilliwack Fair Board of Directors to retain steer-wrestling and calf-roping.
The Fair had stated in August that it would review the two events but today announced that it would only modify rules on how they are carried out, rather than cancel them.
“The rule changes will make no significant difference to animal welfare at the rodeo,” said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker. “Terrified calves will still be roped and thrown to the ground and steers will still have their necks twisted until they are forced off their feet.”
Fricker said the rule changes do nothing to address the fact that animals are being subjected to fear, stress and pain for the sake of entertainment.
VHS will resume its campaign against the rodeo at next year’s Chilliwack Fair. “We will redouble our efforts to bring public attention to the rodeo and we will raise concerns about additional events such as team-roping,” said Fricker.
The Chickpea food truck has been a big hit with Vancouverites, who have been lining up for its Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian food since it opened for business in 2016. Now, owners Rotem Tal and Itamar Shani have opened a restaurant on on Main Street that’s attracting diners with its popular plant-based comfort food. VHS asked Rotem and Tal about their new venture and about their thoughts on plant-based dining in Vancouver.
The Chickpea food truck has obviously been popular and successful. What made you decide to open a restaurant?
Having a brick and mortar shop was always our dream. We decided to start with a food truck so we could try out our recipes and gauge the public’s response. We were blown away and really excited by the immediate positive reactions to our food and the Chickpea culture. So moving to a restaurant happened sooner than expected.
You recently announced on your website that the restaurant had “gone vegan” and removed all eggs from the menu. What prompted the change?
We both grew up in households where meat was a main ingredient. Individually, through our own personal experiences we each became vegetarian, however. As our business began to grow, so did our research into ethical and sustainable practices. Months ago we removed dairy from our truck’s menu, so it seemed only natural to remove all animal products and by-products from Chickpea before opening the restaurant. We care very much about how our business impacts our community and the world as a whole.
You describe Chickpea’s cuisine as “delicious vegetarian comfort food with a Mediterranean twist.” How have Vancouver diners reacted to your menu?
Now we’re vegan comfort food 😉
The responses have always been positive. There was a bit of an uproar when we removed eggs from our Shakshuka (a dish that traditionally is made with eggs). But overall, people like our food regardless of their dietary restrictions, preferences or practices. In fact we hear a lot of meat-eaters telling us that they didn’t even notice that our meals are all plant-based.
Are there any dishes that have proven to be particularly popular?
Our Falafel Pita is a truck and restaurant favourite, and our chickpea fries seem to be taking Vancouver by storm. If you’re at the restaurant we’re currently obsessed with the Shakshuka Chickpea fries.
How would you describe the typical Chickpea customer? Is there a predominant demographic?
One thing we love about Chickpea is that both our truck and restaurant see customers of all different walks of life. We feed adorable children, serious business people, colourful hippies, cute old couples, proud vegans, and everyone in-between. Our customers are united by their desire for delicious food and good vibes.
Do you think vegan and vegetarian food is becoming more mainstream in Vancouver? If so, why?
Globally, we are becoming more aware of our impact on the world and how we’ve lost touch with our roots. As we move together as a community to reduce our carbon footprint, our eating habits play an important role. Vancouver is constantly working towards becoming more environmentally conscious, so it makes sense that more people are reducing or eliminating their animal product/by-product consumption.
What have you enjoyed most about launching and building Chickpea as a business?
Chickpea is more than just food. We’ve worked hard to create a business that reflects our desire to promote love, joy and creative inspiration. As a result, it’s been an absolute pleasure meeting new people who also care deeply about our planet and connecting with one another. Also, through the truck we’ve been exposed to some really cool local initiatives and events. In addition, we continue to love creating a family with our staff, customers and community members.
What have the biggest challenges been?
Anyone who’s started a business knows how all encompassing it is. Before Chickpea, we were both really good at taking time for ourselves and spending time with our family and friends. We’re working hard to regain that balance.
Do you have plans to expand Chickpea further? What are your goals for the future?
We are always discussing Chickpea’s future and new goals for the business. However, going back to our biggest challenges, for now we’re quite focused on having more quality time spent in nature with family and friends.
What would you say to skeptical carnivores to convince them to try Chickpea?
Carnivores regularly eat at Chickpea. So instead of trying to convince them, we’re happy that we can show how accessible and delicious meat-less meals are.
Chickpea is located at 4298 Main Street, Vancouver. (604) 620-0602 info@ilovechickpea.ca
There are few think tanks as serious and sober as Canada’s Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) and the same could be said for its digital magazine Policy Options. Yet in July, there among the magazine’s weighty articles on economic productivity, NAFTA, and pension reform, was a piece titled “Plant-based diet should be central to national food policy”.
Such headlines used to be the preserve of animal-rights pamphlets and vegan websites, but during the last decade the case for a plant-based diet has entered new realms, gaining increased credibility along the way.
The Policy Options article, written by economist and agronomist Jean-Pierre Kiekens, argues that: “Changing our food habits would bring huge benefits, including disease prevention, healthy longevity, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. The federal government is currently in the midst of a public consultation on a national food policy—it should consider a vigorous promotion of a plant-based diet.”
The arguments for eating less meat are not new, of course, but the sheer weight of evidence in favour of a shift away from animal protein has propelled the case for dietary change from the fringes of public discourse into the mainstream.
The scientific evidence establishing the environmental impact of global meat production has been clear ever since the United Nations published its landmark report Livestock’s Long Shadow in 2006, which concluded: “The livestock sector emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global.”
As the environmental studies on the impact of livestock production have piled up, so has the evidence of health risks associated with red meat consumption.
Meanwhile, the dismal animal welfare record of industrialized agriculture is regularly exposed to public scrutiny by many undercover investigations carried out by animal rights groups.
While the downsides of meat consumption and production have accumulated, the benefits of a plant-based diet have attracted more attention—and not just from foodies, vegan bloggers, and fad-following celebrities. Now, it’s health professionals, chefs, environmentalists, entrepreneurs, scientists, and investors who are promoting the shift toward meatless meals. Even the federal government is proposing to encourage Canadians to adopt a more plant-based diet in the new Canada Food Guide.
The American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada have long supported a vegetarian diet as healthy but now mainstream medical groups are starting to adopt similar positions. In 2014, Dr. Kim A. Williams, President of the American College of Cardiology, made news when he revealed that he was vegan and recommended plant-based foods to his patients.
The trend has also brought economic opportunities, with plant-based start-ups emerging everywhere. Last year, a group of 40 investors managing $1.25 trillion in assets launched a campaign to encourage 16 global food companies to diversify into plant-based protein. In the U.S., the new Plant Based Food Association, with more than 80 company members, is set to challenge the lobbying power of the American meat industry.
As plant-based eating goes mainstream, the old image of healthy but bland hippie food has faded. Meatless cuisine has become popular and fashionable, and has even entered the upscale dining scene. A Washington Post food critic, in a glowing review of plant-based fine dining in Los Angeles, concluded: “Much of the meatless food I’ve been eating of late has been alarmingly good.”
Here in Vancouver, there has been a proliferation of plant-based eateries. A directory published by Earthsave Canada lists more than 115 vegan, vegetarian, and “veg-friendly” restaurants, cafés, and other retailers in Metro Vancouver. Meanwhile, 11 Vancouver schools have adopted Meatless Monday programs and the University of British Columbia recently launched Canada’s first plant-based culinary training summit for chefs and food service professionals. In June, four Metro Vancouver cities attracted praise from Sir Paul McCartney for endorsing Meatless Monday.
Meat is not about to disappear from our tables anytime soon, but there’s little doubt that the plant-based diet is an idea whose time has come. A growing number of plant-based food enthusiasts, from cooks to consumers, have seen the future—and it tastes good.
The city of Chilliwack has made national headlines recently, but for all the wrong reasons.
In June, animal rights group Mercy for Animals released undercover video showing alleged abuse of chickens by employees of Chilliwack-based company Elite Farm Services at several poultry facilities. B.C. SPCA officials said the footage, which allegedly showed workers throwing and hitting chickens, simulating sexual acts with them and letting some injured birds slowly die on the ground, was “absolutely sickening.”
In May, several employees of dairy farm operator Chilliwack Cattle Sales were sentenced to jail for abusing cows in another shocking animal cruelty case. Undercover video showed employees punching and kicking cows and striking them with canes and chains.
It is unfortunate that, because of these cases, many people across the country may only know the name Chilliwack because of media coverage of animal cruelty.
But now the city finds itself embroiled in another animal welfare controversy, this time involving a dispute over the rodeo at the annual Chilliwack Fair. The Vancouver Humane Society, as part of its campaign against the rodeo, released photos from last year’s fair showing calves with ropes tight around their necks, tongues hanging out, as they are pulled off their feet and thrown to the ground. Steers are shown having their necks twisted until they are bent completely over. The humane society says the photos are evidence of inhumane treatment of the animals and is calling on the fair to eliminate calf-roping and steer-wrestling. The fair’s management has agreed to review the events and its board will vote in September on whether to cancel them for next year’s rodeo.
The issue of animal cruelty at rodeos is not new to B.C. In 2007, the Cloverdale Rodeo dropped calf-roping and several other events following the death of a calf and a long humane society campaign against the rodeo. In 2015, the Luxton Rodeo near Victoria folded, followed by the Abbotsford Rodeo in 2016, both after humane society campaigns.
It’s clear that on the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island at least, rodeos have lost public support. A 2015 survey by polling company Insights West found that 63 per cent of B.C. residents are opposed to rodeos.
The Chilliwack Fair must weigh up all the arguments and evidence concerning animal welfare at rodeos, including the photographic evidence from last year’s rodeo. It should also take into account the public disquiet over the treatment of rodeo animals that has been so clearly demonstrated by the demise of other local rodeos.
The fair also has an opportunity to undo some of the damage done to Chilliwack’s reputation by those recent high-profile animal cruelty cases. By voting to end calf-roping and steer-wrestling, the fair’s board, would make a strong statement that Chilliwack cares about animal welfare and that it supports the evolution of rodeo toward a more humane form of entertainment. It could show that it supports the kind of family-friendly, non-controversial events that people in the Lower Mainland want, not outdated spectacles of animal abuse.
If, on the other hand, the board votes to retain the two controversial events, it will signal that it doesn’t care what happens to the animals and it doesn’t care what many compassionate Canadians feel about rodeos.
A recent editorial in a local Chilliwack newspaper advised the board to rely on more than emotional observations and “outside complaints” when it makes its decision in September. To take an insular, mind-your-own-business position would make the board, and by extension the community of Chilliwack, look out-of-touch, parochial and backward. Is that the face a 21st century community wants to show visitors, investors and the rest of the country?
The Chilliwack Fair needs to stand up for animals — and for the reputation of its city.
Vancouver – The City of Vancouver has proclaimed May 15 Meatless Monday and the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is calling on other Metro Vancouver municipalities to join the Meatless Monday movement with their own proclamations of support.
A number of institutions throughout Metro Vancouver are participating in the movement, including ten schools offering meatless dishes on their Monday menus. VHS has supported student groups and food service providers in bringing the initiative to their cafeterias by sharing tips, best practices and resources and helping to promote the concept.
Meatless Monday is a global initiative, active in more than 30 countries and growing in popularity in Metro Vancouver. The campaign is aimed at increasing awareness about the impact of food choices and improving access to humane, healthy and sustainable food options.
VHS has written to mayors and councils in Metro Vancouver, explaining the concept and encouraging them to pass a similar proclamation in solidarity with not only the City of Vancouver, but also the schools, organizations and residents who are actively participating.
“We’re thrilled that Vancouver is supporting this initiative. As a city committed to developing food systems that are sustainable and that support community well-being, Vancouver is taking a step in the right direction,” said Emily Pickett, VHS’s Program Coordinator. “This also serves as an inspiration for those looking to do their part to help tackle issues like factory farming, climate change and public health.
“Every time we sit down to eat, we have the chance to stand up for a kinder, cleaner and healthier community. This is what Meatless Monday is all about and we’re encouraging Metro Vancouver residents to join us on Monday, May 15 in this effort.”
Calf-roping and steer-wrestling are two of the worst rodeo events
In response to VHS’s campaign and the release of photos raising concerns about steer-wrestling and calf-roping at the Chilliwack Fair rodeo, the Fair has agreed to review the two rodeo events, including potentially cancelling them for the 2018 rodeo.
VHS has issued the following news release in response to the Fair’s announcement:
Media release
July 31, 2017
Vancouver Humane Society welcomes Chilliwack Fair decision to review rodeo events
Review to determine whether calf-roping and steer-wrestling should be canceled
Vancouver – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has welcomed a statement issued today by the Chilliwack Fair that it will review the calf-roping and steer-wrestling events at its annual rodeo “to determine whether such events are suitable to continue in the 2018 Chilliwack Fair.”
“We are pleased that the Chilliwack Fair has listened to our concerns and the concerns of many people who object to these inhumane events,” said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker. “We urge the Fair’s board to cancel these events when it votes on this matter in September. “It would be a major step forward in the evolution of rodeo toward a more acceptable form of entertainment.”
Fricker said VHS remains opposed to rodeo in principle but welcomes the Chilliwack Fair’s willingness to at least address concerns over these highly controversial events.
