Citing widespread public support—nearly 80 per cent of British Columbians believe laws should reflect the connection between human, animal, and environmental wellbeing—the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is calling upon the next government to build on recent legislative progress ahead of the April 28^th federal election.

“Elections are a critical time for animal welfare advocacy”, says Sarah Herring, the BC SPCA’s government relations officer. “Parties and candidates are actively listening to what voters want, and caring Canadians need to speak up so animal welfare doesn’t get lost amid all the other election issues.”

Specifically, the BC SPCA is calling for political parties to commit to:

1. Updating the Criminal Code to recognize animals as sentient beings, capable of being victims of crime, and making animal cruelty and neglect a crime even if it was not “willful”
2. Ending the live export of horses by air for slaughter overseas
3. Expanding B.C.’s mink farm ban to prohibit fur farms across Canada
   

To keep momentum going, the BC SPCA is asking voters to demand firm commitments from candidates. The organization emphasizes that the treatment of animals, whether wild, farmed, or companion—must remain a national priority alongside economic and social concerns.

For more information, visit the BC SPCA website.