animal rights


Writing About Animals workshop in Toronto October 4th

Attention Aspiring & Established Writers Writing about Animals Workshop with Nadja Lubiw-Hazard Author / veterinarian / Zoocheck board member October 4, 2023, Toronto, Ontario Writing Animals is a facilitated creative writing workshop designed for people (youth and adults) who are curious, passionate, or excited about animals and want to discover […]


NO PLACE FOR A SLOTH!

Guest commentary by Kira Pedersen  (July 2023) I recently visited a mobile zoo exhibit where, among other animals, I met a sloth for the first time and it wasn’t fun. While it was a miserable experience for me, it was undoubtedly worse for the sloth. The traveling animal show was […]


Essential Reading for Wildlife Ethusiasts

The Subjugation of Canadian Wildlife, Failures of Principle and Policy is a must read book by long-time Zoocheck friend Max Foran and it’s one of the best books ever explaining why Canadian wildlife is treated like it is today. It should be required reading in every university and college wildlife […]


Reflections on Captive Fish Prompted by New Quebec Aquarium Proposal

Opinion commentary by Rob Laidlaw (May 31, 2023) (scroll to bottom to see text of December 11, 2022 Facebook post about proposed aquarium) As a young child I developed a fascination with wildlife of all kinds. At some point that I can’t remember I became particularly interested in fish and […]


Why does Ontario want more penned hunting compounds?

COMMENTS NEEDED BY MAY 18, 2023 The Ontario government’s proposed expansion of hunting dog training and trialing compounds (penned hunting) is another nonsensical and disturbing wildlife use development that should not be supported by anyone, including hunters who consider themselves ethical. The expansion of dog training and trialing compounds is […]


New scientific paper on MLAPs (Mobile Live Animal Programs)

Click here to read Mobile Zoos and Other Itinerant Animal Handling Events: Current Status and Recommendations for Future Policies (2023) MLAPs in many parts of Canada, and particularly Ontario are either loosely regulated or not regulated at all. There are hundreds of businesses, ranging from small, one person, part-time operations […]


London votes against bylaw amendments for Reptilia

We’re pleased to report that on February 14 2023 London City Council voted 9 – 6 against moving forward with a Reptilia exemption to London’s animal control bylaw and the creation of a business licensing category for exotic animal establishments. This is a very positive development for reptiles and other […]


St. Catharines City Council says NO to Reptilia on Dec 12th

We’re pleased to report that St. Catharines City Council voted unanimously to reject Reptilia’s request for an exemption to its animal control bylaw at its December 12th meeting.This is a significant step forward in the protection of reptiles and amphibians in Ontario. Reptilia is a commercial reptile zoo business that […]


Support the Jane Goodall Act

A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION IN CANADA DO YOUR PART TO MAKE SURE IT BECOMES LAW! On March 22, 2022, Senator Marty Klyne reintroduced the Jane Goodall Act to the Senate of Canada. The proposed Bill S-241 is a updated version of a bill introduced by Senator Murray […]


Opinion: A Bird Artist Perspective on Birds in Zoos

By Barry Kent MacKay (September 9, 2022) As a part-time professional bird illustrator, I visit a lot of zoos to look at, and sketch, birds. But as a naturalist, a bird-lover, and part time professional animal protectionist, as well as an artist, I spend a lot more time observing birds […]