FarmSense is the BC SPCA’s quarterly e-newsletter
about farm animal welfare. Summer is here and so is exciting news for farm
animal welfare in Canada! Read on to find out more:
Costco to carry SPCA Certified products
B.C. MLAs celebrate kindness to animals
SPCA Certified launched in Ontario
Farm animal welfare gains ground at National Animal
Welfare conference in Canada
Join us at farmers markets this summer
Food for thought
Sincerely,
The BC SPCA Farm Animal Welfare Team
Costco approves of SPCA Certified standards and
policies
On May 22, Costco officially approved the SPCA
Certified program for use as an animal welfare certification on food products
sold throughout their stores. This finalizes a year-long approval process
during which Costco representatives thoroughly reviewed SPCA Certified program
policies and accompanied a program Validator during on-farm assessments.
“What this means for the program is we now have a
retail giant standing behind our animal welfare standards and our certification
processes,” says Brandy Street, SPCA Certified program manager.
On April 23, animal lovers joined together to
celebrate Animal Abuse Prevention Day on the steps of the Legislature to call
for British Columbians to perform one million acts of kindness to animals in 2015.
During the event, B.C. Minister of Agriculture, Honourable
Norm Letnick, and other MLAs enjoyed burritos made with SPCA Certified cheese (pictured right). The 2015 B.C.
Budget allocated $5 million to assist in the
construction of new SPCA facilities, including two large animal care facilities
to house abused and neglected horses and farm animals.
The BC SPCA’s chief executive officer, Craig Daniell,
and SPCA Certified
program manager, Brandy Street were in attendance to greet the guests and talk
about the program. Those present had the opportunity to tour the farm, try the
food, and purchase products for themselves at the on-farm store, which was also
officially opened in celebration of the program’s newfound presence in the
province.
National animal welfare conference highlights farming
standards in Canada
In early May, the Canadian
Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) held its annual conference
in Richmond, B.C., and farm animal welfare inched its way toward centre stage. Farming-themed
talks were given by academics, activists, agri-industry representatives and
humane organizations, including a great presentation from SPCA Certified
Program Manager Brandy Street and SPCA Certified farmer, Tim Rempel of Rockweld Farm.
The conference proved that farm animal welfare is
steadily gaining ground in Canada. Next year’s conference will be held in
Toronto. Stay tuned to the CFHS website
if you’re interested in attending!
Shop local
farmers markets as your act of kindness
Shop
locally and humanely this summer by looking for SPCA Certified products at farmers
markets in your community.
As more people question not only where their food
comes from, but also how their food was raised, SPCA Certified can provide answers as
well as peace of mind – and delicious, ethical meals too!
FarmSense includes news about farm animal welfare issues, research
results, and information on the BC SPCA's activities that help farm
animals in B.C. We welcome your comments and suggestions on FarmSense content. View or download previous issues of FarmSense on our website at spca.bc.ca/farmsense.
The
British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC
SPCA) is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations.
Our mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic,
farm and wild animals in British Columbia. BC SPCA Charitable
Registration No. BN 11881 9036 RR0001
On behalf of all the animals we care for and protect, thank you for your support.
On May 22, Costco officially approved the SPCA
Certified program for use as an animal welfare certification on food products
sold throughout their stores. This finalizes a year-long approval process
during which Costco representatives thoroughly reviewed SPCA Certified program
policies and accompanied a program Validator during on-farm assessments.
On April 23, animal lovers joined together to
celebrate Animal Abuse Prevention Day on the steps of the Legislature to call
for British Columbians to perform 
Farmers, food retailers, SPCAs and media gathered at 
In early May, the 
Looking for ways to get involved with our 
