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VOLUNTEER INSPECTOR PROGRAM
I WILL ACT
As CETFA has limited manpower but countless farm animals in need, we rely heavily on volunteers to be our eyes, ears and hands across Canada.
Volunteer Inspectors can be anyone with an interest in helping farm animals - at auctions, at collecting stations and during transport - anywhere these animals are publicly accessible.
You can provide much-needed water, care, and comfort to a suffering farm animal. And you can learn to intervene on their behalf to negotiate for their humane euthanasia if their suffering cannot be ameliorated. Occasionally, you will even be able to rescue animals and place them in a farm sanctuary where they will be allowed to live out their lives in peace and comfort.
Below is information you will need to get started.
First, you must learn the legislation governing the humane transport and slaughter of farm animals in Canada. This will give you the knowledge you need to know if you are witnessing something contrary to regulations. Many practices in Canada that are clearly cruel are unfortunately legal. Still, it is best to record and document as much as you can and fight for an animal you feel is suffering.
The easiest access to farm animals is through attendance of a public livestock auction. Listings of auctions, along with their addresses and sale dates can be found below according to province. If at all possible, attend your local auction regularly as this is how change happens, and attend in pairs if you can. Studies show your mere presence improves handling of the animals by 25%. This means the difference between electric prods (which deliver a painful shock to the animal, often on their genitals or face) and rattle paddles (the noise startles them into moving).
Also listed below are governmental bodies and agencies to contact if you see an animal that is suffering. These bodies are mandated to assist with cases of cruelty, but some may not respond. Note and record this but do not get discouraged. Continue down the list until someone responds to you. If all else fails, contact us at 204-296-1375.
LIVESTOCK AUCTIONS
When attending an auction, print off our Inspection Checklist and use it during your visit. It will give you handy tips on what areas to focus on and what specifically to look for. Please forward a copy of your completed checklist to us and alert us to any concerns you have. If we receive two reports of the same facility with red flags, we will investigate. The completed checklists will also be used to compile comprehensive reports on the agriculture industry with a focus on violations reported and regulatory changes required.
Please remember when attending auctions, while they are publicly accessible they are privately owned so please, be courteous and friendly. The workers have to move large numbers of animals in a difficult working environment (auctions are generally hot and dirty). Many naturally stop seeing the animals as individuals. You can remind them that the suffering are worthy of concern just by not being intimidated and providing the animals with water. If an animal is in protracted pain or unable to bear weight on a limb, ask to speak to the auction's veterinarian. Remember too that this veterinarian works for the auction, so will feel conflicted in helping the animal. Remind him that if he is unable to help, you will contact the authorities. That is your legal right. But be kind when doing this. No one wants to deal with a difficult person and you could easily be kicked out. The animal deserves your best so keep calm and remain pleasant. It will allow you to stay with the animal as long as possible.
If you are successful in having a suffering animal euthanized, DO NOT record it. The auction is doing the right thing. They will most likely use a captive bolt pistol (a metal cylinder with a charge in it that forces a metal bolt into the animal's brain, then retracts). While it is not pleasant to see, it is one of the most humane deaths available under the circumstances. If you can stay, do so to ensure the staff do not needlessly increase the animal's suffering by moving her cruelly (with a bob-cat, with chains, etc). A suffering animal is legally entitled to be euthanized where she lays, not moved. If you are unable to stay to witness it, insist on seeing the animal's body after the euthasia has been performed. Many auctions will promise to euthanize the animal, but illegally load her when you have left. This is why it is best to work in teams so one of you can stay with the animal if the other must leave (to get help, get water etc).
These actions on behalf of animals can be extremely difficult emotionally but you will know you did the right thing for the animal and had you not been there, they surely would've suffered much more. Even if all you are comfortable doing is providing water or affection - it is water and affection they will not have received had you not been there.
"To the world you may be just one person, but to one life you may be the world." One final tip: Bring lots of water and buckets!
Good luck and thank you for being there for the animals!
Livestock Auction Listings
Emergency Contact List Coming soon!
FURTHER INFORMATION
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture: Criteria used for determining euthanasia of cull dairy cows
Cinnamon & Nutmeg: A Happy Ending for 2 Battery-Caged Hens
The Life of A Beef Cow (beef cattle are accessible at livestock auctions)
The Life of a Dairy Cow ("spent", "cull" or used up dairy cows are accessible at livestock auctions)
Become a Volunteer Inspector PSA
Emily Dickinson (1830–86). Complete Poems. 1924.
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