Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
December 3, 2010
WSPA – Humane Treatment of Animals
Animal Cruelty
The majority of Canadians support one of the core goals of the animal protection movement, which is
to minimize and eventually eliminate all forms of animal cruelty and suffering (88%). Women
continue to show more support for animal welfare, as they are more likely than men to support this
goal (91% vs. 84%). Those who are likely to vote Conservative (78%) are less likely to support this
animal protection movement compared to those likely to vote Liberal (89%), NDP (95%), BQ (97%) or
Green (89%). Those who have rarely/never hunted or fished in the past year are more likely than
those who have often/sometimes hunted or fished to support the movement (91% vs. 74%).
Virtually all Canadians (95%) agree that animal pain and suffering should be reduced as much as
possible, even in those cases in which the animals are raised to be slaughtered, and 93% would
support laws aimed at ensuring that all farm animals are at least able to lie down, turn around,
stretch their limbs and/or spread their wings. Women are more likely than men to support this law
(95% vs. 90%). Those likely to vote BQ (99%) are more likely than those likely to vote Liberal (94%) or
Conservative (93%) to agree that animal pain and suffering should be reduced as much as possible.
While a majority of Conservative voters would support laws aimed at ensuring all farm animals are
given enough room to lie down, turn around, and stretch their limbs and/or spread their wings (87%),
they are least likely to show support – vs. Liberals (94%), NDP (98%), BQ (96%), and Green (95%).
Canadians would support the amendments the Canadian humane societies and other animal welfare
groups are working to improve in Canada’s federal animal cruelty laws. The majority of Canadians
would personally support amendments that: recognize animals are sentient (87%), make laws
against cockfighting every bit as strong as those against dog fighting (87%), create new offences
making it illegal to poison, injure or kill a police dog or horse (85%) and making it a more serious
crime to brutally and viciously kill animals (84%). Just over three‐quarters (78%) would support
removing a loophole that allows animal owners to escape prosecution for neglecting their animals
unless it can be proven the neglect was willful intent. Almost three‐quarters (73%) of Canadians
would personally support the recognition that animals are more than property by removing animal
cruelty crimes from the Crimes Against Property section of Canada’s Criminal Code, and many would
support removing a loophole that allows animal abusers to escape prosecution by arguing the animal
died quickly (72%).
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Regionally, those in British Columbia (83%) and Alberta (82%) are more likely than the rest of Canada
to support removing a loophole that allows animal abusers to escape prosecution by arguing the
animal died quickly.
Women are more likely than men to support some of these amendments, including creating new
offences making it a more serious crime to brutally and viciously kill animals (89% vs. 79%) and
making it illegal to poison, injure or kill a police dog or horse (88% vs. 82%), and removing a loophole
that allows animal abusers to escape prosecution by arguing the animal died quickly (77% vs. 68%).
Support for amendments
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• Recognize that animals are more than property by removing animal cruelty crimes from the
Crimes Against Property section of Canada’s Criminal Code: NDP (81%) and Green (78%) vs.
Conservatives (66%)
Those who have rarely/never hunted or fished in the past year are also more likely than those who
have often/sometimes hunted or fished in the past year to support some of the amendments,
including making laws against cockfighting every bit as strong as those against dog fighting (89% vs.
79%), creating a new offence making it a more serious crime to brutally and viciously kill animals (87%
vs. 72%), recognizing that animals are more than property by removing animal cruelty crimes from
the Crimes Against Property section of Canada’s Criminal Code (75% vs. 64%), and removing a
loophole that allows animal abusers to escape prosecution by arguing the animal died quickly (75%
vs. 62%).
Before learning about current animal cruelty laws, half (49%) of Canadians indicated they think
Canada’s existing animal cruelty laws are too weak, while just over one‐third (36%) think the animal
cruelty laws are just right. Women are more likely to think the laws are too weak (56%), while men
are more likely to think they are just right (42%). Those likely to vote NDP (60%) or Green Party (65%)
in the next election are more likely than those who are likely to vote Liberal (44%), Conservative
(39%), or BQ (39%) to believe our current animal cruelty laws are too weak; however, those likely to
vote Liberal (45%), Conservative (47%), or BQ (55%) are more likely to think the existing laws are just
right. Others who think Canada’s existing animal cruelty laws are too weak include: those who live in
a city (52%), those who placed animal welfare as one of their top 3 most important issues (63%),
those who think the welfare and protection of animals raised for food is important (51%), those who
support a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (52%), those who often or sometimes purchase
free‐run eggs (55%), and those who rarely or never go hunting/fishing (52%).
The welfare and protection of animals is important to Canadians in many situations:
• Endangered species (97%);
• Animals kept as companions or pets (94%);
• Wildlife (94%);
• Animals in zoos and aquariums (91%);
• Animals raised for food (90%);
• Animals in laboratories (86%);
• Animals in circuses and rodeos (85%); and,
• Horses and dogs used in racing (83%).
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There are a couple of noteworthy trends regarding the importance of the welfare and protection of
animals. While both men and women are equally likely to see the importance in protecting
endangered species, animals kept as companions or pets, wildlife, and animals in zoos and
aquariums, women are more likely than men to think it’s important to protect animals raised for food
(93% vs. 86%), in laboratories (91% vs. 81%), in circuses and rodeos (88% vs. 82%), and horses and
dogs used in racing (86% vs. 80%). Also, those who support the Universal Declaration on Animal
Welfare are significantly more likely to see the importance of the welfare and protection of animals in
most of these situations, including animals kept as companions or animals (95% vs. 82%), wildlife
(95% vs. 81%), animals in zoos and aquariums (92% vs. 79%), animals raised for food (92% vs. 61%),
animals in laboratories (88% vs. 61%), and animals in circuses and rodeos (86% vs. 71%).
Almost all Canadians agree that the Canadian government should support a Universal Declaration on
Animal Welfare at the United Nations (91%). Women are more likely than men to show support (95%
vs. 88%). While most Conservative voters would support a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare
at the United Nations (84%), they are the least likely party to do so (vs. Liberals (92%), NDP (97%), BQ
(97%), and Green (96%)). Also, those who have rarely/never hunted or fished in the past year are
more likely to support this Universal Declaration (93% vs. 83%).
Corporate/Social Responsibility
Fair wages (53%), employee working conditions (42%), and animal welfare (41%) are the top 3 issues
that are most important to Canadians regarding corporate social responsibility in the grocery and
restaurant sectors. Women are more likely than men to indicate animal welfare is one of their top 3
most important issues (46% vs. 36%). Animal welfare is also important to today’s youth – two‐thirds
(67%) of those aged 18‐24 put animal welfare in the top 3 most important issues. Income is another
factor – those whose household income is $40k or less (50%) also see the importance. Green party
supporters (53%) are also more likely to include animal welfare in their top 3 (vs. Liberals at 35%,
Conservatives at 36%, NDP at 44%, and BQ at 34%). Other groups of people who are more likely to
place animal welfare as one of their top 3 issues include: those who think the welfare and protection
of animals raised for food is important (43%), those who would support a Universal Declaration
(44%), and those who often/sometimes consume meat or dairy substitutes (45%).
Most Canadians think it’s important that they be able to buy cage‐free meat and eggs at their local
grocery store or supermarket (84%), with half (49%) indicating it’s very important. Those likely to
vote Liberal (84%), NDP (91%), or Green (90%) are more likely than those likely to vote Conservative
(75%) to believe it’s important to be able to buy cage‐free meat and eggs at their local grocery store
or supermarket.
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Most Canadians would support Canada adopting labeling standards similar to the European Union,
which would make it mandatory that all eggs sold be labeled according to method of production
(89%). Women are more likely than men to support these standards (91% vs. 87%). Canadians who
rarely/never hunt or fish are more likely than those who hunt or fish at least occasionally to support
Canada adopting these labeling standards (91% vs. 82%). Again, those likely to vote Liberal (92%), BQ
(95%), or Green (96%) are more likely than those likely to vote Conservative (82%) to support these
labeling standards.
To better ensure the humane treatment of animals, most Canadians think grocery stores should stock
more cage‐free eggs and cage‐free pork (84%). The younger generation – those aged 18‐34 – are
more likely than their older counterparts to agree (93% vs. 81%). Those who have rarely/never gone
hunting or fishing in the past year are more likely than those who have hunted or fished at least
occasionally to agree (86% vs. 76%). Those likely to vote Conservative are less likely to think grocery
stores should stock more cage‐free eggs and cage‐free pork (71%) vs. Liberal (87%), NDP (89%), BQ
(92%), and Green (91%).
Fewer Canadians agree that grocery stores should sell only cage‐free eggs and cage‐free pork to
better ensure the humane treatment of animals (68%). However, women are more likely than men
to agree (73% vs. 63%). Interestingly, those whose household income is less than $40k are more
likely than those whose household income is over $100k to agree (72% vs. 62%). Those who
rarely/never hunt or fish continue to be more likely to agree (71% vs. 56%). Again, Conservatives are
least likely to support this initiative (52%) vs. Liberal (64%), NDP (75%), BQ (80%), and Green (84%).
Almost three‐quarters (72%) of Canadians agree that restaurants should only use cage‐free eggs and
cage‐free pork to better ensure the humane treatment of animals. Regionally, those in
Manitoba/Saskatchewan are least likely to agree (54%). Women are more likely than men to agree
(78% vs. 66%). Again, Canadians who rarely/never hunt or fish are more likely to agree (74% vs.
63%). Conservatives continue to be least likely to show support, with 54% agreeing vs. Liberal (70%),
NDP (82%), BQ (80%), and Green (84%).
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