It is important that as we consider the loss of animal life in war that we do not recognize animals as “heroes” of war. It is tempting to anthropomorphize their actions as acts of bravery or courage, but they had no choice in being there and had no comprehension of what they were being used for. Humans can make a conscious decision to partake in war and we fully recognize that many soldiers were forced into war themselves. Animals cannot ever consciously decide to engage or abstain from war.

The Animal Alliance of Canada has opposed goose culls in Vernon, BC and other parts of the country because a body of evidence shows that non-lethal alternatives work better. Culls are inhumane and ineffective at addressing concerns about Canada geese.  

The majority of animals in Canadian military training are subjected to highly invasive procedures likely to produce extreme suffering [including]:

• the testing of chemical agents (such as nerve agents);
• the testing of biological agents;
• the infliction of wounds (including head injuries); and
• the testing of vaccines against biological warfare agents (anthrax, Burkholderia pseudomallei, etc.) on previously infected animals.

Canada is one of the few countries remaining that hasn’t replaced animal use for trauma training with high quality alternatives. Eighty percent of NATO countries don’t use animals for training.

Canada’s commercial seal hunt on the east coast has resumed. AAC needs your help to raise awareness and action on this critical issue, which should have ended decades ago. The federal government is being pressured by industry, businesses and politicians across Canada to continue the commercial seal hunt and to increase how many seals can be killed each year.

Along with many other animal advocacy and environmental organizations across Canada, AAC submitted a joint Notice of Objection to Health Canada and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency as of early May 2024. In March of 2024, Health Canada announced a ban on the use of Strychnine, this will take full effect in September 2024. Unfortunately they decided to continue to allow the issuance and use of Compound 1080, another deadly poison.