March 25, 2010

The Winnipeg Humane Society on the Farm

Think The Winnipeg Humane Society only cares about house pets? Nah Uh.


The WHS’s farm animal advocacy campaign, Quit Stalling, advocates to ban gestation crates - 2 by 6 foot pens where pregnant pigs are forced to spend their entire lives.  Recently The WHS has teamed up with several other animal welfare organizations, including the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), to develop a cooperative plan to promote cage free eggs and chicken throughout Canada.


Jenelle Petrinchuk, Communications Coordinator of the Winnipeg Humane Society, just sent out a release saying that Manitoba Egg Farmers (MEF) announced a new policy that will see that laying hens live more humane lives. 


The policy states that after 2018 all new or renovated laying hen facilities must have enriched living areas that support all five freedoms:
freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition
freedom from discomfort
freedom from pain, injury and disease
freedom to express normal behaviour
freedom from fear and distress

The policy is built around the Five Freedoms, an animal welfare ideology that The Winnipeg Humane Society has been advocating for over a decade.

 
“The public’s attitude towards farm animals is changing.  We know that people care about how farm animals are treated,” said Bill McDonald, Executive Director of The WHS.
 

Penny Kelly, MEF’s General Manager, added, “MEF recognizes the importance of showing leadership and aligning ourselves with society’s values.”


Have a great weekend. How can you miss - you're in Winnipeg!

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