Canadian Federation of Humane Societies
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) is the only national animal welfare
organization representing humane societies, SPCAs
, and animal rescue
organizations across the country. The CFHS represents community-based provincial and territorial member societies on animal welfare issues of national importance and supports the work of its diverse membership.
, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies is a not-for-profit organization originally founded in 1957 by individuals who worked on behalf of local societies across Canada. The work begun by the Federation over 50 years ago has resulted in significant changes for animals.
, livestock
and legislation
. The Federation continues to push hard for changes to Canada’s federal animal cruelty law, which was originally enacted in 1892 and contains loopholes that prevent the prosecution of some animal abusers
. The Federation works with the Canadian livestock sector to improve standards of care for animals on farm, as well as in transit
and at slaughter
. As a founding member of the National Companion Animal Coalition, the CFHS has been involved in setting the standard for microchip
identification for pets, and has worked on such issues as dog bite prevention, puppy mill
s and municipal bylaws for dogs and cats. The CFHS is also an ex-officio member of the Animal Welfare Committee of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
and SPCAs.
-based Board of Directors. Board members may be employed by member societies. The members of the Board meet four times each year (two face-to-face, two conference calls), while both the Executive and Finance Committees meet monthly. The CFHS website maintains a current list of directors.
With over twenty years in publication, Animal Welfare in Focus has a diverse readership that includes member societies, animal welfare professionals, municipal leaders, federal decision makers, donors and the general public.
Animal welfare
Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...
organization representing humane societies, SPCAs
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a non-profit animal welfare organization originally founded in England in 1824 to pass laws protecting carriage horses from abuse. SPCA groups are now found in many nations, where they campaign for animal welfare, assist in cruelty to animals...
, and animal rescue
Rescue group
An animal rescue group or animal rescue organization is dedicated to pet adoption. These groups take unwanted, abandoned, abused, or stray pets and attempt to find suitable new homes for them...
organizations across the country. The CFHS represents community-based provincial and territorial member societies on animal welfare issues of national importance and supports the work of its diverse membership.
Background
Based in OttawaOttawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies is a not-for-profit organization originally founded in 1957 by individuals who worked on behalf of local societies across Canada. The work begun by the Federation over 50 years ago has resulted in significant changes for animals.
Programs
The CFHS’s program work focuses on companion animalsPet
A pet is a household animal kept for companionship and a person's enjoyment, as opposed to wild animals or to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic or productive reasons. The most popular pets are noted for their loyal or playful...
, livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
and legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
. The Federation continues to push hard for changes to Canada’s federal animal cruelty law, which was originally enacted in 1892 and contains loopholes that prevent the prosecution of some animal abusers
Cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is the infliction of suffering or harm upon non-human animals, for purposes other than self-defense. More narrowly, it can be harm for specific gain, such as killing animals for food or for their fur, although opinions differ with...
. The Federation works with the Canadian livestock sector to improve standards of care for animals on farm, as well as in transit
Livestock transportation
Livestock transportation is the movement of live animals, by ship, rail, road or air. Livestock are transported for many reasons, including but not limited to sale, auction, breeding, livestock shows, rodeos, fairs, slaughter, and grazing....
and at slaughter
Animal slaughter
Slaughter is the term used to describe the killing and butchering of animals, usually for food. Commonly it refers to killing and butchering of domestic livestock ....
. As a founding member of the National Companion Animal Coalition, the CFHS has been involved in setting the standard for microchip
Microchip
Microchip can also refer to:* Integrated circuit, a set of electronic components on a single unit.* Microchip Technology, a company that makes popular 8, 16 and 32-bit microcontroller lines.* Microchip implant , a microchip implanted into animals....
identification for pets, and has worked on such issues as dog bite prevention, puppy mill
Puppy mill
A puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care...
s and municipal bylaws for dogs and cats. The CFHS is also an ex-officio member of the Animal Welfare Committee of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Funding
The CFHS does not receive any government funding. It relies on donations from the public, corporate sponsorship and some membership fees to develop educational programs, to promote effective animal welfare legislation and to support, unite and represent local humane societiesHumane Society
A humane society may be a group that aims to stop human or animal suffering due to cruelty or other reasons, although in many countries, it is now used mostly for societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals...
and SPCAs.
Governance
The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies is governed by a volunteerVolunteering
Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life, but people also volunteer for their own skill development, to meet others, to make contacts for possible employment, to have fun, and a variety of other reasons that could be...
-based Board of Directors. Board members may be employed by member societies. The members of the Board meet four times each year (two face-to-face, two conference calls), while both the Executive and Finance Committees meet monthly. The CFHS website maintains a current list of directors.
Membership
Over 40 non-profit animal welfare organizations, humane societies and SPCAs operating in more than 100 communities across Canada are currently part of the CFHS’ trial and full membership. Through their donors and their members’ networks, the Federation reaches more than 400,000 people nationwide.Publications
Animal Welfare in Focus is the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies’ flagship publication. This tabloid size publication contains the latest news from the CFHS and member societies, as well as important animal welfare information from across Canada and around the world.With over twenty years in publication, Animal Welfare in Focus has a diverse readership that includes member societies, animal welfare professionals, municipal leaders, federal decision makers, donors and the general public.