Resolution
View the resolution: Provincial regulations needed to restrict keeping of non-native (“exotic”) wild animals
World Animal Protection and our work in Ontario
World Animal Protection (formerly known as the World Society for the Protection of Animals – WSPA) is the global voice for animal welfare, with more than 70 years’ experience working to protect animals through practical, evidenced-based and sustainable solutions that help people and animals alike.
We collaborate with local communities, the private sector, civil society and governments to change animals’ lives for the better. We have General Consultative Status with the UN and are members of the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) and founded the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI).
In Ontario, we have focused our efforts on passing regulations that would phase out low-welfare (e.g., roadside) zoos and curb the keeping of wild animals as pets, to protect communities and animals alike. To achieve this, we have built a broad coalition of support among municipal associations, municipalities, Ontarians and the Toronto Zoo.
World Animal Protection, with support of AMO, AMCTO and MLEOA, is asking municipalities to support and adopt a resolution to restrict the keeping of exotic wild animals in Ontario.
Municipalities across the province are calling on the government to address captive wildlife issues, including (but not limited to): St. Catharines, Niagra Falls, Ajax, Whitby, Durham, Kirkland Lake, Larder Lake, Armstrong, Temiskaming Shores, Cobalt, Killarney, Welland, Bonnechere Valley, Laurentian Hills, Tweed, Addington Highlands, Plympton – Wyoming, East Ferris, Mattawan, South Huron, Wasaga Beach, Champlain, Southwold, Belleville, Carlow/Mayo Township, Smiths Falls, Trent Lakes, Uxbridge, Renfrew, Conmee, Enniskillen, Dutton Dunwich, Leamington, Hastings County, Lucan Biddulph, Chatham-Kent, Dawn-Euphemia and East Garafraxa.
Recognizing how important this is to individual municipalities, regional associations such as the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus (WOWC) and Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) have also adopted our resolution calling on the province to take action.
Momentum is building. Join the growing list of municipalities by adopting the resolution.
Note d'information
Consultez la note d'information : les zoos amateurs de l'Ontario (Français)
The Ontario government must resolve longstanding captive wildlife issues by restricting the possession, breeding, and use of non-native (“exotic”) wild animals, and licence zoos. Provincial government action will support municipalities and guarantee the fair and consistent application of policy to protect citizens and captive wildlife alike.
Ontario is the only province that does not licence or control the keeping of non-native (“exotic”) wild animals. Anyone can keep a tiger, lion, venomous snake or other dangerous animals in their home or start a zoo without professional training, adequate financing, or appropriate facilities.
Without a provincial approach to these issues, all municipalities are at risk. Municipalities that have bylaws are increasingly facing challenges from unregulated zoo-type facilities and wild animal owners who have sought bylaw exemptions or have attempted to open zoo-type facilities and brought in prohibited wild animal species.
For more information about the resolution or about captive wildlife issues in Ontario, please contact Erin Ryan, Wildlife Campaign Manager, at ErinRyan@worldanimalprotection.ca
World Animal Protection has a long history of working on roadside zoo and other captive wildlife issues throughout Canada. We were invited by the Ontario government to be members of the Provincial Animal Welfare Advisory Table in 2007 and again in 2020.