Issue Type: Companion Animals

Humane Society International / Mexico

HSI

Mexico City—To mark World Spay Day, teams of volunteer veterinarians spayed and neutered 531 cats free of charge in Mexico City. The campaign was executed at local veterinary clinic Cemegatos with support from Humane Society International/Mexico. This is the first time the campaign surpases the 500 cats benchmark. The campaign ran Feb. 21 to Feb. 24 and involved 21 veterinarians and over 30 volunteers.

Dr. Claudia Edwards, DVM, HSI/Mexico programs director, said: “Spay-neutering is critical to address the street cats problem. People often misunderstand cats and have prejudices against them, but they are the most extraordinary pets. Cats need to be included in humane population control campaigns accessible to people without the means to pay for this service.”

World Spay Day reminds us of the power of affordable, accessible spay/neuter services to save the lives of companion animals, community (feral and stray) cats and street dogs who might otherwise be put down in shelters or killed on the street. Spay/neuter is also adviseable for pets to keep them healthy and to avoid unwanted offspring. Mexico has an acute street cat and dog problem, with an estimated 23 million free roaming cats and dogs.

Media contact: Magaly Garibay, (+52 55) 5211 8731, ext. 104, mgaribay@idee.agency

Humane Society International

Dog meat trader's truck in China
Adam Parascandola/HSI

Worldwide, an estimated 30 million dogs and 10 million cats are slaughtered each year for human consumption. Of those numbers, it is estimated that 10 million dogs and 4 million cats are killed for human consumption each year in China. The dog and cat meat trades in China are, to a significant degree, facilitated by crime, as most of the animals are stolen pets and strays grabbed from backyards and streets. Detection and convictions are extremely rare. Transport to slaughterhouses and markets entails being crammed into wire cages and driven for hours or days to the animals’ destination. They’re often sick or injured, and many die en route from dehydration, shock, suffocation and heatstroke. Those who survive the journey are then beaten to death, sold and served.

Despite the scale of these horrors, dog and cat eating is not widespread in China; the majority of people in China never eat dog or cat meat. Of the 20% who say they do, many will have only eaten dog or cat meat once or twice in their lifetime. China’s dog meat eating mainly centers in three regions: South China, Central China, and Northeast China, although dogs are stolen and transported from all over the country.

Supporting Chinese animal groups

HSI’s official partner group in China is called Vshine, an extremely active, capable and well-respected animal protection organisation based in north China. HSI supports Vshine’s two shelters that care for dogs, cats and other animals – including those rescued from the meat trade – and through Vshine’s extensive network of partner groups and shelters across China, we are able to amplify anti-dog and cat meat efforts in multiple parts of China.

With millions of dogs and cats suffering each year in China, it is simply impossible to rescue our way out of this horrific business, which is why rescue is only one aspect of our strategy in China. We focus on promoting the life-saving work of Chinese animal protection groups and shelters across China that are campaigning, conducting public education, and providing hands-on rescue efforts. Our Chinese partner organisation avoids buying dogs and cats from meat industries, because no matter how well meaning, it risks the unintended consequence of bolstering the supply, which would be counterproductive.

Rescue all year round

For over a decade, HSI has supported the rescue of thousands of dogs and cats from China’s meat trades by working in partnership with Chinese activists and shelter partner Vshine, and supporting the creation of China Animal Protection Power. Chinese activists liaise with local police to pull over trucks illegally trafficking dogs and cats on their way to slaughter, and work with law enforcement when illegal dog slaughterhouses are discovered. These animals are largely illegally acquired and illegally transported across provincial borders without the required paperwork. When rescued animals are brought to Vshine’s veterinary hospital and rehabilitation shelter, HSI supporters’ donations are helping to provide them lifesaving care, treatment, food and shelter.. Through our support of Vshine, HSI also provides expert training and support for other shelters to ensure that they operate to the highest standards in China.

HSI believes it is imperative to promote the efforts of groups across China who are tackling the dog and cat meat trades. These groups are exposing the suffering endured by animals being trafficked in slaughterhouses and markets. Some rescues involve large numbers of animals, such as the 375 cats crammed in wire cages in an illegal slaughterhouse in Tianjin who were saved in 2018 by activists including the China Animal Protection Power team, or the 423 dogs saved by Vshine and other activists in April 2020 from a slaughterhouses in Henan. Other times, raids on illegal slaughterhouses result in small numbers of terrified animals found cowering in fear just in the nick of time. In April 2019 Vshine discovered a group of frightened dogs at a slaughterhouse in Peixian that was supplying restaurants outside Shanghai. In June of 2019, Chinese activists saved 62 dogs from a slaughterhouse in Yulin, many of whom received life-saving veterinary care at a shelter in north China supported by HSI. In 2021, a slaughter truck packed with 68 terrified dogs was stopped before it reached Yulin, and all the dogs rescued, and in 2022 police in the city of Shaanxi together with activists, intercepted a truck of 386 dogs headed for slaughter in Yulin.

Yulin festival

Across China, there are many dog markets and slaughterhouses, where the dogs are sold, killed and slaughtered for their meat, but the annual slaughter of dogs and cats during the summer solstice in Yulin in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has come to symbolize the immense cruelty of the trade that sadly takes place every day. Launched in 2010 by Yulin’s dog meat traders to boost flagging sales in the country, and originally promoted as a “festival,” the event has earned domestic and international outrage, even though 72% of Yulin´s population don’t regularly eat dog. HSI has played a key role in shining a global spotlight on the horrors, and thanks largely to the efforts of HSI and our partner groups, this event gradually has become more muted and small scale.

In the face of national and worldwide condemnation of the suffering, officials have cracked down on public displays of slaughter and limited advertisement of dog meat by restaurants.

But the killing still goes on in the backstreets and out-of-town slaughterhouses under the cover of darkness. In 2016, the Yulin government issued its first-ever written pledge to end the event and road checkpoints were set up to prevent dog trucks from entering the city. In 2017, just weeks ahead of this festival, Yulin authorities alerted dog traders that restaurants, street vendors and market traders would be prohibited from selling dog meat with the threat of heavy fines. The prohibition was subsequently relaxed in the face of intense pressure from dog traders, however it was still a highly significant milestone that demonstrated the authorities’ acknowledgement that action is needed. HSI hopes that national and international campaigners can build on this momentum.

Laws and law enforcement

With dog meat bans already in place in many countries and territories throughout Asia, including Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and multiple cities and regencies across Indonesia, achieving an end to the trade in mainland China is not an unrealistic goal, although we know that change can be frustratingly slow. Although China is perhaps the only country of the world’s top industrialized nations that does not have an anti-animal cruelty law, there have been some recent positive developments. In 2020, the Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai introduced bans on dog and cat meat consumption, and China’s Ministry of Agriculture declared that dogs are considered companions and not livestock. Local Chinese animal groups advance legislative proposals for a dog and cat meat ban, with the hope that the National People’s Congress will sooner or later support the advancement of robust animal welfare legislation. Vshine, with financial and capacity building support from HSI, also works with local police, for example in Dalian, to promote best practices nationwide so that the standards of animal treatment across the country can be elevated.

Vshine is also active throughout many other parts of China, and HSI recognizes and amplifies its work by helping to raise awareness about Vshine’s rescue and campaign activities and those of other Chinese activists and organizations with whom they collaborate. Although HSI does not have a physical presence in China, our staff take pride in visiting China to promote animal protection. In July 2019, HSI attended and spoke at the China Animal Law Conference, an HSI-sponsored event, and in October 2019 an HSI delegation attended the HSI co-sponsored Asia for Animals Symposium. Our most recent in-person visit occurred just two months before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak ceased all travel to China, but our work has continued through our official Chinese partner group.

In January 2017, China introduced the Foreign NGO Law, which places strong legal restrictions on all foreign NGOs, such as HSI, requiring NGOs to register with the Chinese government in order to continue operating on the ground in China. Registration requires foreign NGOs to have an official local Chinese partner group (in our case, Vshine) which means our activities are focused in north China where they are based.

Vshine is also active throughout many other parts of China, and HSI recognizes and amplifies its work by helping to raise awareness about Vshine’s rescue and campaign activities and those of other Chinese activists and organizations with whom they collaborate. Although HSI does not have a physical presence in China, our staff take pride in visiting China to promote animal protection. In July 2019, HSI attended and spoke at the China Animal Law Conference, an HSI-sponsored event, and in October 2019 an HSI delegation attended the HSI co-sponsored Asia for Animals Symposium. Our most recent in-person visit occurred just two months before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak ceased all travel to China, but our work has continued through our official Chinese partner group.

HSI also works with a large network of local, regional and international organizations throughout other parts of Asia. We have HSI offices or staff-led projects in India, Viet Nam, Indonesia and South Korea. In addition, we are active as a member of several Asia-wide coalitions of organizations fighting the dog meat trade, wildlife trafficking and promoting human-wildlife coexistence. We are proud and grateful to be working together with many organizations and people on the ground in Asia to fight the cruel trade in cats and dogs for meat, and to have been working together so cooperatively and effectively for many years.

Humane Society International

Rescued from a dog meat farm
Frank Loftus/The HSUS

Update: On January 9, 2024, South Korea’s National Assembly voted through a ban on the dog meat industry, making the breeding, slaughter and sale of dogs and dog meat for human consumption illegal from 2027.

In South Korea, dogs are intensively farmed for human consumption. They are given little food, usually no water, and live outdoors in small cages with no protection from the hot summers or brutally cold winters. Many suffer from disease and malnutrition and all are subjected to daily, extreme neglect. The methods used to kill the dogs are very cruel—electrocution is most common.

Rescued from a dog meat market
Jean Chung

The majority of South Koreans do not routinely eat dog meat. Dog meat is mostly eaten by older, male citizens who have the misguided belief that it is beneficial for health when consumed either as a soup called “boshintang”—which is believed by some to invigorate the blood and reduce lethargy—or as a tonic (gaesoju), which is sold in traditional medicine shops. Dog meat is particularly popular during the summer months, especially during Bok Nal—the three hottest days between July and August when 70 to 80 percent of the dog meat is consumed.

Agreeing to shut down a dog meat farm
Jean Chung

Models for Change: Closing dog meat farms

Since 2015, HSI has worked on the ground in South Korea to shut down more than a dozen farms and rescued more  than 2,500 dogs who have found loving homes in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. However, these farm closures are only a small part of our strategic and ambitious program to phase out dog meat farming in South Korea.

Rescued from a dog meat farm
Jean Chung

What sets HSI’s strategy apart

HSI works collaboratively with dog meat farmers who wish to leave the controversial industry but don’t have the means to stop. We don’t simply buy the dogs, leaving empty cages to be filled again. We sign a legally binding contract with each farmer to permanently shut down each farm and transition the dog meat farmer to a more profitable—and humane—business model, such as medicinal herb farming, water parsley farming, or blueberry farming. Our working model for change helps us demonstrate to the South Korean government that the dog meat industry can be phased out in cooperation, rather than conflict, with dog meat farmers.

Dog rescued from a dog meat farm
Jean Chung

Our broader campaign

Our goal is a ban on the consumption of dog meat and the cruel industry which supplies the dogs within the next 10 years. We work on the ground with local organizations and activists to create culturally sensitive solutions that will change public perceptions and influence policy makers in favor of reform. Dog meat farm closures are part of HSI’s strategy to facilitate the political and societal circumstances to make this possible.

Many people in South Korea love and keep pet dogs. However, there is a misconception held by some that “meat dogs” are different from “pet dogs.” We campaign to show the public that all dogs suffer in the same ways and are all deserving of love. Another goal of our campaign is to encourage pet adoption. Currently, the few shelters in South Korea are overcrowded and under-resourced. Pet adoption, particularly of large dogs, is uncommon and older dogs are at risk of being discarded on farms since there are no shelters to take them.

Korea dog meat protest
Michael Bernard/HSI

Progress/An industry in decline

Our dog farm closures demonstrate that there is a willingness within the industry to phase out this trade. HSI works with leading Korean animal groups, including Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA), Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA) and LIFE. Together, we have helped close some of the country’s largest dog slaughterhouses and dog meat markets.

According to the Korea Times, “Fewer people in Seoul are eating dog, as nearly 40 percent of the restaurants selling dog meat have closed over the last 10 years.” A 2020 opinion poll in South Korea commissioned by HSI and conducted by Nielsen, shows growing support for a ban on dog meat consumption, with 84 percent of those polled saying they don’t or won’t eat dog, and almost 60 percent supporting a legislative ban on the trade.

A growing number of South Korean animal rights activists are dedicated to ending the dog meat trade. Local authorities are cracking down on the industry, and new legislation applied stricter health and safety requirements on the dog farms. At a higher level, the Supreme Court concluded that killing dogs by the common method of electrocution breaches animal welfare law, and the President’s Blue House pledged to consider removing dogs and cats from the legal definition of livestock. Change is taking place in South Korea like never before and HSI is proud to work alongside our Korean partners to support their work in developing practical, culturally sensitive solutions to animal welfare concerns.

Majority of pups to find loving homes in Canada

Humane Society International / Canada

MONTREAL – Humane Society International/Canada is shining a global spotlight on the connection between South Korea’s cruel puppy mill trade and the dog meat industry by helping to rescue 200 dogs and puppies from a horrendous dog meat farm. Approximately 160 dogs are bound for Canada where they will be temporarily sheltered in Cambridge, Ontario, with some destined for Montreal where they will be rehabilitated at HSI/Canada’s emergency shelter.

This is HSI’s 14th dog meat farm closure in South Korea. The facility doubled as a puppy mill, with the dogs being sold as pets or for slaughter depending on where the greatest profits could be found. As a result, many of the dogs are small breeds such as Chihuahuas, corgis, Yorkshire terriers, poodles, Pomeranians, shih tzus and French bulldogs.

Ewa Demianowicz, senior campaign manager for HSI/Canada, said: “These dogs have been surviving in appalling conditions, in barren, filthy cages, with inadequate food and water and almost no veterinary care or human contact. Sadly, it is likely that many never left the cramped cages they have been confined in. It is heartbreaking to imagine how much they have suffered in their lives. Our team is eager to see these wonderful dogs leave this horrible place and arrive in Canada to get the love and care that they need.

HSI works with farmers who want to leave the dog meat trade by transitioning them to more humane industries, rescuing the dogs and closing the facilities. In turn, the owners sign contracts stating they will not return to the dog meat trade. The owner of the facility is eager to leave his business as his family disapproves and it is becoming less profitable.

Dog meat consumption is declining rapidly in South Korea, particularly among younger generations, with a survey by Gallup Korea in June 2018 showing that 70 percent of South Koreans say they will not eat dog meat in future. A series of recent moves by authorities to curb the dog meat trade reflects how Korean society is increasingly ill at ease with the industry. In November 2018, in Seongnam City, HSI/Canada participated in shutting down Taepyeong, the largest dog slaughterhouse in the country. As political and public momentum to end the dog meat trade grows within South Korea, HSI hopes its program will demonstrate a phase-out model that can one day be adopted nationwide with state support.

    Facts:

  • More than 2.5 million dogs a year are reared on thousands of dog meat farms across South Korea.
  • Most people in South Korea don’t regularly eat dog, but it remains popular during the Bok days of summer in July and August, when it is eaten as a soup called bosintang.
  • Dogs are mainly killed by electrocution, taking up to five minutes to die. Hanging is also practiced.
  • The dog meat industry is in legal limbo in South Korea, neither legal nor illegal. Many provisions of the Animal Protection Act are routinely breached, such as the ban on killing animals in a brutal way including hanging by the neck, and on killing them in public areas or in front of other animals of the same species.

Download b-roll video and photos of the rescue by clicking here.

Media Contact: Christopher Paré, Director of Communications – Office: 514 395-2914 x 206 / cell: 438 402-0643 / email: cpare@hsi.org

Humane Society International

Washington D.C. – The latest rescue mission by animal charity Humane Society International is shining a horrifying spotlight on the long-suspected connection between South Korea’s puppy pet trade and the dog meat industry. In a country where dog meat traders go to some lengths to persuade increasingly reluctant consumers that dogs bred for meat are somehow different from their beloved pet dogs at home, HSI’s rescue of nearly 200 Chihuahuas, corgis, huskies, jindos, Yorkshire terriers, poodles, Pomeranians, shih tzus, and French bulldogs from a squalid breeding facility in Hongseong that housed pups under heat lamps in disused tyres, will create shock waves.

Although HSI has found all sizes and breeds of dogs at its previous thirteen dog meat farm closures, this is the first time the charity has discovered a facility where puppies being born for the pet trade were being bred alongside others destined to be electrocuted and butchered for meat to supply local restaurants. Any pups unable to be sold as pets could also end up at the slaughterhouse.

Sixty-year-old Farmer Lee who ran the farm for eight years is eager to leave his dog breeding days behind him. His business is increasingly unprofitable as fewer people in South Korea wish to eat dogs, and selling pups at pet auctions has become competitive; his own family strongly opposes his profession. Mr Lee says he feels ashamed to be a dog farmer, but had no way out until he was introduced to HSI’s dog farm closure scheme by a former farmer with whom HSI had worked. Once HSI closes his farm and removes the dogs for rehoming, Mr Lee hopes to become a security guard with the help of financing provided by HSI for him to take a computer literacy training course.

Farmer Lee said: “From the very beginning, my entire family has been against my dog farming. All my daughters and my wife want me to close it, and they have never wanted to visit the farm. I feel very ashamed to be a dog meat farmer and a puppy mill farmer so I barely tell anyone what I’m doing. My business is also making no money now and it’s too hard to farm the dogs as I have back pain. Also, I’ve had a hard time with my neighbor complaining about the barking which meant I had to move my farm. I spend more money on this farm than I make from it. I think dog meat trade will die soon. I feel like it’s already ending.”

HSI works in partnership with dog farmers to rescue their dogs and transition their businesses to alternative, humane and more profitable enterprises such as crop growing or service trades. Following the closure of this farm, the cages will be demolished and no animals will suffer again on this property. A 20-year contract has been signed by the farmer that ensures he will stay out of the dog meat and any other animal related industry. HSI follows up regularly to ensure compliance among all past farmers. As political and public momentum to end the dog meat trade grows within South Korea, HSI hopes its program will demonstrate a phase-out model that can one day be adopted nationwide with state support.

Nara Kim, HSI/Korea’s dog meat campaigner says: “The lines between puppy mills and dog meat farms are routinely blurred throughout South Korea, and with our latest dog farm closure we are exposing the shocking reality of that. These dogs are suffering at the hands of two abusive industries, their ultimate fate depending on whether they will sell for more money as a pet or for meat. They all start life in this depressing, squalid place, with the lucky few ending up being a loved companion whilst their cage mates are served at a restaurant or enter a chain of auctions where they are sold on to the next farmer to produce litter after litter of puppies. Korean consumers will be shocked to see that the dog meat they buy in restaurants or from markets could come from the very same dogs they see in the pet shop window. No matter where the dogs go, the conditions at this farm are horrifying. The emaciated dogs have matted fur and untreated wounds. We found them cowering in rusty cages as they endure the bitter cold of the Korean winter. It is an immense relief to be able to rescue them and fly them to North America where we can work with partner organizations and begin their search for adoptive families. For them the nightmare is over, and we hope that by exposing their suffering we can hasten the end of the entire industry for good.”

In addition to the nearly 200 dogs, HSI/Korea is also rescuing three pigs who live on Mr Lee’s farm. Named by HSI, Mable, Martha and Maggie are mini-pigs originally bred for the pet trade, but at 50 kg in weight and growing, they were highly unlikely to find happy homes, and faced an uncertain future. As HSI’s legal contract with dog farmers obliges them to transition to strictly animal-friendly livelihoods, the pigs will shortly be starting a new life being cared for at a sanctuary being established with HSI’s partner group KARA.

Dog meat consumption is declining rapidly in South Korea, particularly among younger generations, with a survey by Gallup Korea in June 2018 showing that 70 percent of South Koreans say they will not eat dog meat in future. A series of recent moves by authorities to curb the dog meat trade reflects how Korean society is increasingly ill at ease with the industry. In November last year, HSI/Korea assisted Seongnam City Council in shutting down Taepyeong, the largest dog slaughterhouse in the country, which is to be replaced with a community park.

Facts:

  • More than 2.5 million dogs a year are reared on thousands of dog meat farms across South Korea.
  • Most people in South Korea don’t regularly eat dog, but it remains popular during the Bok days of summer in July and August, when it is eaten as a soup called bosintang.
  • Dogs are mainly killed by electrocution, taking up to five minutes to die. Hanging is also practiced.
  • The dog meat industry is in legal limbo in South Korea, neither legal nor illegal. Many provisions of the Animal Protection Act are routinely breached, such as the ban on killing animals in a brutal way including hanging by the neck, and on killing them in public areas or in front of other animals of the same species.
  • At each dog meat farm closure, HSI has a veterinarian test for the presence of the H3N2, or dog flu, virus at the time the dogs receive their rabies, DHPP, and corona virus vaccines. HSI also vaccinates the dogs for distemper, parvo and coronavirus. HSI then quarantines the dogs on the farm or at a temporary shelter with no dogs permitted in or out for at least 30 days prior to transport overseas.

Download b-roll video and photos of the rescue here.

ENDS

Media contact:

United Kingdom: Wendy Higgins: whiggins@hsi.org, +44 (0)7989 972 423

South Korea: Nara Kim, nkim@hsi.org

Humane Society International / Africa

HOEDSPRUIT—Humane Society International/Africa has joined forces with local organization Hoedspruit Animal Outreach (HALO) to improve the lives and welfare of community cats and dogs in the villages around Hoedspruit. HSI/Africa is providing HALO with grants in 2019 totaling approximately ZAR150,000 to increase spay/neuter efforts and to provide medical care to more cats and dogs in the area. In this wild corner of South Africa, animal vaccination and sterilization will be used not only to improve domestic animal welfare and manage overpopulation but also to help protect wild and endangered species such as the African Wild Dog and African wild cats against diseases such as rabies that are spread by domestic animals.

In South Africa, the challenges so often seen in street dogs and cats – such as overpopulation, lack of veterinary care, undernourishment – are common to community dogs and cats as well. Whilst most community dogs are ‘owned’ in some way or form, they often roam the neighbourhood, scrounging for scraps and freely breeding. As they come from rural and disadvantaged communities, affordable and accessible veterinary care is very limited.

HALO has been operating to serve Hoedspruit communities since April 2016, providing access to primary animal health care (including vaccinations and sterilizations) and educating owners about animal care and welfare. The organization is currently involved in five communities – Lepelle, The Willows, Sigagule, Tswenyane and Moraba (also known as California) – and has treated more than 2400 cats and dogs in the last year alone. HALO is run exclusively by volunteers under the supervision of qualified veterinarians. With the funds provided by HSI, HALO hopes to sterilize nearly 150 additional dogs and treat 800 more animals during the year.

HSI/Africa and HALO share in the vision of improving street animal welfare and agree on a long-term, sustainable approach to animal population control. For more information about HSI/Africa’s animal protection campaigns, visit www.hsi.org/world/africa.

Photos available here.

BACKGROUND
Even though some countries encourage acceptable animal welfare practices for street dogs and cats, these animals are usually seen and treated as pests by local communities. Sadly, overpopulation of street animals in some countries is often dealt with in inhumane ways such as poisoning or shooting. Humane Society International works in a variety of countries to improve street animal welfare based on the needs of the country. HSI’s approach to overpopulation always places the welfare of the animals as a priority. The cornerstone of this approach hinges on humane application of animal control, helping to create programs that focus on sterilization and vaccination campaigns and education.

Contacts:

HSI/Africa: Media and Communications Outreach Manager Leozette Roode, mobile +2771 360 1004, lroode@hsi.org

HSI/UK: Director of International Media Wendy Higgins, mobile +44 (0) 7989 972 423, whiggins@hsi.org

Humane Society International

HSI/Canada recherche des bénévoles pour donner de leur temps et partager leurs compétences professionnelles.

Si vous souhaitez apporter votre aide de temps à autre chaque mois, déposez votre candidature pour l’un des postes suivants :

Refuge d’urgence-équipe sauvetage (Québec, Ontario)
Dirigeant(e) communautaire (Québec, Ontario, Colombie-Britannique)
Infographiste
Traducteur/rice (de l’anglais vers le français)
Chargé(e) de liaison avec les médias
Vétérinaire
Technicien(ne) en santé animale
Chargé(e) de liaison (Campagne Non à la Cruauté)
Soutien administratif (Campagne Non à la Cruauté)
Assistant(e) services aux donateurs et donatrices

Que faire si les postes de bénévoles ne vous correspondent pas…Devenez un ou une de nos alliés! Aidez-nous à intervenir sur les questions et les campagnes pressantes concernant le bien-être des animaux. En tant qu’alliés, vous serez contactés lorsque des mesures urgentes sont nécessaires concernant des enjeux susceptibles de vous intéresser. Aucun minimum d’heures requis pour être inscrit(e) sur cette liste. Nous serions très heureux de vous avoir dans notre équipe en tant qu’alliés des animaux.

Refuge d’urgence-equipe sauvetage

Nous recherchons des bénévoles qui souhaitent aider les animaux dans des refuges temporaires au Québec et en Ontario. Pour plus d’information sur cette position, veuillez cliquer ici.

Dirigeant(e) communautaire

Vous voulez aider HSI/Canada à construire un mouvement pour la protection des animaux encore plus fort? Envisagez de jouer un rôle de premier plan en envoyant votre candidature pour le poste de dirigeant(e) communautaire.

Les dirigeant(e)s communautaires sont au cœur des efforts de HSI/Canada pour célébrer les animaux et lutter contre la cruauté.

En tant que dirigeant(e) communautaire, vous serez l’ambassadeur(rice) de HSI/Canada dans votre secteur afin de faire avancer les différentes campagnes sur le bien-être des animaux et les priorités législatives.

Les bénévoles apporteront leur aide pour :

  • Soutenir les efforts de HSI/Canada pour faire adopter des lois fédérales, provinciales et municipales sur le bien-être des animaux en aidant dans la recherche, les tâches administratives et la défense des intérêts dans le domaine politique,
  • Construire un réseau de partenaires pour HSI/Canada qui agiront en faveur des enjeux pour la protection des animaux,
  • Sur les conseils et les directives de notre responsable politique et de notre gestionnaire de bénévoles, développer et mettre en place des initiatives locales de protection des animaux dans votre municipalité, province ou comté fédéral, selon les priorités de la campagne de HSI/Canada,
  • Rédiger des lettres aux rédacteurs des journaux locaux et nationaux,
  • • Aider à gérer les kiosques d’information lors d’événements locaux pour faire avancer les différentes priorités législatives pour la protection des animaux.

Nous recherchons des bénévoles avec les qualités suivantes :

  • Engagement à l’égard de la mission de HSI/Canada
  • Excellentes aptitudes et expérience dans un rôle de leadership
  • Fort attachement à leur communauté
  • Très bonnes compétences relationnelles et la capacité de communiquer avec diverses personnes efficacement et sans jugement
  • Solides connaissances en informatique, recherches en ligne et compétences rédactionnelles, maîtrise de Microsoft Office, Word et Excel, et une connaissance générale des réseaux sociaux
  • Aptitude à prendre des initiatives et à s’adapter rapidement aux changements
  • Capacité à travailler en équipe et de manière autonome
  • Résidant dans les provinces du Québec, de l’Ontario ou de la Colombie-Britannique.

Les dirigeant(e)s communautaires s’engagent en moyenne à une à trois heures de travail par semaine pour un an minimum. Cet engagement varie selon les semaines. Une participation continue est souhaitée. Après avoir étudié votre candidature, un membre du personnel vous invitera à un entretien virtuel en ligne. Si nous déterminons mutuellement que l’opportunité vous convient, vous obtiendrez le poste de bénévole.

Veuillez lire la description complète pour ce poste.

Veuillez noter que le lien mène vers le système de programme de bénévolat de notre organisation partenaire, The HSUS, qui a bien voulu le partager avec nous [en anglais seulement].

Remplir votre formulaire de candidature dès maintenant

Infographiste

Nous recherchons des bénévoles talentueux en infographie et/ou en publication assistée par ordinateur afin de nous aider à concevoir des visuels créatifs pour nos campagnes de façon ponctuelle.

Les bénévoles apporteront leur aide pour :

  • Créer des supports promotionnels pour des événements, comme des affiches, des bannières à dérouler et des tracts,
  • Concevoir la mise en page des rapports, brochures, tracts, etc.,
  • Réaliser l’infographie pour des campagnes spécifiques.

Nous recherchons des bénévoles avec les qualités suivantes :

  • Expérience dans l’utilisation d’outils de conception comme la Suite Adobe Creative, notamment InDesign
  • Compétences évidentes en conception graphique et/ou en publication assistée par ordinateur
  • Aptitude à suivre des instructions, à travailler selon les directives de la marque de l’organisation et effectuer un travail de haute qualité dans de courts délais
  • Une certaine affinité avec la protection des animaux et les objectifs de HSI/Canada

Nous demandons un engagement de seulement quelques heures par mois (selon nos besoins) sur une période minimum de six mois. Les bénévoles peuvent travailler à distance et être situés n’importe où au Canada. Les candidat(e)s devront soumettre leur CV, une lettre de motivation et un petit portfolio de leur travail.

Veuillez lire la description complète pour ce poste.

Veuillez noter que le lien mène vers le système de programme de bénévolat de notre organisation partenaire, The HSUS, qui a bien voulu le partager avec nous [en anglais seulement].

Remplir votre formulaire de candidature dès maintenant

Traducteur/rice

Nous recherchons des bénévoles avec de l’expérience en traduction de l’anglais vers le français pour traduire nos principaux documents pour les campagnes de protection des animaux de façon ponctuelle.

Les bénévoles apporteront leur aide pour :

  • Traduire les lettres pour le Parlement et d’autres documents de lobbying, de l’anglais vers le français,
  • Traduire les communiqués de presse, les publications de réseaux sociaux et d’autres documents de communication externe,
  • Révision de texte (en français seulement).

Nous recherchons des bénévoles avec les qualités suivantes :

  • Capacité à traduire le français ou l’anglais comme langue maternelle
  • Aptitude à traduire de l’anglais vers le français à un niveau professionnel
  • Capacité à réaliser des traductions de très bonne qualité et à respecter des délais serrés
  • Capacité à bien travailler de façon indépendante
  • Une certaine affinité avec la protection des animaux et les objectifs de HSI/Canada.

Nous demandons un engagement de seulement quelques heures par mois (selon nos besoins) sur une période minimum de six mois. Les bénévoles peuvent travailler à distance et être situés n’importe où au Canada. Les candidat(e)s devront soumettre leur CV et une lettre de motivation. La candidature sera acceptée à condition de réussir un test.

Veuillez lire la description complète pour ce poste.

Veuillez noter que le lien mène vers le système de programme de bénévolat de notre organisation partenaire, The HSUS, qui a bien voulu le partager avec nous [en anglais seulement].

Remplir votre formulaire de candidature dès maintenant

Chargé(e) de liaison avec les médias

Nous recherchons des bénévoles avec de l’expérience en communication pour nous aider à sensibiliser les médias et à rédiger les principaux documents pour nos diverses campagnes.

Les bénévoles apporteront leur aide pour :

  • Rédiger des articles, des articles d’opinion et des présentations pour les médias locaux sur les problématiques du bien-être des animaux,
  • Contacter (par téléphone ou courriel) les médias, leur demander/les encourager à publier des histoires sur le bien-être des animaux,
  • Développer des relations avec les journalistes qui traitent nos problématiques,
  • Déterminer si les histoires ont été publiées en regardant en ligne ou en contactant le média/journaliste par téléphone/courriel, puis rassembler les résultats dans un rapport mensuel,
  • Se connecter et collaborer avec les personnes influentes des réseaux sociaux pour partager notre contenu.

Nous recherchons des bénévoles avec les qualités suivantes :

  • Intérêt pour le bien-être et la protection des animaux
  • Maîtrise de Microsoft Office
  • Souci du détail
  • Excellentes compétences de communication en anglais; le français courant est un atout
  • Expérience – formation en journalisme, marketing ou communication.

Nous demandons un engagement de seulement quelques heures par mois (selon nos besoins) sur une période minimum de trois mois. Les bénévoles peuvent travailler à distance et être situés n’importe où au Canada. Les candidat(e)s devront soumettre leur CV et une lettre de motivation. La candidature sera acceptée à condition de réussir un test.

Veuillez lire la description complète pour ce poste.

Veuillez noter que le lien mène vers le système de programme de bénévolat de notre organisation partenaire, The HSUS, qui a bien voulu le partager avec nous [en anglais seulement].

Remplir votre candidature dès maintenant

Vétérinaire

Nous recherchons un(e) vétérinaire qui souhaite aider bénévolement les animaux dans un refuge temporaire ou lors de nos interventions de sauvetage animalier.

Les bénévoles apporteront leur aide pour :

  • Apporter un soutien technique pendant les examens vétérinaires initiaux ou ultérieurs, notamment pour immobiliser les animaux et archiver des données,
  • Administrer des vaccins et d’autres traitements prescrits,
  • Analyser les fonctions vitales des animaux des refuges et recommander au responsable d’éventuels examens de suivi, au besoin,
  • Réaliser des opérations de stérilisation sur les chats et les chiens lors des cliniques de stérilisation de masse.

Nous recherchons des bénévoles avec les qualités suivantes :

  • Capacités à répondre aux exigences mentionnées dans le document Compétences nécessaires, avec ou sans accommodements raisonnables
  • Excellentes compétences organisationnelles et un grand sens du détail
  • Licence pour pratiquer la profession de vétérinaire conformément aux normes provinciales.

Nous demandons un engagement d’un an et une participation à au moins une intervention par an. Les bénévoles travailleront généralement de longues journées, environ 10 heures par jour pendant les interventions.

Veuillez lire la description complète pour ce poste.

Veuillez noter que le lien mène vers le système de programme de bénévolat de notre organisation partenaire, The HSUS, qui a bien voulu le partager avec nous [en anglais seulement].

Remplir votre formulaire de candidature dès maintenant

Technicien(ne) en santé animale

Nous recherchons un(e) technicien(ne) en santé animale pour aider les animaux dans un refuge temporaire ou lors de nos interventions de sauvetage animalier.

Les bénévoles apporteront leur aide pour :

  • Apporter un soutien technique pendant les examens vétérinaires initiaux ou ultérieurs, notamment pour immobiliser les animaux et archiver des données,
  • Apporter un soutien aux vétérinaires sur place.

Nous recherchons des bénévoles avec les qualités suivantes :

  • Capacités à répondre aux exigences mentionnées dans le document Compétences nécessaires, avec ou sans accommodements raisonnables
  • Excellentes compétences organisationnelles et un grand sens du détail.

Nous demandons un engagement d’un an et une participation à au moins une intervention par an. Les bénévoles travailleront généralement de longues journées, environ 10 heures par jour pendant les interventions.

Veuillez lire la description complète pour ce poste.

Veuillez noter que le lien mène vers le système de programme de bénévolat de notre organisation partenaire, The HSUS, qui a bien voulu le partager avec nous [en anglais seulement].

Remplir votre formulaire de candidature dès maintenant

Chargé(e) de liaison (Campagne Non à la Cruauté)

Nous recherchons des bénévoles qui nous aideront à développer notre capacité de promotion de la campagne #NonALaCruaute/Mettre fin aux expérimentations animales dans les écoles primaires et secondaires, les universités et autres organisations et institutions importantes dans tout le Canada.

Les bénévoles apporteront leur aide pour :

  • Rechercher des écoles, des commissions scolaires, des universités et d’autres organisations et associations pertinentes et trouver la personne appropriée à approcher avec la campagne #NonALaCruaute /Mettre fin aux expérimentations animales,
  • Sous les directives du personnel, contacter les institutions pour leur demander de participer à la campagne canadienne # NonALaCruaute ainsi que la campagne générale visant à mettre fin aux expérimentations animales,
  • Sous les directives du personnel, rechercher des articles sur l’expérimentation animale dans les cosmétiques et ses alternatives, les produits cosmétiques non testés sur les animaux; les célébrités qui utilisent les produits cosmétiques non testés sur les animaux et qui se soucient du bien-être des animaux, les institutions qui n’ont pas recours aux tests sur les animaux, etc., et préparer des publications pour les réseaux sociaux,
  • Développer et aider à la création de nouvelles ressources et stratégies pour promouvoir la campagne # NonALaCruaute /Mettre fin aux expérimentations animales au Canada,
  • Contribuer aux réunions et aux présentations pour les représentants du gouvernement et les coordinateurs pour promouvoir la campagne # NonALaCruaute au Canada et/ou d’autres initiatives de la campagne visant à mettre fin aux expérimentations animales.

Nous recherchons des bénévoles avec les qualités suivantes :

  • Excellentes aptitudes en communication orale et écrite, en français et/ou en anglais
  • Intérêt pour la protection des animaux
  • Capable de travailler correctement de façon indépendante et de faire preuve de discernement
  • Connaissance des fonctions de base de Microsoft Excel, Word et PowerPoint, de Google docs et des outils de recherche en ligne
  • Certaines formations universitaires sont souhaitées : avoir étudié idéalement dans les secteurs de la communication, de la politique, de l’éducation, de l’environnement/du développement durable, de l’éthique, et/ou du bien-être des animaux.

Nous demandons un engagement d’un minimum de trois mois, 3 heures par semaine.

Veuillez lire la description complète pour ce poste.

Veuillez noter que le lien mène vers le système de programme de bénévolat de notre organisation partenaire, The HSUS, qui a bien voulu le partager avec nous [en anglais seulement].

Remplir votre formulaire de candidature dès maintenant

Soutien administratif (Campagne Non à la Cruauté)

Nous recherchons des bénévoles pour apporter un soutien administratif au Responsable de campagne pour augmenter ses capacités à atteindre les objectifs.

Les bénévoles apporteront leur aide pour :

  • Apporter un soutien administratif général, notamment l’archivage, la saisie de données, une aide au publipostage, la mise à jour des fichiers Excel, des photocopies, etc.,
  • Aider à organiser et à préparer les ressources de diffusion.

Nous recherchons des bénévoles avec les qualités suivantes :

  • Très bonnes compétences en communication
  • Aptitude à apprendre et à montrer une connaissance des programmes de HSI/Canada
  • Capacité à comprendre les politiques et les positions de HSI/Canada tout en les représentant de manière adéquate lors d’interaction avec le public ou en représentant HSI/Canada dans d’autres circonstances
  • Capacité à apprendre et à montrer une connaissance des principales campagnes et missions de HSI/Canada
  • Expérience dans l’administration un atout.

Nous demandons un engagement pour un minimum de trois mois, 1 à 2 heures par semaine.

Veuillez lire la description complète pour ce poste.

Veuillez noter que le lien mène vers le système de programme de bénévolat de notre organisation partenaire, The HSUS, qui a bien voulu le partager avec nous [en anglais seulement].

Remplir votre formulaire de candidature dès maintenant

Assistant(e) services aux donateurs et donatrices

Nous recherchons des bénévoles pour apporter au Directeur du développement (service de collecte de fonds) un soutien dans la recherche afin de développer ses capacités pour atteindre les objectifs.

Les bénévoles apporteront leur aide pour :

  • Rechercher comment attirer la Génération Y à contribuer financièrement à la cause,
  • Rechercher comment recruter/développer un programme de legs,
  • Rechercher des stratégies de financement participatif et d’autres opportunités de collecte,
  • • Rechercher des donateurs et donatrices importants et des rapports annuels.

Nous recherchons des bénévoles avec les qualités suivantes :

  • Très bonnes compétences en communication
  • Aptitude à apprendre et à montrer une connaissance des programmes de HSI/Canada
  • Capacité à comprendre les politiques et les positions de HSI/Canada tout en les représentant de manière adéquate lors d’interaction avec le public ou en représentant HSI/Canada dans d’autres circonstances
  • Capacité à apprendre et à montrer une connaissance des principales campagnes et missions de HSI/Canada
  • Une expérience dans le développement et la collecte de fonds est un avantage..

Nous demandons un engagement d’un minimum de trois mois, 1 à 2 heures par semaine.

Veuillez lire la description complète pour ce poste.

Veuillez noter que le lien mène vers le système de programme de bénévolat de notre organisation partenaire, The HSUS, qui a bien voulu le partager avec nous [en anglais seulement].

Remplir votre formulaire de candidature dès maintenant

Humane Society International

Complétez le formulaire d’inscription.

Les bénévoles en sauvetage animal travaillent avec l’équipe de sauvetage animal de HSI/Canada pour aider à sauver les animaux qui sont victimes de cruauté et de négligence. Que ce soit un cas de collectionneur d’animaux qui a perdu le contrôle ou une usine à chiots, les bénévoles de l’équipe de sauvetage animal aident à prodiguer les soins nécessaires aux chiens et aux chats qui ont été sauvés de ces situations.

Lorsque l’équipe de sauvetage de HSI/Canada répond à une mesure d’exécution de la loi en matière de bien-être animal, les bénévoles sont appelés à aider au soin des animaux de notre refuge d’urgence. Nos bénévoles viennent de tous les horizons, donnent généreusement de leur temps et appliquent leurs compétences et leur expérience pour venir en aide à des animaux dans le besoin. De la manipulation des animaux au nettoyage des cages, le travail des bénévoles de l’équipe de sauvetage animal est le véritable cœur de la mission de HSI/Canada qui consiste à sauver la vie des animaux.

Lorsque l’équipe de sauvetage animal est en déploiement, un délai plus long dans le traitement des candidatures est probable. Merci de votre patience.

Lieu

Le refuge d’urgence est situé au Québec, à une heure de Montréal et d’Ottawa.

Occasions de bénévolat

Refuge d’urgence/soins directs: Donner des soins aux animaux à notre refuge d’urgence, y compris nettoyer les cages et les enclos, nourrir, abreuver, réapprovisionner, laver la vaisselle et le linge, promener les chiens ou socialiser les animaux.

Ce qu’en disent nos bénévoles:

« Ce que j’apprécie le plus du bénévolat chez HSI/Canada, c’est de pouvoir aider à prendre soin des chiens et des chats les plus démunis qui soient, car ces derniers proviennent tous de milieux de vie inadéquats où ils étaient ou bien négligés ou bien maltraités. J’apprécie apprendre de nouvelles choses chaque fois que j’y vais, j’apprécie les horaires très flexibles, j’apprécie le travail d’équipe sans compétition et tous ces gens avec le même souci: aider ces animaux. Depuis l’été, j’ai initié mon conjoint et maintenant nous y allons tous les deux. À notre retour en voiture, nous nous sentons toujours bien d’avoir donné un petit coup de main à tous ces gens et d’avoir donné un peu de bonheur à ces animaux.»—Marie-Claude Barette

Bénéfices du bénévolat

Les bénévoles de l’équipe de sauvetage animal déclarent souvent que le bénévolat au refuge d’urgence a changé leur vie. Ils n’oublient jamais les animaux qu’ils ont aidé à réhabiliter ou les personnes qui font partie de cette importante mission. Les bénévoles acquièrent des compétences importantes, relèvent de nouveaux défis et font partie d’une communauté qui comprend l’importance de protéger les animaux contre les abus.

Devenir bénévole

Les bénévoles de HSI/Canada doivent avoir au moins 18 ans et doivent passer une journée complète au refuge d’urgence pour y obtenir une formation.

Les bénévoles s’engagent au départ pour un an et doivent participer à un déploiement par année.

Les bénévoles doivent répondre aux critères décrits dans le document Capacités essentielles.

Processus

Remplissez une demande en utilisant le lien ci-dessous. Veuillez noter que le système d’inscription est disponible en anglais seulement. Pour un manuel d’instructions en français, veuillez écrire à info@hsicanada.ca.

Dès réception de votre demande dûment remplie, un membre du personnel vous contactera pour discuter des prochaines étapes et pour vous faire remplir des formulaires additionnels, incluant un document de renonciation volontaire et d’exonération de responsabilités, ainsi qu’une entente de confidentialité.

Les candidats sont invités à se rendre au refuge d’urgence pour une journée de formation dans le cadre d’un processus de sélection. Si le déploiement se passe bien et que les deux parties sont satisfaites, le candidat sera admis pleinement dans le programme en tant que bénévole régulier de l’équipe de sauvetage animal.

Les bénévoles formés, vérifiés et approuvés nous informent à propos de leurs préférences et disponibilités. Lors de sauvetage animal, nos bureaux lancent un appel à tous les bénévoles qualifiés, avec tous les détails nécessaires sur la situation, la durée approximative du déploiement et les compétences particulières nécessaires. Les bénévoles intéressés répondent et doivent s’inscrire à l’horaire.

Complétez le formulaire d’inscription.

Humane Society International / Mexico

Aguascalientes, Mexico–More than 70 dogs are now on their way to better lives after their rescue from a case of neglect in Aguascalientes, Mexico, at the end of last month. The animals were living together in poor health and cramped conditions in the house of an elderly person.

The dogs were seized in an operation conducted by the Aguascalientes Environmental Attorney General Office, with support from Humane Society International/Mexico and local organization Amigos Pro-Animal. Rescuers took the animals to a temporary shelter to receive veterinary care, proper food and eventually to be adopted out. Local health authorities will monitor and provide health support to the elderly gentleman.

Felipe Márquez, manager of the HSI/Mexico program against animal cruelty, said: “Unfortunately, this is the kind of story we encounter rather frequently. Well-intentioned people try to help stray animals by picking them up, without considering the real implications of this action. Soon they find themselves in an unmanageable situation. However, thanks to the timely response and team work of APA, HSI and PROESPA, these dogs will have a second chance in life after all.”

Aguascalientes animal welfare legislation requires that animals have access to food and water, are provided with suitable and clean living conditions, receive basic health care and are not subject to abuse or ill treatment.

END

Media contact: Magaly Garibay, (+52 55) 5211 8731, ext. 104, mgaribay@idee.agency

Humane Society International / India

Erin Van Voorhies Street dog in Maharashtra, India

Vadodara— Gujarati film actress Deeksha Joshi of “Sharata Lagu” fame launched an initiative by Humane Society International/India called “Abhay Sankalp,” a programme working with residential housing colonies to ensure peaceful coexistence between street dogs and people. Representatives of 52 resident welfare associations and societies from across Vadodara signed up to participate in the campaign.

Abhay Sankalp – Abhay Bano, Abhay Banao, is a campaign to work with neighbourhoods across the city to better understand their issues with street dogs and facilitate a better understanding of rabies, dog behaviour and other aspects of street dogs living in each neighbourhood. After signing up, the residential colonies also pledge to work with HSI/India to humanely manage street dogs in their areas and bring about more responsible pet ownership amongst its members.

HSI/India implements mass street dog sterilization and vaccination projects in Dehradun, Mussoorie, Nainital, Vadodara and Malappuram. It is launching this campaign in Dehradun, Jamnagar, Malappuram and Vadodara, as a pilot. The aim is to get 400 societies signed up and actively involved in humanely supporting the management of the dogs in the community within a period of six months.

Help dogs and other animals all over the world

“Abhay Sankalp is the next step to peacefully co-existing with street dogs. Currently animal birth control projects only focus on the dogs, but no one is engaging the people around the dogs, which can result in conflicts between them. By law a street dog cannot be relocated or killed, therefore it is imperative to help communities understand dog behaviour, rabies and the importance of rabies vaccinations, how to avoid dog bites and very importantly, proper waste management,” says Rahul Sehgal, senior director for HSI Companion Animals & Engagement program.

“Animals never intend to harm us. Let’s try to respect their existence and provide them with the warmth and love they deserve. Let’s try to coexist in the best way possible with our furry friends!” emphasizes Deeksha Joshi.

“Abhay Sankalp is an immensely commendable initiative by HSI/India in Vadodara. I have had a very informative and enlightening exchange of information with the HSI team in the meeting recently organised in Sai Sarjan Society at Sun Pharma – Bhayli Road,” says Mr. Vijay Pathak, a resident of the Sun Crest Society.

END

Media contact: Uma Biswas, 91 8758807223, ubiswas@hsi.org

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