For more than a century the Ontario SPCA has taken a leadership role in affecting legislation to address farm animal welfare issues in Ontario. Over the years the Society has experienced many important legislative victories that have led to improved animal laws and increased protection for farm animals. Read about some of our recent victories.

Contribution to positive changes within the meat inspection system
In 2004 the Ontario Government commissioned Justice Roland Haines to conduct a review of the meat inspection system in Ontario. That review became broad reaching and focused on a number of animals welfare issues in the livestock industry in Ontario. The Ontario SPCA was active in the process, meeting with Justice Haines and his staff and speaking at public hearings.

As a result of the meeting between Justice Haines and the Ontario SPCA, the Report of the Meat Regulatory and Inspection Review made a number of strong recommendations that will benefit farm animals, including: provincial regulations on the transport of animals; increased staff and funding to Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) to shut down illegal slaughterhouses; and training for slaughterhouse staff. The Ontario SPCA Investigations Department's work with the review resulted in over 20 animal welfare recommendations, including those listed above, which OMAFRA has started to act upon.

Partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
In February 2004 the Ontario SPCA partnered with OMAFRA to better protect livestock in Ontario. Through a grant from the BSE Compensation Fund the Ontario SPCA was able to purchase captive bolt pistols to allow veterinarians and sales barn owners to humanely euthanize compromised animals arriving at sales barns. Further, OMAFRA appointed four Ontario SPCA inspectors under the Livestock Community Sales Act as a pilot project to monitor the welfare of animals at sales barns.