Humane Transport / Animal Welfare

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) role in animal welfare and the transportation of animals includes the following activities:

• protecting all species of animals during transportation;
• verifying that humane slaughter requirements are respected in all federally registered establishments;
• participating in national and international standards development; and
• working closely with all stakeholders involved in animal welfare, in order to resolve any issues that may have an impact on the CFIA's mandate.

If CFIA inspectors encounter suspected cases of animal abuse or neglect that fall outside the CFIA's jurisdiction, they forward the necessary information to the appropriate animal welfare authorities in Canada.

The CFIA enforces the following regulations:

• the Health of Animals Regulations, which govern the humane transportation of all animals in Canada, and
• the Meat Inspection Regulations, which govern the humane handling and slaughter of animals in federally registered slaughter establishments.

The CFIA provides the following information to the public:

• Animal Welfare in Canada
• Brochure - Can I come Too? Protecting Pets When They Travel
• Humane Handling and Slaughter of Food Animals in Canada
• Transportation of Animals in Canada

The CFIA provides the following information to producers and the livestock sector:

• Compromised Animals Policy
• Livestock Transport Requirements in Canada
• Poster: Is that Animal Fit for the Trip?
• Transporting Horses in Canada: Is that Animal Fit for the Trip?

Notices to industry/news releases

• 2011-12-19- Reminder - Designated Border Ports of Entry for Feeder and Slaughter Horses Entering Canada from the United States
• 2011-10-31- Notice to Industry - Designated Border Ports of Entry for Feeder and Slaughter Horses Entering Canada from the United States
• News Release - Government of Canada cracks down on livestock transport violators: New regulations more than double fines