Reports
Our comprehensive reports library serves as a repository of knowledge, driving informed action and policy changes for the betterment of animal welfare worldwide.
Media centre
Meet our experts
Our Canada office has a team of experienced individuals with knowledge on a wide range of subjects.
To find out more or schedule an interview, please contact our media team.
Melissa Matlow
Campaign Director (she/her)
Melissa Matlow has a BSc in Ecology and a Masters in Environmental Studies and has been a regular media commentator on animal welfare and environmental issues for more than 20 years, starting out as a regular guest on CP24’s former shows: Animal House Calls with Ann Rohmer and Hunter’s Gatherings with Bob Hunter. She has visited zoos, dolphinaria, farms and slaughterhouses to assess and document animal welfare concerns and has expertise, conducted research and developed policy recommendations on zoo standards, the commercial wildlife trade, responsible tourism, farmed animal welfare standards, farmed animal transport regulations, humane and sustainable food policy and how Canada’s animal protection laws compare to other juisdictions. Melissa was honoured to be featured alongside Dr. Jane Goodall and other experts in responsible tourism, in the award-winning documentary The Last Tourist, She's been a guest on TVO's The Agenda discussing the need to regulate zoos and has been interviewed by all major Canadian media outlets on a variety of animal welfare issues.
Michèle Hamers
Wildlife Campaign Manager (she/her)
Michèle has a BSc in Animal Husbandry from HAS University of Applied Science in the Netherlands and an MSc in Animal Biology and Welfare from the University of Essex, UK. She is specialized in captive wildlife welfare and behaviour and the trade in these animals, specifically related to wild animals kept in zoological facilities and as pets. Professional recognitions include the designation of European Professional Biologist (EurProBiol), being a Registered Scientist (RSci) with the Royal Society of Biology and a Master Herpetologist.
Michèle has written and contributed to numerous reports and papers on Canada’s role in the commercial captive wildlife trade. Including on regulatory solutions for the trade, use and keeping of wild animals as pets (“exotic pets”) and on risks related to the import of wild animals into Canada. She has also made frequent media appearances to talk about the problems with Canada’s roadside zoos.
Lynn Kavanagh
Farming Campaign Manager (she/her)
Lynn holds a B.A. in Philosophy and an MSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Guelph. She oversees World Animal Protection’s farming and food systems campaign, working to change government and corporate policies to improve animal welfare, and raise public awareness about the plight of farm animals in Canada. In her work advocating for a more humane and sustainable food system, Lynn promotes and advocates for increased plant-based production and consumption for animals, human health and the environment.
Lynn has written and contributed to numerous reports and articles on farm animal welfare and related issues, including highlighting the lack of regulatory and legal protections for farm animals in Canada, the poor treatment of end-of-life dairy cows, and the welfare of farmed fish. She has also conducted several media interviews on various farm animal welfare issues.
We’re always happy to respond to media inquiries and can arrange comment and interviews with our campaign and policy experts.
Contact our media team for any inquiries:
Beth Sharpe, Communications Director
1 416 369 0044 x111
Toll-free: 1 800 363 9772 x111
BethSharpe@worldanimalprotection.ca
In the news
- September 2022 | Breakfast television: How lowering your meat consumption can help the future of our climate
- August 2022 | National Observer: Eating less meat could help Canada achieve its climate goals
- June 2022 | CBC: Charity urges tourists to stay away from Ontario's roadside zoos this summer
- December 2021 | Toronto Star: We need to make the connection between climate change and industrial animal agriculture
- September 2021 | Toronto Sun: World Animal Protection says animal welfare is an election issue
- August 2021 | blogTO: These fast food restaurants in Toronto have the worst chicken welfare rankings
- July 2021 | CBC: African Lion Safari ended elephant rides after 2019 attack. So why are they still allowed in Canada?
- May 2021 | The Hamilton Spectator: COVID-19 taught us we need to fix our broken food system
- April 2021 | National Observer: The wildlife trade and the next global pandemic
- June 2020 | Toronto Star: Ontario law to protect food producers could punish whistleblowers, animal rights groups warn
- February 2020 | CBC The Current: Experts call for global ban on live animal markets, wildlife trade amidst coronavirus outbreak
- March 2020 | Radio Canada International: Report: Canada receives failing grade for animal welfare laws
- October 2019 | Bloomberg: Humane conditions on chicken farms less costly than previously thought: Report
- October 2019 | CTV News: World Farm Animals Day
- June 2019 | France 24: Canada bans capture and breeding of dolphins, whales
Press releases
2023 archive
- December 4, 2023 - Kangaroo found safe raises concerns over system of wildlife trade and roadside zoos in Canada
- November 7, 2023 - World Animal Protection troubled by news Canada is on track to miss 2030 targets
- September 19, 2023 – Stronger animal welfare provisions key to lowering the use of antimicrobials in animal agriculture
- July 18, 2023 – 'Anyone can own a zoo in Ontario' Highlighting why Ontario ranks dead last in zoo regulations
- May 18, 2023 – Municipal leaders join World Animal Protection and Toronto Zoo in calling for tougher regulations and meaningful enforcement around captive wildlife
- May 8, 2023 – Deeply disturbing reports of further animal deaths at Marineland require urgent investigating and tighter regulations
- February 28, 2023 – New report highlights how the system fails to protect dairy cows
- February 15, 2023 – Major travel companies receive failing grade for selling exploitative animal experiences abroad
2022 archive
- December 14, World Animal Protection is calling on COP15 to address biodiversity and pandemic disease risks from the wildlife trade
- November 9, World Animal Protection calls on Canada to recognize role of factory farming in climate crisis
- September 28, Few regulations, many problems: World Animal Protection releases new investigation into roadside zoos in Ontario
- August 18, Canada's 2030 climate targets achievable if Canadians move to more plant-based lifestyle
- June 29, Marineland controversy grows as World Animal Protection urges Groupon to stop profiting from venues that exploit animals
- May 18, Canada's dangerous 'roadside' zoo season is upon us
- April 7, Health toll from industrial farming to soar as demand for cheap meat skyrockets
- March 23, As Marineland returns to court, new polling shows vast majority of Ontarians support overhaul of Animal Welfare Legislation
- March 22, World Animal Protection celebrates introduction of Animal Welfare Legislation in the Senate
- March 11, Say 'no' to exploitative animal tourism and 'yes' to supporting wildlife
- March 3, World Animal Protection celebrates UN resolution in a step towards recognizing animal welfare's role in global climate crisis, biodiversity and pandemic risk
2021 archive
- December 21, Global Charity Reminds People to Think of Animals During the Holiday Season & Beyond
- December 1, Top Eco & Animal-Friendly Tips to Go Green this Holiday Season
- October 29, The impact of animal agriculture is a major climate culprit that needs more attention at COP26
- September 27, Small lifestyle changes can make a big and positive difference in the lives of animals and the health of the planet
- September 3, Animal welfare is an election issue and voters must continue to speak out for animals says charity
- August 11, New polling shows Canadian voters are very concerned about the impact of industrial farming
- July 27, Canadian fast-food companies failing when it comes to chicken welfare says new global report
- June 30, New report from World Animal Protection says cruel, fake animal rescue videos still prevalent on YouTube
- May 21, G20 leaders urged at Global Health Summit to take bold action to prevent future pandemics
- May 6, Canadians urge the government to curb the global wildlife trade to prevent another pandemic
- April 7, A new report finds waterways near industrial farms in Canada could be a public health threat
- April 1, Retail Council of Canada backtracks on animal welfare commitments
- March 31, Sobeys and Loblaws among those lagging on improving animal welfare says new global report
- March 26, World Animal Protection releases new report on Canada's role in the global commercial wildlife trade
- January 27, World Animal Protection Supports New Whale Heritage Sites
- January 19, World Animal Protection calls on PetSmart to stop selling wild animals
2020 archive
- December 4, Exotic pets may suffer during the holiday season warns global charity
- November 19, Canadians demand G20 leaders stop the wildlife trade to prevent another pandemic
- October 16, World Animal Protection highlights the threat of superbugs on World Food Day
- October 2, We should all speak up for animals on World Farm Animals Day
- September 30, World Animal Protection says UN leaders must curb the global wildlife trade to protect biodiversity and stop future pandemics
- September 28, More action needed to end rabies by 2030 deadline says World Animal Protection
- September 23, More support needed to help mother pigs have better welfare conditions says global charity World Animal Protection
- July 27, Music icons join World Animal Protection in calling for a ban on the global wildlife trade to help stop another pandemic
- June 26, New footage from World Animal Protection shows cruel elephant training for tourist entertainment
- May 12, World Animal Protection Calls on G20 Leaders to Help Prevent Another Pandemic
- April 21, World Animal Protection Says COVID-19 Shines Light on a Broken Food System and Animal Welfare
- April 17, World Animal Protection Launches Emergency Appeal for Elephants in Thailand Facing Starvation Due to COVID-19
- April 7, World Animal Protection Calls on WHO to Ban Wildlife Markets to Save Human Lives
- April 2, Cruel Bear Bile Industry Thrives Despite Pandemic Risks Says World Animal Protection
- March 23, World Animal Protection Calls for International Ban on Wildlife Trade Due to COVID-19
- March 10, Canada Flunks on Animal Welfare Says Global Report from World Animal Protection
- January 15, Global charity, World Animal Protection, says fast food chains are failing when it comes to chicken welfare
- January 10, International Australian Bushfire Recovery Appeal launched for animals
2019 archive
- December 9, Bring Comfort and Joy To Animals This Holiday Season
- November 25, New Report From World Animal Protection Says Improving Animal Welfare on Farms Is Key to Fighting Superbugs
- October 24, New report from World Animal Protection exposes scale of suffering behind dolphin tourism experiences
- October 4, Risky Business in Your Neighbourhood, According to New Report from World Animal Protection
- October 2, World Farm Animals Day Highlights Need for Better Animal Welfare Standards
- July 29, Canadian zoos among venues offering cruel, outdated activities says new global report
- July 22, New hope for chickens living in horrible factory farm conditions
- June 7, World Oceans Day is a Reason to Celebrate and Reflect
- June 5, Walmart Canada Should Publicly Confirm Higher Welfare Plans for Mother Pigs
- May 29, Otter smuggling fuelled by craze for cute animals
- March 21, Many seafood companies in murky waters when it comes to tackling lost fishing gear
- March 8, Captive marine mammals traded and exploited for tourist entertainment
- February 27, Animal welfare is seemingly not a priority for some global food companies indicates international report
- January 21, Fast Food Chains Lack Commitment on Chicken Welfare
2018 archive
- December 19, Global charity discovers superbugs in pork products
- December 18, Lizards and turtles and birds? Oh My… Animal Charity Urges People Not To Give Exotic Pets As Gifts During Holiday Season.
- November 30, Giving Back to Animals This Holiday Season
- November 22, Award Winning Charity Reveals Travel Associations Could Do More to Protect Wildlife
- September 29, Undercover investigation: Shocking new evidence finds wild jaguars cruelly poached to fuel traditional Asian medicine trade
- September 27, Next generation of travellers are opting out of harmful animal activities
- September 20, Canada signs on to global initiative to protect marine wildlife
- June 5, Saving marine animals with new mobile game partnership
- May 29, Thai elephant camp is pioneering elephant-friendly tourism in Thailand
- April 17, Walmart Canada has the chance to win customers through transparency
- March 28, The Travel Corporation partners with World Animal Protection to help protect animals in tourism
- March 08, High Liner and 14 other seafood giants ranked in new report
