The Quebec government is conducting a listening tour to identify measures that can enhance the welfare of pets in the province. The tour, chaired by the government assistant for animal welfare, Audrey Bogemans, will consist of seven sessions held between May and September and will include meetings with thirty organizations to gather ideas on how to improve laws and intervention practices related to animal welfare. André Lamontagne, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has also announced an $8 million envelope to hire twenty workers assigned to animal welfare, including inspectors.
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British Columbia Government Proposes Changes to Simplify Pet Custody Disputes
The government of British Columbia has introduced Bill 17, the Family Law Amendment Act, 2023, which proposes amendments to the Family Law Act that are intended to provide guidance for people and judges involved in animal custody disputes. If passed, the amendments would require the consideration of factors such as each person's ability and willingness to care for the pet, the relationship between the child and the animal, and the risk of family violence or threat of cruelty. V. Victoria Shroff, animal law specialist at Shroff and Associates, said: “These amendments reflect how pets are valued as unique family members by society rather than as inanimate property like furniture […] Having relevant factors to consider for these difficult decisions will bring more clarity and is a welcome change.” These amendments are the first of their kind in Canada.
New York Bill Would Amend Social Services Law to Establish Reporting Requirements for Suspected Animal Cruelty
New York Senate Bill 5947 would establish procedures for social services workers to report acts of suspected animal cruelty. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Children and Families.
Rhode Island Bill Would Include Acts of Animal Cruelty in the Definition of Domestic Violence
Rhode Island Senate Bill 813 would amend existing definitions of “domestic violence” to include cruelty and abandonment of animals. The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
New Book Offers a Guide for Professionals Working with People and Animals in Abuse Situations
Gilly Ferreira, Joanne Williams (eds.), Understanding Animal Abuse and How to Intervene with Children and Young People: A Practical Guide for Professionals Working With People and Animals (UK: Routledge, 2023).
Summary: Understanding Animal Abuse and How to Intervene with Children and Young People offers a positive, compassion-based and trauma-informed approach to understanding and intervening in animal abuse. It provides an accessible cross-disciplinary synthesis of current international evidence on animal abuse and a toolkit for professionals working with people and/or animals to help them understand, prevent and intervene in cases of animal abuse.
With contributions from experts in the field, this essential text offers ten user-friendly chapters with questions for reflection and key summary points. It offers a definition of animal abuse, synthesises the latest research on children, young people and animal abuse, explores the link between animal abuse and other forms of abuse and outlines legal perspectives on animal abuse. The second half of the book presents a practical toolkit for professionals, offering guidance and strategies for the prevention of and intervention in cases of animal abuse. It provides multidisciplinary perspectives on interventions; from teachers’ and social workers roles in detection and intervention of childhood animal abuse, to the roles of enforcement agencies and veterinarians in legal cases of adult animal abuse.
This title is now available for pre-order and will be published on March 30th, 2023.
Rhode Island Bill Would Include Animal Cruelty or Abandonment in the Definition of Domestic Violence
Rhode Island House Bill 5919 would include animal cruelty or abandonment of animals in the definition of domestic violence. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
Book Offers Insight on Animal Issues and the Animal Rights Movement
Summary: Animals are here with us and not for us. We can do better for our animal friends when we work together collectively and individually to make a difference; by joining hands in this next great, important social justice movement. A Voice for Animals offers insight on animal issues and the animal rights movement. The first part of the book examines the close connection we share with our beloved companion animals, and the plight of homeless animals. It bridges the gap between beloved pets and homeless pets in shelters. It offers solutions to end the shelter debacle. The second part discusses the lives of other species: farm animals, animals in research, animals in captivity, and wildlife. This book provides heartfelt real life animal stories, celebrates animal victories, and explores the deep connection of animals to humans and our biological need to share our lives with them. It inspires readers to take action and get motivated for animals: adopt animals from shelters and rescues, live a cruelty-free lifestyle, and go vegan. This book advocates for the better treatment of animals by inviting you to gain an understanding of the special human-animal bond.
Illinois Bill Would Define Intimate Partner Abuse to Include Harm or Threat of Harm to Companion Animals
Illinois House Bill 3294 would amend the state’s domestic violence laws to define abuse to include abuse or threat of abuse of a companion animal. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Rules.
Rhode Island Bill Would Set Criteria for Companion Animal Custody Determinations
Rhode Island House Bill 5705 would recognize pets as “much more than mere property” and would set factors for courts to determine the ownership of an animal between formerly cohabitating parties. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
California Bill Would Help Homeless and Domestic Violence Shelters Provide Care to Companion Animals
California Assembly Bill 1215 would establish a grant program to help shelters provide housing, food, and veterinary care for pets of people experiencing homelessness or escaping domestic violence. The bill has not yet been assigned to a committee.