Several Fairmont hotels offer sled dog rides including Le Manoir Richelieu, Montebello, Tremblant, Chateau Lake Louise, and Jasper Park Lodge.

Please sign this petition to ask Fairmont to move away from this problematic and outdated practice.

Other businesses have stopped supporting dog sledding.  In particular, Jack Daniel's, Coca-Cola,  Alaska Airlines, Wells Fargo, and most recently ExxonMobil have dropped their sponsorship of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. 

Public opinion is shifting away from using animals for entertainment and this is reflected in legislation changes such as the federal ban on keeping whales and dolphins in captivity, horse-drawn carriage bans, and municipal circus bans.
 
In addition, in a study co-authored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to attack than dogs who are not tethered. 
 
Many people are not aware of how sled dogs live, but please know that they suffer:
 
o   Between racing and pulling tourists, they are kept on heavy, 6-foot chains next to dilapidated doghouses or plastic barrels.

o   Dogs are subjected to all weather conditions from extreme heat to freezing cold temperatures. In the summer, they have little shade and can suffer from heat-related illnesses such as dehydration and heat stroke. During the winter, they are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and can be seen shivering and holding their paws off the ground.

o   Dogs are denied veterinary care for painful injuries due to associated costs.

o   They are deprived of everything that is meaningful to them: exercise, play, mental stimulation, and companionship.

o   Dog breeds vary, including those with short hair such as Greyhound mixes.

o   Mushers have culled dogs who don’t seem to have the spirit or the strength for the sled dog lifestyle.  As there is no requirement to report how many dogs are culled, the death toll is unknown. 

o   There is a misconception that sled dogs are 'super athletes', however, their welfare needs are the same as any other pet dog.  

The Vancouver Humane Society describes these living conditions as common and is urging the public to boycott sled dog tours.

Ask Fairmont hotels to move away from dog sledding, and rather be a leader in hosting only compassionate and humane activities. 

Thank you for your support!