PROGRESS!! Momentum Continues to Build In Collaboration with James Tsai, Founder of ArfArf BarkBark
NEWS - Support From Honorable Jagrup Brar, MLA
I am pleased to provide this second update which has ground-breaking potential.
In collaboration with James Tsai and his team at Arf Arf Bark Bark Rescue Foundation, my animal advocacy group Compassion For Canines is excited.
Please sign. Please share James' petition.
https://www.change.org/p/make-it-illegal-to-eat-dog-and-cat-meat-in-canada
We met with Honorable Jagrup Brar, MLA on Friday February 1, 2019.
Honorable Brar affirmed his support of James' application and proposal to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Province that his team be provided Key Stakeholder position. This would allow direct influence in the current re-draft of animal welfare law.
We are pleased with Honorable Brar's position on animal welfare. Our impression is he is an effective and progressive embodiment of the type of politician British Columbia needs.
On behalf of Arf Arf Bark Bark Rescue Foundation's expression of interest:
1. Arf Arf Bark Bark Rescue requests Key Stakeholder status on behalf of our extensive support base to address proposed changes to British Columbia's animal welfare laws. We provide a true reflection of British Columbia's dog and cat owners who have a wholehearted interest in the direction the Province is currently proceeding. We collectively represent over 1.9 million supporters.
2. This re-draft was in progress BEFORE our involvement and genesis as of the previous government. James Tsai began lobbying the Province in early 2018 with the assistance and tireless work of Honorable MLA Jagrup Brar and his team. Without Honorable Brar's support, it is highly likely proposed legislation would have become law to which public input would have then been moot.
3. Transparency is paramount to all British Columbians. We are advised the Ministry of Agriculture has been in consultation with the following key stakeholders:
- BC SPCA
- College of Veterinarians of British Columbia
- BC Breeders and Feeder Association
- Various British Columbia humane societies
4. We propose mandatory spay/neuter within one year of adoption/purchase of dogs and cats (and is relational to rescue dogs and cats at least one year of age at the time of ownership). For juvenile, show and breeding dogs and cats, allocations of age should be considered. We are aware this may conflict with some veterinarians, we agree 2 years of age is appropriate for domestically acquired dogs and cats. If science produces a cost-effective and proven safe method of chemical spay/neuter, this should be considered.
5. Any person breeding dogs within British Columbia should be licensed. Notwithstanding the value of life itself, this would immediately and effectively force online advertising websites such as Kijiji from being the primary tool used by unlicensed breeders known as Backyard Breeder ('BYB') from advertising the sale of dogs and cats without displaying a valid British Columbia 'Breeder License'. This is similarly required of car dealers and real estate agents.
IMPORTANT - Arf Arf Bark Bark Rescue strongly states mandatory licensing and declaration would effectively end the majority of all BYBs from illegally operating and thus eliminate the serious health issues of the majority of BYB bred dogs and cats (often seen in the media). This would restrict 'puppy flippers' from their illegal activities.
6. Our team suggests proposed law include mandatory provision and display of the breeder's license on any and all advertising online, print or other sourceable media. In other words...the repeated refusal of online advertising websites to stop the sale of dogs and cats online would now be subject to LEGAL ACTION should these websites fail to comply by requiring their advertising dog and cat sellers and breeders to display valid 'Breeder Licenses'.
7. The sale of dogs and cats in British Columbia is valued at an estimated value between $360 million to $450 million annually. It is reasonable to assume the majority of BYB sales are not declared. Our research indicates there is an estimated 900,000 dogs and cats in British Columbia. In the City of Vancouver and surrounding area, there is an estimated 195,000 dogs and 180,000 cats for a total of 375,000.
8. Our research estimates there are 9.4 million domesticated dogs and 10.2 million cats in Canada. Estimated value of $8 billion nationally.
- 89 million dogs and 86 million cats in the United States.
- 900 million dogs and 1 billion cats globally.
The pet industry in the United States was $72 billion in 2018.
9. For existing licensed breeders, both commercial and hobby, we suggest the Province provide grandfathering and/or limited and/or reduced (proposed) breeding license fee to avoid double-jeopardy.
Team Members Include:
- James Tsai has been recognized as the "top expert in North America" for his ground-breaking work with the most extremely dangerous dogs in North America by major newspapers, radio and national television. His foundation provides extensive pro bono training and consults to several of the largest rescue organizations in North America, including SRGDRR (largest Great Dane rescue in North America) and the esteemed Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation.
- Tracy Tien with a BSc in Statistics, BA in Psychology, completing degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and; college diplomas in both Marketing and Business Admin as well as a licensed realtor operating in key affluent communities.
- Sharon Lee in a community-based educator with extensive experience.
- Extensive international and local recognition in animal welfare and advocacy across our entire team spectrum.
- Mia Forrester with a BSc Hons in Animal Behaviour. Ms. Forrester accepted an invitation to present at Yale in 2017 at the age of 28.
James' Initiatives:
- First and only successfully accepted British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal action in 127 years alleging (systemic) violations of British Columbia Human Rights Code by the City of Vancouver Animal Control which has been in operations since 1891.
- First and only successfully (and non-monetary) settled systemic British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal action against the City of Vancouver in early 2010's for discriminating against persons with disabilities by not providing accessible city street parking. My action resulted in Vancouver being recognized as one of the leading cities in the world.
- Progressive discussions with Honorable Ken Hardie, MP to criminalize human consumption of dogs and cats in Canada.
Being lead team on this objective proposal with Hon. Brar, we believe our extensive organic influence, extensive backgrounds and support base would provide independent benefit genuinely reflective of our ground base and should normally qualify as a key stakeholder protocol.
We represent a fair and significant reflection of the voices of tens of thousands of British Columbia's partisan and nonpartisan voters spanning representation which we believe is unmatched at what the Government of British Columbia currently may be enlisting as key stakeholders.
On behalf of our team...Thank you,
Mia Forrester
Tracy Tien
Sharon Lee
James Tsai