As a resident of Nova Scotia, I am deeply concerned about the current state of animal welfare in our province. Our shelters are overburdened, often operating beyond capacity due to the high number of animals being surrendered or abandoned. It is heartbreaking to witness animals being left out in harsh weather conditions because their owners can no longer care for them.

Furthermore, there is a worrying trend where pets are adopted at pet stores without the new owners fully understanding the responsibilities involved. This lack of education often leads to these pets being returned or worse, abandoned again. It is not uncommon for you to be able to walk into a pet store in Nova Scotia and purchase an animal. Are the places these animals are purchased from reputable or humane? That is unknown. 

Rabbits are one of the most surrendered animals globally. This is because many people don’t understand the work and their long-term commitment. Therefore, when the novelty wears off, many of these rabbits are surrendered or abandoned due to over-capacity issues within our shelters. Despite this, backyard breeders continue to breed rabbits and the cycle continues. 

Nova Scotia needs stronger laws that protect our animals and alleviate pressure on our shelters. We need legislation that ensures potential pet owners are adequately educated about their responsibilities before adoption, pet stores are supporting local shelters instead of buying from unknown sources, curbing backyard breeding, and placing better municipal by-laws to ensure animal welfare. 

According to a 2019 report by the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS), there were approximately 81,000 cats and 29,000 dogs admitted into Canadian shelters with only half finding new homes. The rest were either euthanized or remained in shelter care indefinitely.

We urge lawmakers in Nova Scotia to take immediate action by implementing comprehensive animal protection laws that will not only safeguard our furry friends but also reduce strain on local shelters.

Please join us in advocating for better provincial laws for animal protection - sign this petition today!