A funny thread emerged when we compiled this week’s episode of Defender Radio: the lines in our lives. While listening to the interviews, we realized that there are so many crossovers when discussing animal welfare, advocacy and activism. Cary Rentola of the WOLF Sanctuary draws a line between wanting to be close to nature and …
An Ontario MPP has introduced a private members bill in the legislature calling for a return of the spring bear hunt, citing public safety concerns as his primary motivation and saying his bill would somehow protect cubs and mothers. “The re-introduction of the Spring Bear Hunt is something that a lot of Northerners have been …
An article in Wednesday’s London Free Press indicated that the fur industry is surging, with millions being made. What it doesn’t address is who is making those millions. We recently visited Nova Scotia, particularly the areas between Yarmouth and Annapolis Royal, where fur farms are centered in Canada. Yes, there has been exponential growth in …
Killers in British Columbia are rejoicing: trapping season is beginning. For those who find the cruelty and pain of a wild animal pleasurable, it truly is like a bloody Christmas. The use of leg-hold, Conibear and body-gripping traps becomes legal on a variety of species every year in October. And every October, we begin receiving …
It’s finally here! After a great deal of quiet background work, we’re pleased to launch this first official episode of Defender Radio, a new podcast that focuses on the fur industry, wildlife, advocacy and everything animal related. We also must thank Brad Gates of Gates’ Wildlife Control in Toronto who has been a strong supporter …
In 2011, the District of Invermere began a process to cull deer throughout the region. The residents, who formed the Invermere Deer Protection Society (IDPS), claimed that municipal regulations for committees were not followed and that the government pushed forward the agenda despite overwhelming support for alternate solutions. As a result of legal actions taken …
Support opposition to deer culls at Supreme Court Read More »
There’s probably a bad “cross the road” joke in it somewhere, but the important news is that wildlife in Kootenay National Park will have a better chance of avoiding human-based accidents with the opening of three wildlife tunnels on Highway 93 South. According to a CTV News article, the $4.9M project included 4.6 km of …
On September 20, 2013, The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals hosted the 3rd Annual Living With Wildlife Conference in Vancouver,,British Columbia. Experts from across the country were brought together to discuss various conflict management options and share their experience with the audience. Defender Radio was on hand to record the presentations. Mike …
When it was recently announced that Levi’s and Canada Goose were teaming up“to bring forth an assortment of pieces to combat the coming climate in a stylish and protective manner”, we expected to see the coyote fur-lined hoods that have come to define Canada Goose Inc. as an infamously cruel company. Even animal-friendly giant LUSH …
Levi’s teams up with coyote-killing Canada Goose Inc. Read More »
It’s been an exciting week for fur-free advocates! This past weekend, West Hollywood, California (WeHo) saw its ban on the sale of fur go into effect, making it the very first city in the US to ban the sale of furs including shoes, hats, and gloves lined with fur trim. Violators will now be subject …
The times, they are a changin’ (and they’re looking fur-free) Read More »
Jasmine Polsinelli is at it again. You may remember her for being theyoungest lifetime memberof APFA, ever. At eleven years old, she's already a seasoned activist, never afraid to confront the industries responsible for animal suffering. Earlier this year, Jasmine headed toCanada Goose Inc.'s headquarters to meet CEO Dani Reiss. Her hope was to "go …
Just a few years ago, the fur industry proclaimed that their flagship, Pappas Furs (located in Vancouver) was turning huge profits. It was discovered this week, however, that after 100 years, Pappas Furs is closing. While the website for Pappas is citing closure due to retirement, the store is clearly looking to make some fast …
Two raccoons suffered horrible fates on Vancouver Island. They were each found – within weeks of each other – after being caught in and dragging leg-hold traps for an unknown period of time. Kari Marks of the BC SPCA’s Wild ARC (Animal Rehabilitation Centre) said she hopes the practice of trapping will end, and described …
A recent story on TheProvince.com is warning drivers in British Columbia to beware as rutting season for deer statistically coincides with a peak in wildlife-driver collisions. The article explains that “according to figures from the Insurance Corp. of B.C., from 2008 to 2012 the southern interior saw 21,800 crashes involving animals (both domestic and wildlife) …
The horrific story of a raccoon and her baby being viciously killed in Ottawa upset our members – and everyone else who heard it – across the country. Now our friends at Animal Alliance are hoping to make a difference. Their petition, addressed to Ontario Attorney General John Gerretsen, is aimed at setting precedent in …
PETITION: Deliver maximum sentence in animal abuse case Read More »
Something sure does smell in Windsor, Ontario, these days, but it isn’t the skunks. The City of Windsor has reacted to some residents’ concerns about the prevalence of local skunks by spending $80,000 on a trap and kill program. That’s right – because some citizens don’t like skunks, the entire population has been marked for …
It all started with a grad student taking a unique view of an all-too common concern. In 1997, the coyote population in Vancouver was becoming more visible to residents. While the media was reporting sensationalized stories, Kristine Webber began asking her own questions. The result was a ground breaking examination of how local residents viewed …
Living With Wildlife Conference: Meet Dan Straker Read More »
Where do babies come from, Mom? It’s an endearing question that all parents must one day face. Thankfully, we don’t have children; we have stuffies. And we’ve got a great answer to the question, “Where do stuffies come from?” Alina Matvejane, a Russian Latvian, makes each of our stuffies by hand (hence our limited stock). …
Dr. Shelley Alexandar, a professor at the University of Calgary, is one of the numerous speakers heading to Vancouver for the 3rd Annual Living With Wildlife Conference on September 20. Dr. Alexandar is best known for her field work with coyotes, a media content analysis study that shocked readers and most recently as a member …
Living With Wildlife Conference: Meet Dr. Shelley Alexander Read More »
Happy hump day, everybody! We all like to stay healthy, even beavers! Wildlife photographer Gregory Kerekes caught this little guy doing some morning yoga. Find out how we help beavers by visiting our Beaver Coexistence page.
With headlines like Export driven boom lines pockets of Alberta trappers or Fur trapping taps into rising demand, it can be hard to know what to make of the news these days. But there are a few key things to consider when reading these news items that show accuracy isn’t always what it should be …
The 3rd Annual Living With Wildlife Conference is ready to go on September 20, 2013 in Vancouver. Among our presenters is Sylvia Dolson, Executive Director of the Get Bear Smart Society. Sylvia has worked tirelessly with the Get Bear Smart Society to educate residents and police/park officials on how to coexist safely and responsibly with …
Living With Wildlife Conference: Meet Sylvia Dolson Read More »
It’s finally here – the last long weekend before the world starts spinning again. In Canada, this of course means one final trip to the cottage. The powers-that-be are reminding you to not drink and drive and avoid distractions (both important). But we want to remind you of one other thing: you’re not the only …
With the support of the Ontario government, children ages 12 to 15 will be taught how to cruelly kill wildlife by two hunting and trapping lobby groups. In a press statement issued Wednesday, the Ontario Federation of Hunters and Anglers (OFAH) and the Ontario Fur Managers Federation (OFMF) ‘congratulated’ the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources …
