1. CFHS Member UpdateJanuary-March 2013

2. Utilizing the power and reach of Canada Post to raise the profile of adoptionIn 2011 the CFHS pitched Canada Post on a stamp to celebrate and encourage adoption! We are excited to announcethat on April 22nd, alongside its founding member the Ottawa Humane Society and Canada Post, CFHS will launch aspecial commemorative 5-stamp series promoting animal adoption. The images on the stamps were supplied by CFHSmember Toronto Humane Society. The event at the Ottawa Humane Society and will be attended by Members ofParliament, Senators, public figures and the media. Canadian stamps are recognized internationally to be among the finestin the world and the new Choose Adoption series has already generated lots of excitement. 3. CFHS responds to calls to standardize shelter practicesOn February 14th and 15th the CFHS brought together animal shelter thought leaders and stakeholders from across thecountry to convened a process for creating a set of shelter standards for Canada. The group established the scope andframework for setting the standards and accepted the principles of the ASV Guidelines and Standards of Care in AnimalShelters as a foundational document. A sub-committee of experts is currently reviewing the ASV document and willprovide recommendations to the newly formed Standards Taskforce on revisions, additions and approvals to make thedocument Canadian. 4. CFHS is keeping the voice of humane societies and SPCAs at the table during challengingnegotiations to improve farm animal welfareCFHS representatives sit at no less than 7 negotiating tables with industry to work out improved welfare for animals onfarm. The code of practice for beef cattle was released for public comment over the winter and the code committee isnow determining how to best include recommendations. The equine code has undergone public comment and revisions.The pig code is scheduled for public comment in June and CFHS implores all its members to weigh in on the issues. Thepoultry codes (layers and broilers) is in motion! 5. New strategies and tactics for addressing animal abuseAfter a thorough assessment of the current political landscape the CFHS is considering the following initiatives:* A dog protection bill which would address puppy mills, dog fighting and provide better protection for lawenforcement animals;* Creating a national tribunal on animal law;* Continued support for the tabled opposition party Private Members Bills to amend the Criminal Code of Canada;* Developing materials that support prosecutors to utilize the criminal code with regards to animal cruelty. 6. CFHS weighs in on plight of captive wild animals in OntarioAt a February consultation with representatives from the Ontario Government the CFHS encouraged the government toadopt a ban on the keeping of marine mammals in captivity and to create a licensing system for all zoos, menageries andaquaria in the province. 7. Political network used to help elephants destined for CaliforniaIn 2011, after much research, the Toronto zoo made the decision to retire their three elephants to the Performing AnimalWelfare Society in California. Logistically it was decided that it would be best to fly the elephants to ensure theircomfort. The CFHS has been working with St. Catharines MP Rick Dykstra to bring this issue to the direct attention ofMinister Peter MacKay to allow the use of an RCAF C-17 plane to transport the elephants. DND is expected to make adecision shortly. Photo: Kaeko/Torontoist 8. Watching the watchdog CFHS calls for more transparency for animals in researchThe Canadian Council on Animal Care is undergoing a major strategic planning process due to significant funding cuts.CFHS is participating at three levels: at the council level, in strategic planning meetings and advising the directors. TheCFHS is focussed on four areas of feedback a re-commitment to animal welfare as the central tenet of theorganization, greater transparency of the system and in particular regarding the research being conducted on almost 4million animals at publically funded facilities in Canada, strategic focus on the 3Rs (to foster the eventual goal of CFHSof not needing animals in research), and to restructure the governance to include more stakeholder input into the CCAC. 9. Strengthening the movementToronto Humane Society, the second oldest Humane Society in Canada, joins the Federation! 10. Growing the CFHS expert team!Dr. Toolika Rastogi has hit the ground running as the new Policy and Research Manager. Toolika comes to CFHS withan extensive career as a senior policy analyst for the federal government at both Environment Canada and CFIA whereshe was responsible for multi-stakeholder consultations, representing the government in UN negotiations and policydevelopment and research. She has a background in laboratory science, biodiversity conservation and sustainabledevelopment and spent a year working with OECD in Paris. She is fluent in French. Her PhD is in Molecular andMedical Genetics with a post doc in Conservation Genetics. 11. Updating Popular ToolsAt the CVMA Animal Welfare Committee, we are in the beginning stages of revising the Kennel Code. And, to helpshelters and municipalities across the country, the CFHS, as a member of the National Companion Animal Coalition, isworking on updates to the Enlightened Approach to Animal Control including model by-laws. The revised documentis scheduled to be available at the end of the year. 12. Exciting events in the next few months:Provincial cat stakeholder meetings kickoff on May 7th in New BrunswickThe Draft Pig Code of Practice is will be available for public comment in JuneThe Case for Spay/Neuter report will launch in Autumn 2013Planning for the 2014 CFHS National Animal Welfare conference is well underway Save the date April 5-8 2014! 13. Join the team!The CFHS is looking for Board Members. This is your chance to shape the future of the animal welfare in Canada and theFederation. If youre interested contact Barbara Cartwright Barbara@cfhs.caPhoto: CFHS board member advocating for Humane Societies and SPCAs on Parliament Hill.