Love animals? Well, many people do, but no one has done more to advance animal rights in Canada than Barbara Cartwright. The long-time CEO of Humane Canada – also known as the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies – Barbara is an award-winning leader who has dedicated her life to giving a voice to animals, both domestic and wild. She convenes and represents the largest animal welfare community in Canada, working with government, corporations and non-profits to end animal cruelty, improve animal protection and promote the humane treatment of all animals. She has established community-based animal welfare programs, created BC’s first grizzly bear rehabilitation program and contributed to the protection of the endangered right whale. Barbara has drafted, consulted on and secured amendments to provincial and federal legislation, including updates to the Criminal Code, the Migratory Bird Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. And she has advised some of the top organizations in the world on animal welfare policy and is consulted by all political parties on animal welfare issues.
We sat down with Barbara in downtown Ottawa to hear her story and her case for why animal welfare should be an issue on everyone’s agenda.
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What do you think?
- What are your thoughts? Do animals deserve more protection, more rights?
- Should we prioritize resources to help individuals over populations? Or is helping individuals how we protect populations?
- When it comes to animal rights, do you see Canada as a leader or a laggard? Is your opinion rooted in research or bias?
- What might make you rethink what you already know?
- What common ground can you find with those you disagree with?