Farmed Animal Transport

	Crammed into trucks for hours.© Animals' Angels

Each year in Canada, more than 600 million farmed animals suffer routine abuses and traumas during their transport to auction and slaughter. These animals experience tremendous psychological and physiological stress and exhaustion as they are transported in cramped, overcrowded, unsanitary conditions and are subjected to rough handling, beatings and electric shocks; and all this without food or water and in extreme temperatures. By law, these horrific conditions can last up to 72 hours.

As a result, many animals suffer horrific injuries, diseases are spread and some die before ever reaching their destination. In fact, more than 12 million animals arrive dead or dying at Canadian inspected slaughterhouses each year. These animals, known as “downers,” are typically dragged off the truck with electric winches and chains.

Despite the prevalence of abuse and more than 500 000 truckloads of animals on the road each year, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (a department of Agriculture Canada that oversees animal transport) only convicts and fines about six truckers per year for violations. Enforcement is clearly not adequate, with too few CFIA inspectors and only spot-check inspections on Canadian highways. The Canadian government is needlessly turning a blind eye to the suffering of hundreds of millions of animals, while the meat, dairy and egg industries profit from their pain.

What We’re Doing
HSI Canada is fighting to reduce the level of suffering endured by what is perhaps the largest single group of animals—those destined for slaughter for human consumption.  HSI works to share knowledge about humane handling and transport and is part of the Handle with Care campaign, an international coalition calling for an end to the long distance transportation of animals for slaughter all around the globe.

Take Action
Learn more about animal transport and write to the Minister of Agriculture, your MP and the Prime Minister urging them to create stronger legislation governing the welfare of animals during transport and better enforcement of this legislation.

Learn More

Fast Facts

• An HSUS Report: Welfare Issues with Transport of Day-Old Chicks

Resources

• The HSUS Guide to Vegetarian Eating
• Making the Switch
• Vegetarian Recipes