Zoocheck

06/04/2026

A sad reality. Sanctuary space is limited for many species.

David Ebert

05/20/2026

We had not announced this before today because we wanted to ensure that the transfer would be successful. Back in October of 2025 when we found out that Marineland was seeking to move all of the animals out, Zoocheck approached the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado asking if they could take the bears and they agreed. We put them in touch with Marineland to make the necessary arrangements. We are happy to report that today the bears are on route to Colorado to spend their lives at one of North America's best animal sanctuaries. We want to thank Pat Craig and all of the staff at the sanctuary for their tireless work to help these bears and so many other animals.

Photo credit: Alla Kemelmakher

04/30/2026

Great news from British Columbia. Congratulations to BC SPCA, Vancouver Humane Society and others who campaigned for or supported this.

The provincial government has announced a ban on the breeding, sale, public display, and future private ownership of exotic cat species.

04/06/2026

Help Us Monitor Live Animal Programs (MLAPs) in Public Settings 🚨
Zoocheck is asking for your help.

Live exotic animal activities in Ontario are unregulated and untracked, so they fly under the radar. That’s why there are dozens and dozens of people and businesses shunting animals from one location to another in cars, vans and trucks, across the province. Since they're always moving around, they're difficult to track so that’s why we need your help.

If you see or hear of any advertisements or promotions for live animal activities, that include mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians, anywhere in the province, please let us know. These activities may include:

• Mobile zoos or mobile wildlife exhibits
• Animal stage shows or presentations
• Animal encounters or “meet and greets”
• Reptile presentations or shows
• Animal photo sessions
• Any similar events involving live animals

These events may take place at:

• Children’s events and summer camps
• Schools and libraries
• Retail outlets and shopping malls
• Fairs and festivals
• Nursing homes, seniors’ residences, hospitals
• Corporate events and conferences
• Churches and other similar locations
• Other locations where the public has access

Even though we are focused on Ontario, we’d still like to hear about animal activities in other provinces too.

If you come across advertisements or event notices (online or otherwise), please let us know by sending the:

• Date of the event
• Location
• Name of the person or company presenting
• A photo or copy of the advertisement (if available)

Your information is important and helps support ongoing efforts to monitor and assess the use of Mobile Live Animal Programs in public settings.

Please send to: [email protected]

04/02/2026

Toronto book launch of THE LIFE OF A CREATURE by author, veterinarian and Zoocheck director Nadja Lubiw-Hazard. Saturday May 2, 2026.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/launch-of-nadja-lubiw-hazards-the-life-of-a-creature-with-kendra-coulter-tickets-1985399787209?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl&mc_cid=be4d4d55c4&mc_eid=37e5d74ab0

04/02/2026

Congratulations to our colleagues at World Animal Protection. This is a great precedent that will bolster efforts to help all reptiles in captivity.

After publicly launching our 2021 campaign urging PetSmart to stop the sale of wild animals as pets, and supporters in Canada and the United States speaking out, we have taken a critical step in the campaign and are in conversation with the company.

04/01/2026

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/tigers-hyena-exotic-animals-wainfleet-9.7142098

The owner of three tigers and a hyena that are no longer living on a property in Wainfleet, Ont., is hopeful he'll someday be reunited with his animals, but it won't be in that rural township in Niagara that had ordered them removed for contravening an exotic animals bylaw.

03/31/2026

A sign of the times? Let's hope this trend spreads to China and Japan where cetacean captivity is in it's heyday.

SINGAPORE — The Resorts World Sentosa casino and entertainment complex in Singapore has halted sourcing dolphins from the wild for its aquarium, Mongabay has learned. The resort’s Oceanarium has also suspended its breeding program, according to insiders. The facility is assembling a panel of exp...

03/30/2026

We were so sorry to learn that Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) founder Ingrid Pollak passed away a short while ago. Ingrid was a passionate crusader for animals and a pioneer of the Canadian animal protection movement who helped set the stage for others who now follow in her footsteps. Zoocheck collaborated with the VHS and Ingrid in the 1980s and 1990s and we remember our joint struggles to address so many issues at a time when there was not a great deal of public support. RIP Ingrid Pollak. You will be missed.

We are saddened to share the news of the passing of Ingrid Pollak, founder of the Vancouver Humane Society. Ingrid was a courageous advocate and a powerful voice for animals for decades.

We are honoured to share this tribute to her life and her tireless efforts to protect animals and inspire others to do the same: https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/posts/honouring-ingrid-pollak/