Animal Alliance of Canada

Animal Alliance of Canada Animal Alliance of Canada, founded in 1990, is a non-profit organization committed to the protection of all animals.

We use electoral politics and lobbying as tactics to encourage legislators to pass sound animal and environmental protection laws. Animal Alliance of Canada is a non-profit organization committed to the protection of all animals and to the promotion of a harmonious relationship among humans, non-humans and the environment. As a non-profit, we use electoral politics and lobbying as strategies to make the legislators pass sound animal and environmental protection laws. Animal Alliance of Canada was founded in October 1990. We have supporters across Canada and are funded entirely by private donations.

10/01/2026

The story of Royal is a disturbing example of what could happen to lost companion animals in Ontario.

Royal was a much-loved, elderly dog who lived his entire life with his human family. One day, while Royal’s guardian was away, Royal wandered off his property. A kind person found him and took him to the local pound, believing this friendly dog would be safely reunited with his family. Instead, the pound sold Royal to a research facility in Guelph, Ontario. Royal was later euthanized and never got the chance to see his family again.

Royal’s story is a devastating example of what could happen in Ontario’s pound-to-research pipeline. The practice, known in legislation as pound seizure, allows unclaimed dogs and cats in municipal pounds to be transferred or sold to registered research facilities under the Animals for Research Act.

This is the kind of tragic, preventable loss that Animal Alliance of Canada has been working to end for decades. You can read Royal’s story on our website and take action today: https://www.animalalliance.ca/campaigns/pets-research/acquired/

The York 9 have names: Hannah, Liesl, Mini-Sass, Olivia, Virginia, Do, Kenny, Bento and Magneto.They are nine individual...
09/29/2026

The York 9 have names: Hannah, Liesl, Mini-Sass, Olivia, Virginia, Do, Kenny, Bento and Magneto.

They are nine individuals who have spent years inside a York University research facility. Some have been there for as long as 17 years.

During that time, they have been subjected to repeated, invasive procedures including craniotomies, brain implants and outdated eye-coil technologies.

The York 9 deserve to be known as more than research subjects. They are individuals whose lives have been shaped by years of confinement and experimentation. They deserve the chance to live the rest of their lives outside of a laboratory and free from distress.

The Jane Goodall Institute has now publicly called on York University to retire Hannah, Liesl, Mini-Sass, Olivia, Virginia, Do, Kenny, Bento and Magneto to a species-appropriate sanctuary. Animal Alliance of Canada fully supports that call — and we’re continuing to push for the provincial protections needed to ensure these nine monkeys, and other primates in Ontario, are protected from invasive research.

Take action today and make your voice heard:
https://www.animalalliance.ca/campaigns/end-primate-research-in-ontario/

09/24/2026

Recently, Animal Alliance of Canada co-founder Liz White met 8-year-old Lizzie the Beagle and her guardian at a local dog park.

Lizzie was adopted through The Beagle Alliance after spending years in research. Lizzie was debarked and it is believed that she may have been used for breeding. She still carries the tattoos that once identified her by number, including one in her ear and another on her belly. Those areas were once kept shaved so the numbers remained visible. Today, her fur has grown back over them.

While she’s still getting used to the everyday sounds and experiences that come with life outside a research facility, she is adjusting incredibly well. She now shares her home with another beagle who has been helping teach her how to be a dog — how to explore, play, feel safe, and enjoy the world around her.

Her guardian is committed to sharing Lizzie’s story, and Lizzie is becoming a familiar face at events where she helps people understand the individual lives behind animal research.

Lizzie is now known by more than just a number. Every animal still trapped inside a research facility deserves to be known as more than one, too.

Visit our website to learn more about our work to protect dogs and cats from harmful research and take action today: https://www.animalalliance.ca/campaigns/no-pets-in-research/

We were honoured to be invited to speak at Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary’s fundraiser this past weekend.Our Advocacy...
09/22/2026

We were honoured to be invited to speak at Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary’s fundraiser this past weekend.

Our Advocacy Manager, Kira, spoke with attendees about the , our campaign to have non-human primates included under Ontario’s Animals for Research Act, and why legal advocacy and sanctuary care are two halves of the same rescue effort. Strengthening the law can only help animals currently trapped in the system if there is also somewhere safe for them to go.

Thank you to everyone who came out and gave so generously. Nearly $2,000 was raised toward Story Book Farm’s new building expansion, bringing the sanctuary one step closer to providing more rescued monkeys with the safe, enriching lives they deserve.

Story Book Farm is still accepting donations toward the new building campaign. If you’re able to contribute, you can donate here:

https://www.storybookmonkeys.org/new_building_campaign.htm

One month after telling us a meeting “would not be productive,” York University wrote to us again — this time to correct...
09/21/2026

One month after telling us a meeting “would not be productive,” York University wrote to us again — this time to correct its own account of the CCAC’s findings.

The letter, signed by Dr. Amir Asif, Vice-President of Research & Innovation at York University, stated:

“I would like to clarify a point in the previous letter. In referring to the findings of the CCAC special assessment visit, the word ‘significant’ was inadvertently omitted from the sentence describing the CCAC’s finding. The CCAC stated that it ‘did not find significant deviations from CCAC policies and guidelines in the ethical use of animals in science.’ The CCAC report identified opportunities for improvement to the overall program and made recommendations to the University.”

This new letter confirms that the CCAC review identified aspects of York’s animal care and use program that warranted recommendations for improvement. Yet York has still not disclosed what those recommendations were and continues to ignore our requests to retire and rehome the monkeys.

Read the full letter in our recent blog post and take action: https://www.animalalliance.ca/york-admits-to-deviations-from-ccacs-policies-but-still-hasnt-released-the-report/


📷 image digitally rendered.

Yesterday, the Jane Goodall Institute (Global and Canada) issued a powerful public statement calling on York University ...
09/03/2026

Yesterday, the Jane Goodall Institute (Global and Canada) issued a powerful public statement calling on York University to immediately retire the nine rhesus macaques used in invasive eye-tracking experiments and release them to a species-appropriate sanctuary. The Institute emphasized that modern, non‑animal research methods make this type of primate experimentation unnecessary and that continuing to use these monkeys is ethically indefensible.

These nine individuals — Hannah, Liesl, Mini‑Sass, Olivia, Virginia, Do, Kenny, Bento, and Magneto — were documented in Last Chance for Animals’ investigation earlier this year and are currently still being held at the university.

Dr. Goodall spent her life showing the world that primates are intelligent, emotional beings who deserve respect and protection. In her honour, JGI Global and JGI Canada are urging York University to make the just and compassionate choice — and they stand ready to work collaboratively to secure the monkeys’ release.

Animal Alliance of Canada wholeheartedly supports the Jane Goodall Institute’s call. The York University 9 deserve exactly what the Institute is urging: release to a sanctuary where they will never again be used for research or breeding.

Read our full update, the statement, and take action: https://www.animalalliance.ca/animal-alliance-stands-with-the-jane-goodall-institute-york-university-must-free-its-monkeys/

Today marks the 12th annual World Day for the End of Speciesism. Speciesism is the systemic oppression of nonhuman anima...
08/29/2026

Today marks the 12th annual World Day for the End of Speciesism. Speciesism is the systemic oppression of nonhuman animals by humans, and it is deeply ingrained in our society in countless ways.

For example, people are outraged about cats, dogs, and primates being used in research and testing, although often to varying degrees. At the very core of all of this lies the broader issue of speciesism: the belief that nonhuman animals, regardless of species, exist to serve a purpose or function for humans.

You can read more and take action in our latest blog post: https://www.animalalliance.ca/world-day-for-the-end-of-speciesism/

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of longtime animal advocate and friend of Animal Alliance, Martin Fie...
08/27/2026

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of longtime animal advocate and friend of Animal Alliance, Martin Field.

Martin dedicated much of his life to protecting animals, from his early days of activism in England to decades of advocacy here in Canada. His determination, warmth, humour, and unwavering commitment to creating a kinder world left a lasting impression on those who knew him and on the communities he worked so hard to change.

Animal Alliance’s Co-Founder, Liz White, knew Martin for many years and worked alongside him through numerous campaigns and advocacy efforts. She shares these words in memory of her friend and fellow advocate:

"Martin Field gave much of his life working to protect animals. I first met Martin many, many years ago, so long ago I can’t remember exactly when or how we became connected. Part of why I cannot recall my first meeting with Martin is because meeting him feels like meeting an old friend — it feels like you’ve known him forever. There was just something about him that made you feel instantly comfortable and at ease.

I can’t help but smile when I think of the twinkle in Martin’s eye as he told me of his early activist days in England, working with the hunt saboteurs, to thwart those who aimed to chase and kill foxes. It was dangerous work, confronting angry, armed hunters who sat atop tall horses who loomed over you. But he told his stories with a smile and a chuckle. He was really quite a character.

Here in Canada in his later years, Martin approached many municipalities around the GTA and beyond, convincing them to support Trap, Neuter, Return for feral cat colonies. His contribution was remarkable. As those of us can attest, grinding through one municipal government after the other takes an enormous amount of energy and determination but his results were nothing short of amazing. He provided each Council with the tools needed to manage and care for feral cats in their communities.

Martin was also interested in broader changes. He attended some of the court cases where we intervened, namely around the Ontario Ag-Gag legislation. He was also interested in our support of Springtide and Fair Voting BC's attempt at improving our electoral voting system. He understood that protecting animals in Canada required changes in our electoral process so that we could elect representatives who saw animals and the environment, not to be exploited, but as something special and in need of protection.

The last time we talked he was enthusiastic, upbeat and listing his plans for future lobbying opportunities. He lived his passion to the end. I hope I can apply the same energy and determination as he did. It is a demanding road to follow but follow it we must.

Thank you, Martin.

Your friend,

Liz"

Federal and Ontario by-elections are around the corner - do you live in one of these ridings? 🗳️These by-elections are a...
08/20/2026

Federal and Ontario by-elections are around the corner - do you live in one of these ridings? 🗳️

These by-elections are an important opportunity to put animal protection matters on the political agenda.

With nine primates still being used in invasive neurological research at York University — and the university unwilling to engage with us directly — we need provincial leaders to hear that Ontarians expect greater scrutiny, transparency, and action.

Ontario By-Election Ridings:

- Scarborough Southwest
- York–Simcoe
- Hamilton East–Stoney Creek

At the federal level, we need to take the opportunity to ask candidates to take a stand against the use of live piglets in military trauma training. With validated non-animal alternatives already used by allied militaries, it’s time for Canada to modernize its training and end this practice.

Federal By-Election Ridings:

- Beaches–East York (ON)
- Chicoutimi–Le Fjord (QC)
- North Vancouver–Capilano (BC)

Ready to take action? Sign up for the Animal Alliance Advocacy Network (A³ Network) so we can connect with you directly. We'll be in touch with targeted action items — local events where candidates will be present, how and where to reach candidates directly, and talking points and language you can use when you connect with them.

Click here to sign up today: https://mailchi.mp/animalalliance/action-volunteer-sign-up

📸 Photo credit: Jo Anne McArthur / We Animals

08/17/2026

The Ontario government recently passed legislation prohibiting invasive medical research on dogs and cats. We urge them to expand this prohibition and extend equivalent protections to non-human primates.

Take action today by sending an email to the ministries responsible. A copy of this email will be sent to your MPP: https://www.animalalliance.ca/campaigns/end-primate-research-in-ontario/

video credit: Last Chance for Animals (LCA)

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