We have a new easy email action for Albertans that just takes 30 seconds to do: a mail-in form that asks your MLA to support Guzoo's closure and to work for improved Zoo Standards, and increase transparency around the province's zoos.
The letter is lengthy but well-worded, and informs your MLA of a number of important resources to understand what is happening with Guzoo and why it's important to raise Alberta Zoo Standards.
Just visit the action page, find your MLA in the drop-down, fill in your name/email/city, and click email your MLA.
What this action asks them to do:
-
to support keeping Guzoo Animal Farm closed,
-
to strengthen Alberta Zoo Standards and enforcement,
-
to move Alberta law beyond treating animals as property,
-
to increase transparency of all operations at the provinces' licensed zoos,
-
to be attentive to animal welfare concerns in their remaining time in office.
Why are these demands necessary?
You certainly know by now that Guzoo has not only applied for a judicial review that has temporarily halted its decommission, but the Guzoo has been allowed to completely re-open for business, in spite of the animal welfare and public health concerns cited in the CAZA-led report that led to Guzoo's closure.
How could this happen?
Ultimately, it's because animal protection in Canada ultimately recognizes animals only as property. Even though animals are sentient creatures and many of Guzoo's animals languish in Guzoo's substandard enclosures, legally, the Guzoo is treated no differently than if it were a used car lot or a dollar store.
But it is also clear that animal protection and Zoo Standards enforcement are seriously lacking in Alberta if Guzoo Animal Farm can skirt and subvert the rules this way.
Zoos in Alberta are also not obliged to be transparent in any way to the public, and we in CAAWPS have had to pressure the government for release of the CAZA-led investigation of Guzoo, and leaked a second half of the report ourselves.
Lack of enforcement, lack of transparency, and animal welfare law that is stuck in the 19th century — all of these create an absurd situation which do not prioritize or adequately protect animal welfare in our province's zoos.
When you're finished, please share the action on your Facebook page — it's important to keep the mail-in form rolling, so our MLAs can hear from a tidal wave of concerned, compassionate Albertans like yourself.
Do the action!
