The BC SPCA has designated October to raising awareness about farm animals – beginning with World Farm Animals Day on October 2, celebrated on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday and observed in dozens of countries all over the world.

“In the spirit of this event, we’re challenging consumers to take a really good look at how farm animals are cared for to produce the products they buy,” says Alyssa Bell Stoneman, SPCA Certified program supervisor. “Were the farm animals provided with a high level of welfare to meet their needs?”

There are many ways you can make a difference for farm animals:

• Pledge to make a conscientious effort to buy animal welfare certified food products, like SPCA Certified. Not only are you taking the animals’ well-being into consideration, you are supporting local farmers who put animal welfare at the top of their list. A product with an SPCA Certified label comes from a farm that follows BC SPCA standards of farm animal welfare, as assessed by a trained, independent third-party inspector;

• Download our Egg-Laying Hen Fact Sheet to learn more about how hens are raised in Canada and how to buy cage-free eggs, like SPCA Certified. Other types of cage-free eggs include free run, free range and certified organic;

• Download a Customer Request Card to give to the manager of your local grocery store asking them to carry SPCA Certified products. Retail outlets listen to their customers’ wants and needs;

• Add your voice to a BC SCPA farm animal welfare campaign and help us speak for the animals;

• Subscribe to FarmSense, the BC SPCA’s bi-monthly email newsletter about farm animal welfare news, events and research. Stay up-to-date on farm animal issues and initiatives in Canada, research results and practical experience shared by farmers;

• Make holiday meals using SPCA Certified meats, cheeses and eggs. Check out our SPCA Certified recipes for inspiration.

• Support farm animal welfare initiatives.  The BC SPCA is the only SPCA in Canada with a department specializing in farm animal welfare and is a national leader in programs that promote better lives for millions of farm animals. Your support gift can help us save lives. Donate today!

• Multiply your impact! Let your family and friends know it's Farm Animal Welfare Month. 

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For its part, the BC SPCA continues to work towards improvements in farm animal welfare, provincially and nationally.

The BC SPCA is the only Canadian animal welfare organization with dedicated resources to improve the welfare of farm animals through education and advocacy. It is also the only animal welfare organization with the infrastructure to certify farms, and the SPCA Certified logo meets the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s federal labelling requirements.

In addition to certifying farms that meet high animal welfare standards, the BC SPCA advocates for changes to policies and laws affecting farm animals across the country – from Codes of Practice to transportation regulations.

The Monty Fund for Community Education & Outreach supports the SPCA Certified program dedicated to improving farm animal welfare standards in Canada. Your gift can help millions of animals live a healthier, happier life. Please donate today.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.