Animal Justice is celebrating a massive victory for companion animals in Manitoba! The provincial government has officially passed Bill 19—The Animal Care Amendment Act. This crucial legislation marks a major step forward in the fight against puppy mills and irresponsible animal breeders who prioritize profit over animal welfare.
This historic win comes after years of tireless work by Animal Justice, Save a Dog Network Canada, and dedicated Manitoba animal shelter organizations. Together, we have continuously urged the province to licence companion animal breeders and protect animals confined in these facilities.
In May, Animal Justice testified directly before the Manitoba Legislature. We strongly supported Manitoba Bill 19 and advocated for an end to the unregulated breeding that has fueled the province’s devastating dog overpopulation crisis and left companion animals including ferrets, snakes, and rabbits to suffer at the hands of irresponsible breeders.
Ending a Decade of Animal Neglect in Manitoba
For years, local communities and Winnipeg rescue groups have struggled to manage a severe dog overpopulation crisis that causes widespread animal suffering and puts community safety at risk. At the same time, an influx of rabbits, rodents, and exotic animals has overwhelmed many local shelters. Meanwhile, companion animal breeders operated with virtually no regulatory oversight. These individuals turned a profit while straining the limited resources of non-profit rescue groups.
Irresponsible breeders of dogs, cats, ferrets, rats, and snakes cause unimaginable suffering. They frequently confine vulnerable animals to filthy, overcrowded cages without proper veterinary care or socialization.
Before the passage of Manitoba Bill 19, the province had a breeder licensing law on the books. However, the government had completely failed to enforce that law since 2013. In the decade since, commercial breeders operated with virtually no oversight.
Stopping Horrific Cruelty at Local Ferret Mills
The new law officially creates a licensing requirement for the sale and transfer of “pet animals”, the details of which the province will set out through future regulations. Furthermore, the new law gives Manitoba authorities sharper teeth to punish abusers by increasing maximum cruelty fines to $100,000 for repeat offenders.
As provincial officials develop these new regulations, they must include all large breeders of companion animals in the regime—not just dog breeders. Last year, Animal Justice released a heartbreaking undercover exposé into Manitoba’s largest ferret breeding mill. Our investigation exposed a horrific suffering. The facility confined ferrets to barren wire cages inside dim, unsanitary sheds where wild raccoons frequently attacked and killed them. Shockingly, the owner even built a makeshift gas chamber to kill off ferrets no longer used for breeding.
Despite this undeniable cruelty, authorities failed to shut the facility down. Thankfully, rescue groups across Canada and the United States have successfully saved dozens of animals from the mill, which appears to still breed and sell ferrets.
Next Steps: Demanding Strong Regulations for Manitoba Bill 19
This new law is a promising victory, but our work in Manitoba is not finished. The upcoming regulations will ultimately determine how effectively the province protects companion animals. Animal Justice is working to ensure the new licensing scheme is robust and strictly enforced.
We are calling for regulations that include:
- Clear, enforceable provincial standards for animal welfare, housing, and veterinary care.
- Regular, unannounced, and transparent inspections of all breeding facilities.
- Strong legal tools to shut down irresponsible breeders and hold abusers accountable.
- A complete provincial ban on cruel, unnecessary cosmetic mutilations like declawing and tail docking.
- Strict rules for commercial breeders who sell animals across provincial borders.
- Comprehensive, explicit legal protection for all companion animals, including reptiles and ferrets.
When governments allow commercial breeders to operate in the dark, vulnerable animals pay the ultimate price. We are thrilled that Manitoba listened to animal advocates, but we must ensure they follow through with total accountability.
Take Action: Protect Manitoba’s Companion Animals
The passage of Manitoba Bill 19 is a monumental step, but the fight is not over. The government is drafting the regulations right now, and they need to hear from you. Please urge the Manitoba government to ensure the new regulations are robust, strictly enforced, and protect all companion animals
