According to a new index measuring countries' commitment to protect animals and improve their welfare, Canada is decidedly mediocre.
World Animal Protection just released an Animal Protection Index to rank countries on their legislation's ability to protect animals and their commitment to improving welfare. The index grades each country from A to G in five main categories: recognition, governance, standards, education, and awareness. Canada received a D grade overall, with three Bs, one C, nine Ds, one E and one F in the smaller categories.
Canada seems best at supporting the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare, making animal cruelty a criminal offence, and protecting companion animals. However, it received an E for educating citizens about animal care and protetion and an F for failing to report on progress towards a higher standard for animal welfare.
Map of the world's Animal Protection Index grades. (Photo Credit: World Animal Protection)
“The Animal Protection Index is a breakthrough project, uniquely bringing together global animal welfare policy and legislation,” says World Animal Protection CEO Mike Baker. “The results of the index speak for themselves—governments must take action to protect animals and to recognise that the welfare of animals is inextricably linked to people’s health.”
The countries with the highest scores were the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Austria.
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