Mission:
To advocate for and advise on a new animal welfare system for the province of Ontario that is effective and accountable.
Organization:
AWW will be a coalition of animal welfare advocacy groups and interested individuals.
A Coordinating Council will hear input from and provide information to members. Other activities will include producing position papers, dealing with media and member enquiries, and advising other stakeholders, the provincial government and municipalities on animal welfare issues.
Membership:
AWW membership will include anyone who cares about animal welfare in Ontario and supports the AWW mission and guiding principles.
Immediate objectives
To convince the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) to:
1. use the provisions of the current Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA) between MCSCS and the OSPCA to conduct a review of that organization’s use of public funds; and its compliance with the terms and requirements of the MCSCS-OSPCA funding agreement.
and
2. use the Ministry’s existing authority in the OSPCA Act to annul the current operating bylaw of the OSPCA, replacing it with a bylaw that restores an acceptable level of transparency and accountability, while prioritizing animal welfare.
Short-term objectives
To advise the provincial and municipal governments on how to improve animal welfare as soon as possible while the province moves to a new system of public sector service delivery.
To help prioritize a transition to the new system that minimizes the negative impact on animals.
Long-term objectives
The implementation of new provincial animal welfare legislation and service delivery system consistent with the AWW mission and guiding principles.
Guiding principles:
All animals throughout the province deserve to be adequately protected, cared for and humanely treated. The people of Ontario care about the animals who live among us.
The overall welfare of animals is important; that is: their protection from cruelty, distress and neglect; their health, well-being and quality of life; and their appropriate management to ensure their positive coexistence with people, other animals and the environment.
The enforcement of animal welfare legislation should be: effective, equitable, practical, and accountable to the public; and there should be clarity as to the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the system.
Any changes to the animal welfare system should be built – where possible – on existing roles, processes and infrastructure.
The new system should be adequately supported by appropriate and sustainable funding sources.
No current legal activity should be made illegal. However, all animals must be humanely treated.
Animals that are inherently dangerous (to people, other animals or the environment) or vulnerable (because their good welfare cannot be assured) should not be kept by individuals and otherwise kept only with rigorous restrictions.