Four trailblazers living in British Columbia honored for their extraordinary contributions to animal welfare and their unwavering dedication to protecting all living beings.
David Suzuki, a renowned environmentalist and geneticist, has emphasized that humans are deeply interconnected with all species through the intricate web of life. He highlights that every species, including humans, plays a vital role in maintaining the balance and health of ecosystems. Species at risk are the plants and animals that may disappear unless human beings step in to help. According to the David Suzuki Foundation more than 50 per cent of Canadian wildlife species are currently declining. They need protected habitat to survive, and we’re not giving it to them.
The David Suzuki Foundation works to engage governments on species at risk, encourage them to take greater action and mobilize public support for habitat protection before species at risk are gone forever. As a spokesperson for many decades for protecting animals, the environment and thereby all species, David Suzuki lives in British Columbia where he was also born and is an outstanding advocate for us all.
Felicia Allen is a passionate animal welfare advocate in British Columbia, known for her tireless efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating abused and neglected animals. Her work often involves grassroots campaigns to improve animal protection laws and educate the public about responsible pet guardianship and wildlife conservation. Felicia has been an animal rescuer, advocate, activist and educator for over fifty years in British Columbia. She stopped eating animals at the age of twelve because "We had a rescue, Epona Stable and Farms in North Vancouver (est 1975), where all animals were welcome. I decided that if I stopped eating animals I would also not be paying anyone who kills them." As an early member of Paul Watson's Sea Shepherd's society while still a teen, Felicia remembers fundraising by talking to people about the importance of protecting our whales. At the same time, she started a campaign in the Province to ban the cruel leg hold trapping of wolves and ultimately succeeded. Then she exposed Bear Bile Farming to Canada in 2005 which was followed by a historic interview with Jill Robinson, the founder of Animals Asia operating out of China.
Locally, Felicia is the founder of the Standardbred Horse Fan Club (est. 2004) which for many decades has saved harness race horses from slaughter, provided veterinary care and rehoming for the horses, the founder of non-riding therapy, Equine Assisted Natural Healing with horses which is now widely regarded as a recognized branch of 'Animal Therapy' and many other rescue programs and the author of a guide on Puppy training.
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Although Felicia is not a lawyer, she has spent approximately a third of her life in the BC Supreme court fighting for people with pets in the province. When Felicia was recently interviewed she spoke about the actions on British Columbia's longstanding and reputable rescues and sanctuaries, "The BC SPCA animal enforcement routinely raid established and reputable rescues and sanctuaries in the province putting them out of commission or severely hindering their rescue operations. With that, comes the very negative public stigma which may be undeserved and unfair."
Most recently, Felicia has filed a BC Supreme court claim with the Attorney General and Deputy Premier Niki Sharma named the defendant in the matter of the alleged breach of section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. She is challenging the laws that enable animal enforcers, such as the BC SPCA, to interfere with and seize an animal in the care and treatment of a veterinarian from the animal's family or loved one. "There are no longer any boundaries for BC SPCA animal enforcement, it almost seems to me that the Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals act has taken over the veterinary profession."
Felicia is the founder of the Society For British Columbia Public Guardians And Animals (BC SPGA) an incorporated, member and volunteer based non-profit incorporated society (est. 2023) as the Voice for animal and pet guardians. "Imagine, British Columbia needs a society to protect and ensure rights for people with pets. That's what happens when you let animal cops and their managers operate without independent oversight."
Felicia can often be seen in her capacity as an animal rights activist protesting against experimenting on animals or trying to show people that eating animals is cruel and unnecessary with plant-based foods and lifestyle changes.
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Jennifer Azizi is an advocate living in British Columbia for legislative reform to protect animals in Canada. Jennifer and her husband saw firsthand how easily innocent animals are destroyed by the BC SPCA when a puppy they wanted to adopt playfully nipped and was put to his death five days later by the society. “This dog was just 10 months old, I just find that unacceptable that a puppy would be put down,” Jennifer said. Jennifer has worked on reforming dog laws with a petition to Stop arbitrary seizures, euthanasia and provide access to justice. Jennifer Azizi is determined that dogs deserve better protection under the law. "B.C.'s animal protection system isn't working Something has to change."
Join Jennifer and her campaigns to make better lives for animals in the province on Linktree. Jennifer is currently working on trying to get oversight over the BC SPCA through legislature avenues. "The petition has the best chance right now," Jennifer said.
Bryan Adams is a passionate animal rights advocate known for his long-term commitment to veganism, and collaborator with organizations like PETA, and efforts against cruelty like the fur trade and shark finning, promoting plant-based living for compassion and environmental reasons. Bryan has spoken out against industries like fur and whaling, and campaigning for animal welfare causes, notably against the Canadian Armed Forces' use of bearskin caps and for banning live horse export.
A Singer-songwriter of iconic rock anthems like "Summer of '69," "Run to You," and "Cuts Like a Knife," alongside massive power ballads such as "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You," "Heaven," and "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?," plus collaborations like "All for Love" (with Sting & Rod Stewart) and "When You're Gone" (with Melanie C), Bryan is also a speaker for animals and their rights. Bryan has made Vancouver his home base.