Montreal, August 26 2014 – Despite repeated efforts by the Montreal SPCA, Humane Society International / Canada, and the public to convince the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec (MFFP) to use its law enforcement powers to rescue foxes and mink at a fur farm in the Montérégie, the MFFP remains adamant in its decision not to remove the animals. The Montreal SPCA is therefore taking the next step to compel the government to act.

In a demand letter addressed to Minister Laurent Lessard, the Montreal SPCA details the flagrant, serious and ongoing violations of current legislation governing wildlife in captivity – which is exclusively enforced by the MFFP – that the Montreal SPCA has documented over the course of several visits made to the Montérégie fur farm. The letter further sets out the provisions of the legislation which grant the MFFP the power to seize animals in cases of non-compliance. Finally, the letter warns that a failure to act and seize the animals on this fur farm may result in legal proceedings against the ministry being instituted by the Montreal SPCA. “It is unconscionable that the MFFP continues to refuse to use its enforcement powers to remove the animals on this fur farm – clearly, the MFFP is more interested in protecting a fur farmer than the animals whom it is legislatively mandated to protect” said Sophie Gaillard, Lawyer and campaigns manager for the Montreal SPCA’s Animal Advocacy Department. “It is disheartening to realize that we need to go so far as to threaten legal action to get our government to do its job.”

The Montreal SPCA continues to urge the public to write to Minister Lessard in order to request that immediate action be taken to remove the animals on this fur farm. Letters can be sent by visiting http://www.spca-mtlaction.com/index_en.php

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Media contact: Anita Kapuscinska, Media Relations Coordinator, Montreal SPCA, 514-226-3932, or anitak@spca.com.

About the Montreal SPCA
Founded in Montreal in 1869, we were the first humane society in Canada and our mission is to:

• protect animals against negligence, abuse, and exploitation;
• represent their interests and ensure their well-being;
• raise public awareness and help develop compassion for all living beings.

For more information about the Montreal SPCA, please visit our website at www.spca.com.

Photo credit: Jo-Anne McArthur