#52: How Will COVID-19 Affect Animals?

April 3, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic originated from human use of wild animals, and it will have an immediate and lasting impact on many more species of animals. Hosts Peter & Camille go over some of the recent animal law developments in Canada and abroad, including a cow slaughter plant shut-down after a worker tested positive for the virus, a Macleans story on the live horse meat export industry, and a new BC animal cruelty case.

Next, the hosts go discuss some of the short-term impacts, including:

• Weaker demand expected for meat products once panic-buying subsides;
• Laboratory animals being killed as research winds down, plus animals being used and abused in the quest for a coronavirus vaccine;
• Luxury fur markets feeling economic pain, including a “humiliating” online fur auction in Europe;
• An increase in adoption and fostering of companion animals, lack of spay and neuter services, and predicted mass casualties resulting in companion animals needing new homes;
• Veterinary services being declared essential in all provinces;
• Ag gag laws in Ontario and elsewhere being put on hold as governments work to respond to the pandemic.

This episode’s zero is the trophy hunter who gunned down Takaya, a grey wolf on Vancouver Island. And the heroes are all the compassionate people who are bringing new companion animals into their homes!

Thank you to our new sponsors the Vancouver Vegetarian Society and Tempea, and to our long-time sponsors The Grinning Goat. As always, use code PAW15 at the checkout to save 15% on your order at grinninggoat.ca, Canada’s vegan fashion boutique.

Paw & Order: Canada’s animal law podcast by Animal Justice is on Patreon! Help us keep bringing you new episodes by visiting our Patreon page to becoming a supporter.

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Animal Justice

Peter Sankoff

Camille Labchuk

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Animal Justice

Peter Sankoff

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Animal Justice

Camille Labchuk

Special thanks:

To our producer, Shannon Milling, and podcast editor Micahl Contos.

To Kevin Lacroix for the podcast logo and for the musical sting in our podcast intro.

To DJ Quads for our intro, transition and outro music.

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Paw & Order is Canada’s only animal law podcast, and is hosted by two of Canada’s leading animal lawyers, Camille Labchuk and Peter Sankoff.

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