Thousands of farm animals are transported across Canada every week. But the conditions they experience are regulated by rules that are decades old, and inhumane.

Canada’s regulations governing the transportation of farmed animals date back to 1975. They currently allow for animals to be in transit for 52 hours without access to food or water, while the maximum for pigs and chickens is 36 hours. These regulations fall well below the standards of other countries, and are the worst in the Western world.

Animals are often transported thousands of kilometres without any food, water, shelter or any protection from the elements and these conditions appear to be taking their toll. 1.59million animals die during transport every year.

Think of the -37° (colder than planet MARS) weather we had last week. There is no minimum temperature in Canada below which it is illegal to transport animals.

As Canadians are left to wait until legislators care about freezing farmed animals, we are not powerless. Consumers can make a difference by opting out of supporting the industries that cause this suffering and help lessen the demand for more of it in the future. Thankfully, as market research shows, the incredible increase in plant based meat and dairy alternatives now available in Canada has made it easier than ever to avoid cruel animal products.

The next time we endure the Canadian cold – shivering our way from a heated car to a heated grocery store – we should give a thought for the tens of thousands of animals enduring that very same cold, but without anywhere warm to run.

Even though the laws are outdated, if you witness a violation, report it to Canadian Food Inspection Agency and The Ministry of The Solicitor General.