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Shut Down Windrift Adventures Once And For All!We want to bring to your attention as concerned citizens, the current Standard of Care for Outdoor Dogs and the ongoing matter regarding Windrift Adventures. Under the guise of PAWs, the regulations (which include dogs exploited in the dogsledding industry) were modified and came into effect on July 1, 2022. On July 7, 2022, we discovered that at least two dogsledding facilities had not upgraded their operations, pertaining to the length of chain, shelter upgrades and tether-free time (How do the authorities prove they have off-leash time?). The two in question are Abitibi Sled Dogs in Connaught, Ontario and North Ridge Ranch in Huntsville, Ontario. With ongoing complaints reported and investigations being conducted, why after almost a year, are these operations still getting away with no implications for not meeting the new regulation standards? With this in mind, how will these new regulations be enforced? Will there be random inspections? Does every inspection have to be prompted by a report? If so, who are the ones doing the reporting? With only the owners of the operations (and maybe some part-time staff) on the property, outside of the winter season, when these dogs pull the sleds and tourists are on site, who would oversee the protection of these dogs and advocate when they are in violation of the new standards of care? Those of us concerned about these dogs have little faith in the governing bodies. In the past, dogs used in this industry have been failed time and time again. It should not take 5-plus years to remove dogs, especially after several reports have been filed (Windrift Adventures) and dead dogs discovered buried on the grounds (Chocpaw Expeditions). In these cases, nothing was done — justice was never served for these dogs. Animal Welfare Services, the Solicitor General and the Government of Ontario must recognize that enforcement is not enough, especially when it is not being regulated routinely, and furthermore, these operations should not exist in the first place. These dogs, among other nonhuman animals who are used to make businesses money, often suffer in silence, and are kept hidden from us. We, the public, have no real understanding of what is happening at these places, and those who operate them will certainly not communicate with any transparency, the truth of what they do to these dogs. When concerned citizens do make calls to the PAWS hotline, there is no way to be reassured that their concerns are looked into nor do they receive any updates. So much is suppressed from public knowledge concerning the well-being of nonhuman animals in this province. Instead, transparency, advocacy and accountability should be the standard practice. It’s also very important to note that dog behaviourists have spoken out about this industry; the chaining, the lack of socialization, the boredom, the lack of enrichment and stimulation, the lack of veterinary care and the overall health of the dogs coming into question. This is no life for a dog whose needs are not being met, and whose medical and behavioural concerns can never be addressed appropriately. Chaining or warehousing a dog in an enclosure does not in any way provide these individuals with access to natural and instinctive dog behaviours. How can we accept the grave injustice of taking so much away from an individual that is part of who they are as a species, just for the sake of a tourist experience? The desire for someone to be pulled through the snow by a sled, does not, and should not, supersede that of the freedom, the needs and rights of these dogs, to not be exploited. It is time to put these dogs first, and put an end to this industry, once and for all. We want to specifically spotlight Windrift Adventures, which has two locations outside of Barrie, Ontario. This operation not only had over 200 dogs removed in 2021, but they have had years of investigations, and at least one dog was discovered frozen dead, chained to their wooden, substandard shelter (Sled Dogs documentary footage). In addition, there have been reports of sickly dogs, documentation from inspectors, as well as concerned citizens and tourists, who were horrified by what they witnessed at this operation. The PAWS Act has certainly not achieved justice for these dogs, as we have recently learned that Windrift is not only legally allowed to have dogs, but they are allowed to operate as a business, make money, and shockingly, have NOT been charged. This is both appalling and disheartening, and yet, unsurprising. It proves that these regulations are smoke and mirrors, and that no amount of regulations without vigorous oversight, could possibly protect these dogs. They are simply ineffective and therefore, this industry must be dismantled. Petition: Shut Down Windrift Adventures! The following video shows Ratchet, who is one example of the many dogs who were failed by Windrift, and consequently, failed by the governing bodies in this province. Ratchet is the dog in this clip from the documentary Sled Dogs, by Fern Levitt, who was found hours into the morning frozen dead, covered with snow. How long was he there? Were there no rounds of checks first thing in the morning? Were the dogs not fed? This poor boy suffered and yet, his life did not matter because he, along with the others, only exist to make money. While Windrift breeds dogs (spaying or neutering is not practiced) to serve their business needs, these dogs are seen as disposable and replaceable commodities. Animal Services said that Windrift did not comply with orders to lengthen the chains and provide better shelter. (Please note: We want these operations shut down. We do not advocate for better "conditions", and are simply stating what the legal language is). Windrift also refused to comply with the orders and continues to appeal to get the dogs (the ones removed in 2021) returned. Thankfully the inspectors have not relented, despite Windrift's appeals and have recognized these dogs would only return to a situation of distress. Sadly, 11 puppies were not so lucky and were returned to them. This is outrageous that they were not protected from the exploitation and “distress” of this industry, and that in light of the over 200 dogs that were removed from their premises, that the owners are still allowed to have any nonhuman animals at all. As of December 2022, their appeal to get the dogs back was denied, BUT this did not influence whether or not they would have dogs again, which we were hoping would not be the case. News Articles and Blogs Addressing The Dogs Removed: More than 200 sled dogs to remain in Ontario’s care, tribunal finds - Global News Animal welfare inspectors remove 'large number of dogs' from sledding company in Ontario - CBC Dog Sledding Operation Loses Appeal, Court Finds Dogs Were Clearly In Distress - Animal Justice Blog OSPCA investigating alleged cruelty at Barrie-area sled dog kennel | The Star OSPCA investigating animal-cruelty claims at Windrift Kennel dog-sledding operation - The Globe and Mail The cost of caring for these over 200 dogs while with government agencies/animal hospitals/vets, ran upwards of over $1 million, and due to incompetence and errors on the part of animal services, the billing was mistakenly quoted, and Windrift's bill reduced by $500,000. We still are unsure as to what the charges, fines and bill will be as the amount has changed multiple times. Who makes up for the difference if they don’t have to pay it? Taxpayers! Yes, your dollars are going into this because the government failed to do their jobs effectively. Lastly, the owners of Windrift are financially incapable of covering the outstanding invoice. The medical bills for two hundred and thirty-nine dogs are not cheap, and yet, they have never needed to cover these expenses, as vet care is not a priority for these operations. One dog alone incurred over $18,000 at the vet. Many dogs were found to have issues like: diabetes mellitus, severe ocular infection, giardia, AHE (a brain disease affecting Alaskan huskies), blindness, seizures. It goes on. The dogs who were being commodified at Windrift arrived in the hands of the government unwell, all various sizes, shapes and breeds. One reportedly was euthanized. He was known as M-42 and received care for 8 days at OVC before being euthanized, suspected to have liver pathology and hyperadrenocorticism (cushing’s disease), which can rarely be cured. Horrifically, Windrift wants the dogs back and claims they will be better off being used to pull sleds, living this unjust life, rather than thriving in loving homes. They complain about the outstanding balance owed to the government but want over 200 dogs in their “care”? This makes no sense and is gravely concerning. They didn’t care for them before and they will not in the future. They have said on many occasions that this is about their livelihood, that the dogs are commodities to them, and the dogs make money for them. No one who views nonhuman animals as a means to an end should ever have a nonhuman animal, period. Somehow, Windrift now has some dogs, although we are not certain from where, because the dogs who were removed have allegedly not been returned. Last winter, we have documentation that at least between 10-15 dogs were chained outside on the property in Oro-Medonte. Again, we have no idea where the dogs came from, but they were operating tours back then too, despite the ongoing court case and investigation. We are calling upon the powers that be to do better. After so many years of failing these dogs, it is unconscionable that this business has been permitted to have dogs again, allowing them to operate and profit off of these dogs. This is a huge misstep of justice and a huge failing on the part of the government and animal services to have allowed this to happen. What kind of precedent does it set for others? Apparently, it is acceptable to allow dogs to languish for years on end, and there are no consequences for the individuals who have deliberately neglected the dogs day after day, year after year. We are also calling on the powers that be to hold Windrift accountable and lay charges. To our knowledge, none have been laid at this time and yet again, another slap on the wrist to those who have been reckless and neglectful to the dogs they claim to care about. Finally, what does the outcome of this case tell us about the state of animal protection in this province? Plainly, it fails animals miserably. It allows the perpetrator to continue to use and harm sentient beings after a long history of unethical practices. It perpetuates the idea that the lives of these dogs, both past and present, both dead and alive, truly do not matter. We had our doubts about the improved standards of care for outdoor dogs because it is all about welfare and 'bettering' the conditions of a life of an exploited being. This has highlighted how inadequate and unjust laws are, to protect and serve some of the most vulnerable in our society. Windrift Adventures should have been shut down a long time ago, and they should not have been given countless opportunities to continue to harm dogs. This is unacceptable and a poor reflection on the governing bodies. Systems need to be in place to take dogs out of these operations and find them safe and loving homes. Furthermore, spaces need to be made available and resources need to be invested in, so that these dogs are no longer forced to languish in an exploitative and violent industry. We have seen time and time again that these operations have a bottom line - making money at any cost and more often than not, it’s at the cost of the freedom and well being of a dog who was unfortunately and tragically brought into this oppressive industry by no choice of their own. It is time to do what is right, what is fair and what is just for the sake of the dogs, and finally set a precedent of what animal protection should look like. A zero tolerance policy must be implemented, so these operations, where dogs are neglected and exploited, are finally dismantled, finding loving homes for the dogs, and holding the offenders accountable. And the owners of these operations, must be locked out of this industry, forever. The time is long overdue to SHUT DOWN Windrift Adventures, once and for all! To help with this pressure campaign: Just PRESS the SEND THIS EMAIL button now. Thank you for your participation! Together, we can end this industry and end speciesism! #dogsledding #tourism #explorecanada #lookbeyondthebrochure #dogs #sleddogs #endthedogsleddingindustry #dontgodogsledding #endspeciesism #animalrights #mushing #thereallifeofsleddogs #winter #doglovers #personsnotproperty #dogadventures#ontariotravel #destinationontario #barrie #oromedonte #moonstone #ontario #windriftadventures #windriftkennels #ospca #governmentofontario #paws #animalservices #animalprotection #solicitorgeneral #socialjustice Please follow us to stay informed: Facebook: End The Dog Sledding Industry Instagram: @endthedogsleddingindustry Twitter: @ ETDSI