The recent amendment to the Animal Welfare Act in Prince Edward Island, effective October 19, 2024, introduces revisions to the Animal Welfare Regulations (EC2024-917). These amendments aim to improve animal welfare standards through updated guidelines and definitions that reflect advancements in veterinary practices and ethical treatment of animals. The amendment begins by revoking Clause 1(1)(i) regarding the “Kennel Code,” replacing it with an updated definition that refers to A Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations, Third Edition (2018), published by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. This change intends to signify a commitment to align the regulation with contemporary standards in kennel management, thereby promoting better care practices for dogs in kennel environments.

Furthermore, Clause 4(1)(a) has been revised to replace the previous euthanasia guidelines with the American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition, reflecting an effort to adopt the latest humane practices in euthanasia and ensure procedures adhere to the highest ethical and veterinary standards. Sections 21(9) and 21(10) have been amended to eliminate redundant phrases regarding guidelines for immunization and healthcare, simplifying the language of the regulations and allowing for a clearer focus on essential health care standards for animals.

Additionally, Subsection 32(1) has undergone extensive revisions to incorporate the most recent guidelines and policies from the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC). Key changes include an update to clause (a) that reflects the revised CCAC guidelines for animal research, now indicating revisions made in April 2020, as well as the removal and update of several clauses regarding CCAC guidelines on scientific endpoints, humane intervention points, and wildlife (with updated versions from 2022 and 2023). New clauses have also been introduced that specify guidelines for laboratory animal facilities (2024) and ethical certification of animal care programs (revised in 2022). Furthermore, adjustments have been made to clauses that reference the care and use of farm animals in research, teaching, and testing (2009). These changes underscore a commitment to ensuring that animal research practices are ethically sound and scientifically justified, in line with current best practices.

Schedule B, which outlines various codes of practice, has also been updated. Key amendments include updating references to codes from the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) to reflect their latest revisions and adjusting several items within the schedule to ensure that practices are current and aligned with the latest developments in animal welfare standards, including updates from 2023, 2022, and 2016. These revisions are critical for maintaining the relevance and responsiveness of the regulations to evolving standards in animal care and welfare.

By updating definitions, guidelines, and practices to reflect contemporary standards, the amendments aim to improve the ethical treatment of animals, ensure humane euthanasia practices, and promote scientifically sound research protocols.

Prince Edward Island (EC2024-917) October 19, 2024