2015 CFHS National Animal Welfare Conference
Cats Count in Canada - a national update
Barbara Cartwright, Chief Executive Officer, CFHS
The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies launched a national initiative to address the
negative outcomes of cat overpopulation including overburdened shelters, high euthanasia rates
and homeless cats. After mounting the largest national study of cats in Canada in 2012, the
CFHS worked with stakeholders across the country to identify both local and national strategic
initiatives. This presentation will review the results of our provincial stakeholder meetings and
look at the current outcomes of the CFHS national strategy including eliminating barriers to
spay/neuter, restructuring shelter systems to increase adoption and reduce euthanasia and
increase the value of cats.
Key Learnings:
1. Define the National Strategy
2. Objectives and current results of Capacity for Care and the Spay/Neuter Report
3. Year one results of increasing the value of cats through public relations properties such at
Just for Cats and Cats and Bros.
Speaker Biography:
An award winning leader in animal welfare, conservation and education, Barbara’s work has
spanned five continents and 20 years. Her extensive experience in developing and facilitating
relationships with stakeholders including governments, corporations and NGOs led to innovative
programs with Quebec First Nations on companion animal issues, with the Assembly of First
Nations building resources for youth on reserves, with the BC government studying grizzly bear
rehabilitation, with east coast fishermen protecting endangered right whales and with African
communities conserving chimpanzees. Her knowledge of policy and public affairs allowed her to
lobby for amendments to federal legislation including updates to the Criminal Code, the
Migratory Bird Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. In 2008, working closely
with on-line giant eBay, she led a successful effort to end the illegal ivory trade on its site
worldwide.
Barbara has presented to the Justice Committee of the House of Commons, the all party
International Conservation Caucus, the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Specifies (CITES) as well as at the IUCN World Congress. Barbara holds a Master’s in
Environmental Education and Communication, is a published author, lecturer and received the
Governor General’s Gold Medal, as well as the National Environmental Excellence Award. She
is the former President and current Committee Chair for the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada and
sits on the Advisory Council for the Pan-African Sanctuary Alliance.
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