World Animal Protection staff at a parliamentary reception

Media centre

Meet our experts

Our Canada office has a team of experienced individuals with knowledge on a wide range of subjects.

To find out more or schedule an interview, please contact our media team.

Melissa Matlow

Melissa Matlow

Campaign Director (she/her)

Melissa Matlow has a BSc in Ecology and a Masters in Environmental Studies and has been a regular media commentator on animal welfare and environmental issues for more than 20 years, starting out as a regular guest on CP24’s former shows: Animal House Calls with Ann Rohmer and Hunter’s Gatherings with Bob Hunter. She has visited zoos, dolphinaria, farms and slaughterhouses to assess and document animal welfare concerns and has expertise, conducted research and developed policy recommendations on zoo standards, the commercial wildlife trade, responsible tourism, farmed animal welfare standards, farmed animal transport regulations, humane and sustainable food policy and how Canada’s animal protection laws compare to other juisdictions. Melissa was honoured to be featured alongside Dr. Jane Goodall and other experts in responsible tourism, in the award-winning documentary The Last Tourist, She's been a guest on TVO's The Agenda discussing the need to regulate zoos and has been interviewed by all major Canadian media outlets on a variety of animal welfare issues.

Michèle Hamers

Michèle Hamers

Wildlife Campaign Manager (she/her)

Michèle has a BSc in Animal Husbandry from HAS University of Applied Science in the Netherlands and an MSc in Animal Biology and Welfare from the University of Essex, UK. She is specialized in captive wildlife welfare and behaviour and the trade in these animals, specifically related to wild animals kept in zoological facilities and as pets. Professional recognitions include the designation of European Professional Biologist (EurProBiol), being a Registered Scientist (RSci) with the Royal Society of Biology and a Master Herpetologist.

Michèle has written and contributed to numerous reports and papers on Canada’s role in the commercial captive wildlife trade. Including on regulatory solutions for the trade, use and keeping of wild animals as pets (“exotic pets”) and on risks related to the import of wild animals into Canada. She has also made frequent media appearances to talk about the problems with Canada’s roadside zoos.

Lynn Kavanagh

Lynn Kavanagh

Farming Campaign Manager (she/her)

Lynn holds a B.A. in Philosophy and an MSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Guelph. She oversees World Animal Protection’s farming and food systems campaign, working to change government and corporate policies to improve animal welfare, and raise public awareness about the plight of farm animals in Canada. In her work advocating for a more humane and sustainable food system, Lynn promotes and advocates for increased plant-based production and consumption for animals, human health and the environment.

Lynn has written and contributed to numerous reports and articles on farm animal welfare and related issues, including highlighting the lack of regulatory and legal protections for farm animals in Canada, the poor treatment of end-of-life dairy cows, and the welfare of farmed fish. She has also conducted several media interviews on various farm animal welfare issues.

We’re always happy to respond to media inquiries and can arrange comment and interviews with our campaign and policy experts.

Contact our media team for any inquiries:

Beth Sharpe, Communications Director
1 416 369 0044 x111
Toll-free: 1 800 363 9772 x111
BethSharpe@worldanimalprotection.ca

In the news

  • September 2022 | Breakfast television: How lowering your meat consumption can help the future of our climate
  • August 2022 | National Observer: Eating less meat could help Canada achieve its climate goals
  • June 2022 | CBC: Charity urges tourists to stay away from Ontario's roadside zoos this summer
  • December 2021 | Toronto Star: We need to make the connection between climate change and industrial animal agriculture
  • September 2021 | Toronto Sun: World Animal Protection says animal welfare is an election issue
  • August 2021 | blogTO: These fast food restaurants in Toronto have the worst chicken welfare rankings
  • July 2021 | CBC: African Lion Safari ended elephant rides after 2019 attack. So why are they still allowed in Canada?
  • May 2021 | The Hamilton Spectator: COVID-19 taught us we need to fix our broken food system
  • April 2021 | National Observer: The wildlife trade and the next global pandemic
  • June 2020 | Toronto Star: Ontario law to protect food producers could punish whistleblowers, animal rights groups warn
  • February 2020 | CBC The Current: Experts call for global ban on live animal markets, wildlife trade amidst coronavirus outbreak
  • March 2020 | Radio Canada International: Report: Canada receives failing grade for animal welfare laws
  • October 2019 | Bloomberg: Humane conditions on chicken farms less costly than previously thought: Report
  • October 2019 | CTV News: World Farm Animals Day
  • June 2019 | France 24: Canada bans capture and breeding of dolphins, whales

Press releases

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A monkey in a cage

Reports

Our comprehensive reports library serves as a repository of knowledge, driving informed action and policy changes for the betterment of animal welfare worldwide.