
Media Centre
We’re always happy to respond to media inquiries and can arrange comment and interviews with our campaign and policy experts.
Scroll down to meet our experts for more info or contact our media team for any inquiries:
Nina Devries, Media Manager
1 416 369 0044 x100
Toll-free: 1 800 363 9772 x100
NinaDevries@worldanimalprotection.ca
Beth Sharpe, Communications Director
1 416 369 0044 x111
Toll-free: 1 800 363 9772 x111
BethSharpe@worldanimalprotection.ca
In the news
- December 2020 | Global News: World Animal Protection is advising people to not buy an exotic pet as a gift this holiday season
- November 2020 | Ottawa Citizen: Hamers: Canada's mink farms should be shut down over potential COVID link
- October 2020 | Windsor Star: | Guest column: Farm animals deserve better treatment and protection
- August 2020 | CTV news: The elusive python is still on the loose in Winnipeg
- June 2020 | Toronto Star: Ontario law to protect food producers could punish whistleblowers, animal rights groups warn
- June 2020 | Travel Courier: Watching out for wildlife post pandemic
- 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
Recent releases
- January 27, World Animal Protection Supports New Whale Heritage Sites
- January 19, World Animal Protection calls on PetSmart to stop selling wild animals
- December 4, Exotic pets may suffer during the holiday season warns global charity
- November 19, Canadians demand G20 leaders stop the wildlife trade to prevent another pandemic
- October 16, World Animal Protection highlights the threat of superbugs on World Food Day
- October 2, We should all speak up for animals on World Farm Animals Day
- September 30, World Animal Protection says UN leaders must curb the global wildlife trade to protect biodiversity and stop future pandemics
- September 28, More action needed to end rabies by 2030 deadline says World Animal Protection
- September 23, More support needed to help mother pigs have better welfare conditions says global charity World Animal Protection
- July 27, Music icons join World Animal Protection in calling for a ban on the global wildlife trade to help stop another pandemic
- June 26, New footage from World Animal Protection shows cruel elephant training for tourist entertainment
- May 12, World Animal Protection Calls on G20 Leaders to Help Prevent Another Pandemic
- April 21, World Animal Protection Says COVID-19 Shines Light on a Broken Food System and Animal Welfare
- April 17, World Animal Protection Launches Emergency Appeal for Elephants in Thailand Facing Starvation Due to COVID-19
- April 7, World Animal Protection Calls on WHO to Ban Wildlife Markets to Save Human Lives
- April 2, Cruel Bear Bile Industry Thrives Despite Pandemic Risks Says World Animal Protection
- March 23, World Animal Protection Calls for International Ban on Wildlife Trade Due to COVID-19
- March 10, Canada Flunks on Animal Welfare Says Global Report from World Animal Protection
- January 15, Global charity, World Animal Protection, says fast food chains are failing when it comes to chicken welfare
- January 10, International Australian Bushfire Recovery Appeal launched for animals
- December 9, Bring Comfort and Joy To Animals This Holiday Season
- November 25, New Report From World Animal Protection Says Improving Animal Welfare on Farms Is Key to Fighting Superbugs
- October 24, New report from World Animal Protection exposes scale of suffering behind dolphin tourism experiences
- October 4, Risky Business in Your Neighbourhood, According to New Report from World Animal Protection
- October 2, World Farm Animals Day Highlights Need for Better Animal Welfare Standards
- July 29, Canadian zoos among venues offering cruel, outdated activities says new global report
- July 22, New hope for chickens living in horrible factory farm conditions
- June 7, World Oceans Day is a Reason to Celebrate and Reflect
- June 5, Walmart Canada Should Publicly Confirm Higher Welfare Plans for Mother Pigs
- May 29, Otter smuggling fuelled by craze for cute animals
- Mar 21, Many seafood companies in murky waters when it comes to tackling lost fishing gear
- Mar 8, Captive marine mammals traded and exploited for tourist entertainment
- Feb 27, Animal welfare is seemingly not a priority for some global food companies indicates international report
- Jan 21, Fast Food Chains Lack Commitment on Chicken Welfare
- Dec 19, Global charity discovers superbugs in pork products
- Dec 18, Lizards and turtles and birds? Oh My… Animal Charity Urges People Not To Give Exotic Pets As Gifts During Holiday Season.
- Nov 30, Giving Back to Animals This Holiday Season
- Nov 22, Award Winning Charity Reveals Travel Associations Could Do More to Protect Wildlife
- Sep 29, Undercover investigation: Shocking new evidence finds wild jaguars cruelly poached to fuel traditional Asian medicine trade
- Sep 27, Next generation of travellers are opting out of harmful animal activities
- Sep 20, Canada signs on to global initiative to protect marine wildlife
- Jun 5, Saving marine animals with new mobile game partnership
- May 29, Thai elephant camp is pioneering elephant-friendly tourism in Thailand
- Apr 17, Walmart Canada has the chance to win customers through transparency
- Mar 28, The Travel Corporation partners with World Animal Protection to help protect animals in tourism
- Mar 08, High Liner and 14 other seafood giants ranked in new report
Reports
- Published April 2, 2020: Cruel Cures: The industry behind bear bile production and how to end it
- Published March 23, 2020: Suffering in silence: Uncovering the cruelty of the global trade in Ball pythons
- Published March 10, 2020: The Animal Protection Index (API), 2nd edition
View our library of reports and publications on animal protection issues, from farming to marine mammals in captivity.
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, Campaign Director
Melissa has been leading successful animal welfare and environmental campaigns for nearly 20 years. After leading Earthroots’ campaigns to protect wilderness and wildlife in Ontario, she joined World Animal Protection in 2005 to protect the welfare of animals — wild and domestic — in Canada and around the world. As the Campaign Director she oversees the organization’s campaigns in Canada. Melissa has authored numerous reports and regularly advises government and companies on animal welfare policy. She also works closely with Canadian and global travel brands to phase-out harmful wildlife tourism activities. Melissa obtained a Bachelors in Environmental Science from the University of Guelph and a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University.

Lynn Kavanagh, Campaign Manager
Lynn has worked in the animal advocacy field for many years, mostly focused on farm animal welfare. She is currently the Campaign Manager for the Raise Pigs Right and Change for Chickens campaigns in Canada. She received an MSc degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.

Scott Cantin, Global Head of Disaster Communications
Scott joined World Animal Protection in 2012. Coming from an international development background, he recognized how seldom aid included provisions for animals, despite their critical role in community health and wellbeing. Scott has worked in conflict zones, dozens of disaster responses and humanitarian emergencies and created an induction and training program for deployable communications staff.
