Canadian Animal Law, 2nd Edition

“This is a capacious and compelling treatise about the state of animals today in Canadian law. Immensely clear, readable and comprehensive, and covering the latest legal developments, the book is an impressive blend of facts, laws, practice and other advocacy stories, and informed opinion... Whether one wants to learn efficiently about a specific regulatory area or grasp the wider legal landscape as to how Canadian laws treat animals, this is the go-to book for the legal profession, law students, and the wider public. Readers new to the area as well as seasoned advocates will learn from Shroff’s seemingly endless and outstanding expertise in animal law.” – Prof. Maneesha Deckha, Law professor, University of Victoria, scholar

“Vancouver lawyer Victoria Shroff is a pioneer of animal law in Canada... an accessible introduction to animal law that will be of interest to SPCAs, humane societies, and anyone who cares about animals...” – Dr. Zazie Todd, animal behaviour expert and award-winning writer

“...Even in the few years since the first edition of Victoria’s outstanding book, our knowledge about nonhuman sentience has grown in leaps and bounds...a wide-ranging book by award-winning Canadian lawyer and educator Victoria Shroff ... clearly shows how laws that apply to nonhuman animals ‘intersect with more mainstream practice areas, including family law, criminal law, wills and estates, environmental law and professional liability.” – Dr. Marc Bekoff, animal expert and award-winning writer

The newly revised and updated second edition of Canadian Animal Law, written by prominent Canadian animal lawyer-educator, V. Victoria Shroff, KC, is the “go-to” animal law textbook. Providing a clear and comprehensive overview of animals and the law in Canada, including the challenging issues animals face navigating the legal system, this unique modern textbook is designed to be accessible to anyone interested in companion, wild, and farmed animal issues including students, lawyers, academics, environmentalists, and those working in the animal field.

Drawing on her more than 25 years of experience in the animal law field – in both the courtroom and the classroom – Shroff provides commentary and analysis of the main issues in animal law, with a focus on how it intersects with more mainstream practice areas, including family law, criminal law, housing, wills and estates, environmental law and professional liability. Her insightful examination of these topics is illustrated with interesting real-life examples, case studies and case law and an understanding of intersectional points of view. In addition, this unique book includes chapters dedicated to international animal law, wildlife law and animals in research and science.

Canadian Animal Law, 2nd Edition is written in easy to understand, plain language to resonate with a wide audience. It offers authoritative, practical, and forward-thinking insights from one of Canada’s most prominent animal law experts and one of the leading voices in national animal law issues. It combines legal theory, real-world case examples, and practical guidance.

What’s New In This Edition

• Special Foreword by The Honourable Catherine Fraser, A.O.E., KC, former chief justice of Alberta
• Updated timely commentary, new case law, and legislation since the first edition (published in 2021)
• Expanded content in every chapter, with up-to-date developments in animal law

Who Should Read This Book
This book will be of value to anyone looking to get up to speed on animal law or social justice. It is ideal for both legal professionals and advocates who want actionable knowledge, not just academic discussion, including:

• Paralegals, law clerks, law students, and educators – a valuable teaching aid and reference work that brings together all areas of animal law in one resource
• Policy makers, law makers and researchers – provides a deep understanding of legal precedents and current issues affecting animals that will help with crafting or enforcing laws
• Animal law practitioners – new and seasoned lawyers will benefit from reading a comprehensive resource covering the intersections between animal law and other legal areas, including criminal law, torts, family law, farm law, administrative law and environmental law
• Human–animal groups, advocates, NGOs, humane societies, SPCAs, animal shelters, veterinarians and vet techs – offers practical insight into everyday legal issues faced when working with or advocating for animals in legal sector and elsewhere
• Students of ethics, sociology or environmental studies – helps deepen their interdisciplinary understanding of human responsibilities toward animals
• Pro bono clinics, law libraries, public libraries and legal associations – readers can stay up-to-date in the changing legal field of animal law

What Others Have Said
The voices from academia, advocacy, peers, and clients reflect Canadian Animal Law as not only a scholarly authority, but a practical, empathetic tool for progressive legal change.

• Professor Maneesha Deckha (University of Victoria ) calls it: “A capacious and compelling treatise about the state of animals today in Canadian law… Immensely clear, readable and comprehensive… the go to book for the legal profession, law students, and the wider public.”
• Dr. Zazie Todd (animal behaviour expert and award winning writer) describes it as: “An accessible introduction to animal law that will be of interest to SPCAs, humane societies, and anyone who cares about animals, as well as lawyers and law students.”
• Dr. Marc Bekoff (ethologist and biologist) emphasizes its breadth: “A wide ranging book… clearly shows how laws that apply to nonhuman animals … intersect with more mainstream practice areas, including family law, criminal law, wills and estates, environmental law and professional liability.”

Reviews & Testimonials

• Gary Charbonneau (filmmaker) praises it as: “An exceptional read and well balanced. Victoria has done an excellent job of informing the reader on various topics without providing unnecessary material. While professionally written, Victoria’s personal experience and journey is felt throughout."
• Brooks Animal Law Digest highlights Shroff's leadership and standing: Notes that Shroff is among Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers and an associate fellow at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, affirming her credibility in the field.
• Barbara Cartwright (CEO, Humane Canada) underscores the book’s moral compass: “Each animal possesses intrinsic value… Canada needs to restructure its legal framework… recognizing they are sentient beings…”
• The Honourable Robert Bauman, KC: In Canadian Animal Law, Shroff cites the then Chief Justice of BC, The Honourable Robert Bauman: “whether we are talking about animals as pets, animals as part of our industrial food supply system, animals as sentient beings in need of protection from inhumane treatment or even animals involved in criminal offences,” to highlight the law’s growing recognition of animals beyond mere property.
• Edward Fennell (legal journalist): Now here is is something you don’t stumble across every week – a new book on animal law. Like most things peculiarly successful these days it comes from Canada having been written by V. Victoria Shroff, KC, Canada’s first and only animal law lawyer appointed King’s Counsel. She is an Associate Fellow of the UK’s Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and has 25years of experience working in this unusual field. And as as British Columbia’s longest-serving animal law practitioner Shroff is recognized as a national leader in the field.
  
  So under the title Canadian Animal Law — Marking a new era in Canadian Animal Law her formidable new second edition of the work is now published by LexisNexis Canada. Aimed at legal professionals, academics, students, policymakers, and animal advocates the book is also likely to have relevance to those interested in companion, wild, and farmed animal issues...Featuring In-depth commentary and analysis across mainstream legal areas including family law, criminal law, housing, wills and estates, environmental law, and professional liability Shroff also includes real-life case examples and case law highlighting intersectional perspectives and practical implications. Dedicated chapters addressing international animal law, wildlife law, and the roles of animals in research and science complete the package.
  
  Adding weight to the launch the Canadian Lawyer recently published an article by Shroff in which she reflects on the significant progress of animal law over the past 25 years—and the work still to be done.
• Eugene Meehan, K.C. (former Executive Legal Officer at the SCC): June 7th marks National Animal Rights Day — an opportunity to reflect on how public institutions evolve alongside society’s changing ethical commitments toward animals. The Supreme Court of Canada appears to be doing just that. The decision by Canada’s highest court to retire the traditional mink fur-trimmed scarlet robes reflects a broader shift toward a more contemporary and culturally conscious understanding of institutional symbolism.
  
  Victoria Shroff, K.C., who helps keep Canada current on all things animal-law-related, observed that the change represents more than simply a wardrobe update:
  “By modernizing their ceremonial garb, and making fur trimmed robes history, the Supreme Court of Canada signals an awareness of evolving societal values and symbolism in public institutions.” Victoria wrote in Canadian Animal Law (2nd ed., 2025), the use of animal fur for clothing is increasingly viewed as outdated: “Fur is for animals.”

Media Resources

• Who gets Rover? Lawyers discuss pet custody in divorce at UVic panel event – Victoria News
• When Love Splits — Who Gets the Dog? – Josh & Jade: Soundbites
• Animal law has progressed significantly in the last 25 years – but it has much further to go – Canadian Lawyer Magazine
• Animals need lawyers – CBA/ABC National
• Social Justice and Legal Responsibility for Animals – CBA BarTalk
• Animal lawyers call on Ontario to protect Marineland’s belugas – CBA/ABC National
• Animal Law Is Evolving—But Not as Fast as It Should – Interview by Dr. Marc Bekoff, Psychology Today
• Interview with V. Victoria Shroff – The Last Show with David Cooper
• Q+A: Wildlife Law with Victoria Shroff – The Fur Bearers
• Getting better restrictions for wild cat ownership in BC – Mornings with Simi
• Is pet insurance worth it? – Financial Pipeline
• Vancouver lobbies province to ban no-pet clauses in rental housing – CBC News
• For the 1st time, B.C. judge awards custody of family pet in divorce case – Global News
• In the animal's best interest – CBA / ABC National
• In Difficult Times for Humanity, Animals Can Unite Us – The Globe and Mail
• Who gets to keep the pet after a breakup? – CBC British Columbia
• BC looks at new guidance for pet custody disputes – Global News
• Judge orders shared custody of pet dog under new B.C. law – CBC News
• Who gets the dog in a divorce? Changes to B.C. family law hope to help courts decide – The Globe and Mail
• Law360 Canada columnist among 26 named King’s counsel in British Columbia – Law360 Canada
• Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers 2023 – Canadian Lawyer
• ‘Those dogs are terrified.’ Puppy mills can leave lasting damage, animal advocates say. But they aren’t banned by any province – Toronto Star
• Why Animals Need Law – TEDxCapilano U
• Attorney General: Changes to Family Law Act will make it easier for separating couples – BC Gov News
• B.C. plans family law changes to decide who gets the pets when couples split – Toronto Star
• B.C. wants pets to be treated more like humans and less like property in divorce proceedings – CBC News
• New B.C. legislation looks to clarify pet custody during divorce – Today In BC
• Animal Law + Turning Your Passion into a Niche – A Chat at the Bar
• Canadian animal law scorecard: here’s what should happen in 2023 – Canadian Lawyer
• Is it meaningful to have Animal Rights Day? – Law360 Canada
• Shop cat can't come back, says Vancouver health authority – CBC News
• Canadians who got pandemic pets say they've experienced mental health benefits – CBC News
• Consider the octopus, and how it could challenge our ideas about meat – The Globe and Mail
• Donoghue v. Stevenson anniversary conference May 26 will ‘hail the snail’ – Law360 Canada
• Ian Mulgrew: Are you ready to be sued by your pet? – Vancouver Sun
• Practice of animal law gives pets, domestic animals and wildlife a 'voice' conference attendees told – Canadian Lawyer
• Animal Law 101 2022 – CLEBC
• Pets versus children – BioEdge
• Animals may not be human but they can be persons of interest in U.S. – Law360 Canada
• B.C. pair charged under B.C's Wildlife Act with feeding Stanley Park coyotes – CBC News
• The year 2021 in animal law – The Georgia Straight
• Victoria wins Christmas, Iris makes herstory – Pete's Blog and Grille
• An Interview with Victoria Shroff about Canadian Animal Law – Companion Animal Psychology
• How Animal Law Applies to Many Areas of Mainstream Practice – Psychology Today
• Longtime animal lawyer takes her canine co-teacher to Vancouver school for class on empathy – Vancouver Sun