Antifreeze Campaign
Links:

• Antifreeze Private Member's Bill

• Download Antifreeze Petition
  (PDF 122Kb)

• Download the Antifreeze Poster
  (PDF 201Kb)

• Send a letter to Gordon Campbell and Barry Penner

• Signs of antifreeze poisoning

• Other Animal Issues
  

Advocacy Links:

• BC SPCA Advocacy Home Page
  

• The Wildlife Act & Exotic Animals
  

• Farm Animal Transportation
  

• Antifreeze
  

• Criminal Code of Canada
  

• Vehicle Pet Safety
  

• Pets in Rental Housing
  

• United Nations Declaration
  

• Atlantic Seal Hunt
  

Antifreeze Campaign

Updates on the antifreeze campaign.
March 31, 2008 click here
July 17, 2007 click here

All cars, trucks, buses, and farm tractors use antifreeze to help prevent their engines from freezing over in the winter and over-heating in the summer.  

Antifreeze is the yellow-greenish liquid that is poured into radiators and circulates through engines to keep them operating at safe temperatures. But did you know, most brands of antifreeze contain ethylene glycol which is very poisonous - to people and animals? Thousands of animals (pets and wildlife) die each year from antifreeze poisoning. Antifreeze leaks from automobiles and is spilled in garages and onto pavement due to careless fluid changes.

Many animals like the taste of antifreeze and will readily consume it when given the opportunity. However, antifreeze, even in the smallest amounts, can have a very harmful and often fatal effect on your pet. Most animal intoxications take place in the fall, winter, and early spring, which are the seasons when antifreeze is most frequently used. As many as 88% of animal encounters with the toxin will end in fatality.

Use animal-friendly antifreeze
Fortunately, there is a less toxic alternative to the ethylene glycol-based antifreeze that is most commonly used. Pet-friendly antifreeze is propylene glycol-based and is now available at many retail outlets. It has anti-corrosive properties, is biodegradable, and is recyclable, making propylene-based antifreeze a better choice for the safety of pets and wildlife, personal health, vehicle engine protection, and for the environment. Make the switch today!

What else can you do to help?
Mop up spills and dispose of antifreeze properly
Take old antifreeze to an auto centre that recycles antifreeze - call ahead to check or contact the Recycling Council of BC at 1-800-667-4321 for a list of outlets. Never pour used antifreeze down storm drains, sinks, toilets or on the ground.

Sign the petition! Help collect more names.
MLA Scott Fraser is an NDP member of the Legislative Assembly in the BC government from Alberni-Qualicum. Mr. Fraser is trying to get all government members of the Legislative Assembly to support his private members bill to ban poisonous antifreeze. Download the BC SPCA's petition to ban poisonous antifreeze. Get as many as you can to sign the petition. When you have collected all the signatures you can, mail it to:
MLA Scott Fraser
3699 3rd Avenue
Port Alberni BC  V9Y 4E7

Note: If you collect more than 15 names, addresses and signatures, do not append separate sheets of paper or write on the back of the petition sheet. To add more names and signatures, please print or photocopy a new form as names without the correct petition heading and wording will not be valid.

Email Premier Gordon Campbell and Environment Minister Barry Penner at premier@gov.bc.ca & barry.penner.mla@leg.bc.ca asking them to support the law banning poisonous antifreeze. Click here for the address and a sample letter that you can copy and paste.