Mercy for Animals Canada closes shop

October 31, 2014 – Mercy for Animals (MFAC) Canada has been absorbed by its U.S. head office and some staff have been let go.

According to Krista Osborne, former executive director for Mercy for Animals Canada “In an effort to achieve maximum impact for animals in the Canada, the U.S. and abroad, Mercy For Animals is streamlining its operations into a unified organizational structure.”  Operations will now be run out of the U.S. office.

The closing of the Canadian operation this week came without any prior announcement.

Following the shut-down of MFAC’s web site on Thursday, Osborne issued an online explanation of the new arrangement.

Osborne goes on to explain what this means for the Canadian operations. “I’m excited to share that this change in structure means we will be able to do even more life-saving work in Canada. A streamlined operation means we will be able to focus our resources on the most effective aspects of our programs here in Canada, which is great news for the animals!”

According to the former executive director, “We will continue to expose the truth of what happens behind the closed doors of factory farms, advocate for legal reform and changes in Canadian corporations, and conduct educational programs promoting a compassionate vegan diet.”

Osborne is directing people to the new unified MFA web site and the Mercy For Animals Facebook page, “so you will be in the loop about the impactful work we are doing here in Canada.”

Staffing has been reduced under the new structure and the board of directors has been dissolved. According to Osborne who is staying on as Managing Director- Canada “we certainly still have several employees in Canada. These include but are certainly not limited to the true heroes of our critical work, our undercover investigators. These are people you will not see on our web site, or anywhere else for that matter. But, the reality is that everything we do, and everything we are able to accomplish for animals, starts with them!”

The new unified web site only lists Osborne, as Managing Director, Canada. In addition to the dissolving of the board, it is rumoured that five or six staff have been let go. It is anticipated that Canadian hidden video work will continue. As recently as three weeks ago MFAC was advertising for “undercover investigators”.  In September MFAC said they had conducted six undercover operations and had garnered 1,200 media mentions in the past year.