Concern grows for B.C. ostriches under 'care' of Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Supporters of the ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms are becoming increasingly worried about the health of the flock under the custody of the authorities.

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  |   October 21, 2025   |   News Analysis   |   1 Comment

On Monday's live stream, Sheila Gunn Reid and David Menzies discussed the ongoing saga at Universal Ostrich Farms as concern is growing over the health of the hundreds ostriches under the care of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Since the CFIA assumed control in early 2025, the farm has been under heavy security, with RCMP patrols, hay bale barriers, and restricted access to prevent interference from protesters.

Supporters of the farm and its ostriches have been largely barred from the site, leading to claims that the birds could be suffering without the specialized care they received from the owners.

A long-time supporter of the farm named Jim Kerr was arrested last week after allegedly attempting to feed the birds who he says are suffering and hungry. Kerr has been on the farm for extended periods of time since April, livestreaming events in support of the ostriches and farmers.

“I’ve watched the behaviour of these birds. I’ve seen how they operate. I’ve seen, you know, how they feed, and it’s never been like this,” he explained. “You don’t get 20 birds scrambling over a little bit of food like this,” Kerr added.

Katie Pasitney, a farm spokesperson and daughter of one of the farm's co-owners, spoke out after the arrest of Kerr.

“I understand why he did it. And that's the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, pushing good people to do things like that. Because we're all sitting by watching the neglect of the animals and how hungry they are,” she said.

Supporters of the farm and its owners are currently in a stalemate with the CFIA as the Supreme Court of Canada deliberates on whether to grant an appeal hearing for Universal Ostrich Farms or allow the cull to move forward.

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For months, our team has been on the ground at Universal Ostrich Farms, documenting every step of this tragedy — from the first ominous signs of federal overreach to the night nearly a thousand shots rang out, leaving a field of hundreds of dead ostriches and a family shattered.

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  • Bruce Atchison
    commented 2025-10-21 19:18:54 -0400
    Is it ineptitude or deliberate sabotage? The CFIA would love it if all the birds died from neglect. Let’s NEVER forget what these bureaucratic thugs did and are doing to those farmers. What’s next? Will other livestock be killed and confiscated due to animal one getting sick? And what about pets contracting the bird flu and passing it on to people? Will all cats and dogs be confiscated and killed? Where will it end?