On Canada Day, this tiny piglet was found near Grand Bend after falling from a livestock transport truck during one of the hottest weeks of the entire year. He was only about three weeks old, weighed just 10 pounds, and wasn’t able to put any weight on his left leg. He was brought to Cedar Row, where our veterinarian came out on the holiday to provide pain relief and reduce his swelling. The next day, X-rays revealed the heartbreaking extent of his injuries. He had suffered a broken femur and severe damage to his hip. His injuries were too severe to repair, and he was euthanized to prevent any further suffering. As Canadians celebrated our country on Canada Day, this little piglet’s story revealed a side of Canada that is often overlooked. Most Canadians assume there are laws protecting farmed animals, but in reality, these animals are some of the least legally protected in the country. We have no national laws specifically regulating how animals are treated on farms. Instead, our country relies on industry-developed standards. The only federal laws that apply to farmed animals govern transport and slaughter, and even those protections are beyond inadequate. This lack of protection extends from the conditions in which animals are raised to the trucks that carry them to slaughter. Many species can legally be transported for up to 36 hours without food or water, while chicks can be transported for up to 72 hours. Animals may also be transported through extreme heat and cold, resulting in millions of animals being injured or killed each year. We couldn’t change what happened to this little piglet. But we can remember him and share his story. And we can continue advocating for stronger protections and greater compassion for the animals who are too often seen only as commodities.