BREAKING: Canada’s Largest Horse Slaughterhouse, Bouvry Exports, Has Permanently Closed

Animal advocates are celebrating a major victory after The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition confirmed that Bouvry Exports, once Canada’s largest horse slaughterhouse, has permanently closed.

In a statement, the organization said:

“We have received confirmation that the Bouvry Exports slaughter plant in Fort Macleod, Alberta, is permanently closed. The facility is no longer accepting horses for slaughter!”

The closure follows months of speculation, with rescuers reporting empty pens and little activity at the site.

According to the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition, the news was further confirmed by a prolific kill buyer, who stated that horses will likely now be trucked to Viandes Richelieu (a division of Bouvry Exports) for slaughter in Quebec.

While advocates are calling this a major step forward, they stress that the fight is far from over:

“We celebrate the closure of Bouvry Exports but realize that there is still work to be done! Horses across Canada and from the U.S. will continue to be transported to Quebec for slaughter. This industry, as well as the live exports of draft horses to Japan for slaughter, must end completely.”

According to Animal Justice, the closure follows years of alleged cruelty and legal violations tied to the facility.

The group points to multiple incidents, including:

• 2010 hidden-camera footage appearing to show conscious horses having their throats cut while hung upside down

• A 2023 legal complaint after an investigation documented dead horses on the property and others suffering from illness and injuries

• A 2025 case in which the company was convicted and fined approximately $17,000 after multiple charges were laid by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, largely tied to animal suffering

According to the organization, the company ultimately reached a plea deal, pleading guilty to a single paperwork-related offense. Its license had also been suspended in 2022 over food safety concerns.

Although the Alberta facility is now closed, the fight is far from over. Horses are still being transported overseas for slaughter, and live export operations continue.

Take action today. Send a letter through Animal Justice urging the Canadian government to permanently ban live horse exports HERE!