If the Calgary Stampede Stands Behind Its Welfare Standards, It Should Welcome Scrutiny

Photographers: Jo-Anne McArthur, Jordan Rivers, Leigh Vogel

Authors: Cynthia Hughes (Writer and Photojournalist, We Animals), Alexandra Pester (Senior Staff Lawyer, Animal Justice), Chantelle Archambault (Communications Director, Vancouver Humane Society)

Born and raised in Beaumont, Alberta, the Calgary Stampede was a summertime fixture of Cynthia Hughes’ childhood—the parades, pancake breakfasts, line dancing, and all the festive chaos of a globally renowned good ‘ol giddyup of a party.

This year, as an animal photojournalist with We Animals, Cynthia applied for media accreditation to photograph the Stampede.

She simply wanted to document the event. But the Stampede ignored her request and refused accreditation, and despite following up, she’s received no response.

The question of who can access and document the Stampede matters deeply to the thousands of Canadians who have followed and advocated around the event’s controversial use of animals. Decisions about who gets to bear witness shouldn’t happen behind closed doors.

Independent documentation is one of the few tools available to hold rodeo organizers accountable for the treatment of animals behind the chutes. When photojournalists and advocates are kept out, the public loses one of its only windows into what is actually happening to these animals.

And there are no alternatives. It’s not as simple as just buying a ticket and attempting to film from the stands. Video recording of Stampede rodeo events isn’t permitted, and far more worrisome: anyone who shares footage showing harm to animals runs the risk of prosecution under Alberta’s repressive “ag-gag” law passed in 2019.

Since 1986, at least 110 animals have died in connection with the Stampede’s rodeo and chuckwagon racing events. That’s about one animal death for every 3.5 event days.

The Stampede claims to be proud of its animal welfare standards. So then why the secrecy? Why so tightly control who can photograph its events? Why are only photographers who promise promotional imagery granted access?

For decades, Canadian animal welfare organizations have been sounding the alarm on issues related to the Calgary Stampede. Groups like Animal Justice and the Vancouver Humane Society have shed light on the realities animals face at the Stampede: the stress, the injuries, the forced performances.

Vancouver Humane Society polling commissioned in 2024 found that most Canadians oppose several cruel animal events at the Calgary Stampede, and opposition increased following four widely publicized animal deaths during that year’s rodeo and chuckwagon races.

Despite this growing public opposition, there is now increased censorship and scrutiny from event officials.

If the Stampede is proud of how it treats animals, it shouldn’t be afraid of a camera. But instead of accountability, there’s only a broadcast that cuts away when the harm starts.

The Stampede presents itself as a modern, ethical celebration of Western culture. Those values deserve transparency.

If the organization is confident in its animal welfare standards, it should be willing to open its gates to scrutiny rather than fear it.

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