What’s New at Shroff Animal Law

Welcome to our Animal Law website at Shroff Animal law (aka ‘Shroff  & Associates’).  For over 25 years, we are BC’s Longest Running Animal Law firm pioneering the practice of animal law in Vancouver, BC, Canada in the year 2000.  Located in downtown Vancouver,  We exclusively practice animal law .  

About Our Principal Animal Law Lawyer: V. Victoria Shroff, KC:

V. Victoria Shroff, KC, (she/her), the principal animal lawyer at the firm, is widely credited as BC’s pioneering animal law lawyer and one of Canada’s 1st and Longest Serving Animal Law Lawyers.  She’s a multi- award winning trailblazing lawyer who has practiced in the unique area of animal law for over 25 years and her work has helped shape the landscape of animal law in Canada.

V. Victoria Shroff, KC, has a strong affinity for both animals and the law, having lived with animals as part of the family since infancy. And, her family have been in the legal profession for 4 generations starting with her Great Grandfather.  The boutique law firm of Shroff & Associates was founded decades ago by litigation lawyer (now retired) H. Shroff, K.C.  Being an Animal Law Lawyer, Educator & Author is the perfect fit for V. Victoria Shroff’s love of law & her deep respect & empathy for animals.

* V. Victoria Shroff is a ‘King’s Counsel’ Lawyer 

For her distinctive contributions to the development of animal law as a legal field, V. Victoria Shroff, KC was honoured with a prestigious appointment as King’s Counsel, (KC)* . The Honourable Attorney General of B.C’s  announcement noted  that V. Victoria Shroff “…is widely considered to be a pioneer in animal law in B.C. and one of Canada’s first animal lawyers”.

* “The King’s counsel designation… signifies an elevated standing among peers and clients, showcasing their unwavering commitment to unparalleled service and expertise.” (Outstanding Lawyers Appointed As King’s Counsel ) Only 7% of practising B.C. lawyers are awarded the King’s Counsel (KC) designation at any time. 

Significantly, V. Victoria Shroff, KC, is the 1st (& only) Animal Law Lawyer to ever be appointed King’s Counsel in Canada.  She is the 2nd lawyer in her family to be appointed K.C. after her father. (See: ‘Law360 Canada columnist among 26 named King’s counsel in British Columbia’ – Law360 Canada https://www.law360.ca/ca/articles/1778218/law360-canada-columnist-among-26-named-king-s-counsel-in-british-columbia)

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New Book! V. Victoria Shroff, KC, has written a unique textbook about Animal Law called Canadian Animal Law (Published by Lexis-Nexis https://store.lexisnexis.com/en-ca/products/canadian-animal-law-2nd-edition.html).  Written in an accessible easy to read style, it’s been called “the go-to” animal law book for both the legal profession and the public.  The comprehensive textbook was fully revised in 2025 with a special Foreword written by The Honourable Catherine Fraser, OAE, KC, the former Chief Justice of Alberta. 

-Quote from Catherine Fraser, AOE, KC, in Foreword to Canadian Animal Law  : 

To Order the Canadian Animal Law Book/ Info: click here (it’s available in both e-book & print): https://store.lexisnexis.com/en-ca/products/canadian-animal-law-2nd-edition.html

Prominent Law Professor Maneesha Deckha, stated this about Shroff’s animal law textbook:

Interview by Dr.Marc Bekoff about Canadian Animal Law book here: “A wide-ranging book by an award-winning Canadian lawyer” How Animal Law Applies to Many Areas of Mainstream Practice | Psychology Today  https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/animal-emotions/202109/how-animal-law-applies-many-areas-mainstream-practice  | Dr. Bekoff interviewed Victoria again about the fully revised 2nd ed. in October 2025: “Animal Law Is Evolving—But Not as Fast as It Should- A new edition of ‘Canadian Animal Law’ offers tools to effect positive change”.  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animal-emotions/202509/animal-law-is-evolving-but-not-as-fast-as-it-should 

“Vancouver lawyer Victoria Shroff is a pioneer of animal law in Canada. Her new book, Canadian Animal Law, is an accessible introduction to animal law that will be of interest to SPCAs, humane societies, and anyone who cares about animals, as well as lawyers and law students. ” – Dr. Zazie Todd, Companion Animal Expert  An Interview with Victoria Shroff about Canadian Animal Law-Law https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2021/12/an-interview-with-victoria-shroff-about.html#:~:text=By%20Zazie%20Todd%2C%20PhDshroff-

   “Now here is is something you don’t stumble across every week – a new book on animal law. Like most things peculiarly successful these days it comes from Canada having been written by V. Victoria Shroff, KC, Canada’s first and only animal law lawyer appointed King’s Counsel. She is an Associate Fellow of the UK’s Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and has 25 years of experience working in this unusual field. And as as British Columbia’s longest-serving animal law practitioner Shroff is recognized as a national leader in the field.“- Edward Fennell’s Legal Diary, UK, https://www.thelegaldiary.co.uk/edward-fennells-legal-diary-162/

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V. Victoria Shroff, KC was voted by her peers to be a ‘Top 25 Most Influential Lawyer’ in Canada  for her longstanding, influential work in animal law as one of Canada’s ‘Top 25 Most Influential  Lawyers‘ by Canadian Lawyer in 2023. https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/rankings/top-25-most-influential-lawyers-2023/379305 

“V. Victoria Shroff, a prominent animal law practitioner in Canada, has been recognized as one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada” by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. Selected through nominations highlighting her profound impact on the national legal landscape, Shroff’s accolade is a testament to her dedication to advocating for animal rights. In addition to this honour, she recently joined the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics as an Associate Fellow; a significant achievement furthering her mission to be a voice for animals in courtrooms, classrooms and legislatures.” – Brooks Animal Law Digest

Then Honourable Premier of BC, John Horgan, recognized V. Victoria Shroff’s contributions with a heartfelt letter of Congratulations for her long standing work in animal law and education.

Ted Talk TedX– V. Victoria Shroff, KC was invited to present an #AnimalLaw #Tedx talk for Capilano University- “Why Animals Need Law”  V. Victoria Shroff, KC TEDx Capilano U – 

Tedx Description: “V. Victoria Shroff, K.C. is an award winning animal law lawyer, author, and university instructor. Shroff is Canada’s first animal lawyer to be appointed King’s Counsel, K.C. She is sharing her ideas to spark the imagination for how we can move forward as One. V. Victoria Shroff is one of the first and longest serving animal law practitioners in Canada and the longest serving animal law lawyer in BC. She is an associate Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and founding chair of the Canadian Animal Law Study Group. She is an animal law trailblazer in both the courtroom and classroom and author of Canadian Animal Law (Lexis-Nexis). “

Click Here to Watch Shroff’s #AnimalLaw Tedx: https://youtu.be/Atb0SyUN3HA?si=aLFHISuqn2-mPkSF

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Groundbreaking Canadian Animal Law Case: Shroff and legal team filed for leave for a groundbreaking animal law case to Canada’s Top Court, the Supreme Court of Canada.  The case of Punky Santics was frequently covered by CBC & other news outlets due to its importance for animals & the law.   https://youtu.be/AjiKFGB0M_E

V. Victoria Shroff, KC is often involved at the forefront of new Animal Law developments in Canada such as BC’s groundbreaking new ‘Pet Custody’ /Family Laws  http://BC Gov News https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024PREM0001-000036

V. Victoria Shroff, KC, was further honoured with an an invitation to make a speech at the Hon. Premier and AG’s Press Conference on the day BC’s new ‘pet custody’/family laws came into effect in 2024.  http://B.C. changes approach to pet custody disputes https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2847448

-In 2026 Victoria spoke on a panel with the Hon. Niki Sharma, KC discussing pet custody law at U.Vic Law.

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 Types of Animal Law Cases We Take at Shroff Animal Law: 

At Shroff Animal Law we are Animal Focused.  

We help companion animals (pets) and also wild animals navigate through the legal system.   We bring the interests of animals forward. For the past 25+ years we  have been handling a wide range of cases to help animals including:

• dog bites or attacks
• ‘dangerous dog’ or ‘vicious’ or ‘aggressive’ dog cases  (notable case: City of Vancouver v. Sim)
• municipal (City) by-law cases involving animals such as barking dogs, off leash dogs and dog bites
• “pet custody” cases.  who gets to keep the pet when couples, roommates split up? ‘Who gets the pet in a divorce? BC’s new pet custody laws make it easier to decide’ by V. Victoria Shroff, KC https://www.straight.com/city-culture/who-gets-pet-in-a-divorce-bcs-new-pet-custody-laws-make-it-easier-to-decide# Pet Ownership issues
• housing issues involving pets or animals, residential tenancy, Strata/Condo issues
• veterinary negligence, mistake, veterinary malpractice (we help both veterinarians & the public)
• pet insurance denial claims
• dog or cat breeder issues
• cat cases
• human rights cases involving animals. service animals
• cruelty, ‘Violence Link’
• personal injury, dog attack
• wildlife issues, bears, deer, racoons, rabbits
• fur farming (notable case: The Association of Fur Bearing Animals v. Gunvaldsen)
• tainted pet food
• horse cases
• farm animal cases
• animals used in science, labs
• bird and rabbit cases and many other animal law cases
• settlement negotiations
• Animal Law Mediation & Facilitated Negotiations

V. Victoria Shroff, KC, has experience at all levels of court in BC with animal law cases. 

Several of Victoria’s notable animal law cases have been in the media.  (Eg. R. v. Whittle (‘dangerous’ dogs case & interim release of dogs), City of Vancouver v. Santics (case went to the SCC for leave), The Association of Fur Bearing Animals v. Gunvaldsen (fur farming).  Fortunately, the majority of Victoria’s cases have favorably settled outside of court.  Many of the animal law cases Victoria was the lawyer for that went to court (and the clients fortunately got to keep their animals), are also not ‘reported’ such as R. v. Lorenzetto (‘dangerous’ dog), Monkhouse v. Loenen (‘pet custody’), North Vancouver v. Shore and Luke (dog case).  Victoria also helps other lawyers in BC and in other provinces with their animal law cases and consults on animal law matters.

Important Note: The vast majority of animal law cases do not need to go to court.  At Shroff Animal Law we recognize that there are often non-court solutions to many animal law issues that work better for both clients and animals.   We also provide facilitated negotiations  and mediation in animal law cases at Shroff Animal Law for folks who would like to try to settle their animal law case without going to court.  

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Besides being an Animal Law lawyer and Author, V. Victoria Shroff , KC, is also an Animal Law Educator & adjunct Professor at two universities.  She is an (erst.) Adjunct Professor of Animal Law at UBC’s Law school, Allard School of Law where she has been teaching animal law since 2016.  She is also faculty at Capilano University’s School of Legal Studies where she founded & teaches a course on animal law.  

Ms.Shroff, KC, was appointed associate Fellow at the prestigious Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, in the UK. https://www.oxfordanimalethics.com/2023/06/v-victoria-shroff/

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Appointments Held by V. Victoria Shroff, KC|  Media Involvement| Guest Speaking | Chairing Animal Law Conferences |  Animal Law Writing | Advocacy | Animal Law Pro Bono Clinic| Founding-Chair of Canadian Animal Law Study Group (CALSG)

  V. Victoria Shroff, KC spearheaded Canada’s 1st and only Pro-Bono Animal Law Clinic at the Law Students Legal Advice Program (LSLAP) in 2020 and continues to volunteer her time for the Animal Law Pro Bono Clinic (ALPC) student clinicians.  Read more about the clinic here: https://www.cbabc.org/BarTalk/Articles/2023/October/Features/Canada%E2%80%99s-1st-Animal-Law-Pro-Bono-Clinic

At the heart of Victoria’s work is Access to Justice For All Animals. #A2JForAnimals

The BC Canadian Bar Association appointed Ms.Shroff to its Access to Justice Committee for 2 years.  She has recently been appointed to serve the profession through the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.

V. Victoria Shroff, KC, is Founding-Chair of the national Canadian Animal Law Study Group (CALSG) where she and other members are working to improve the lives of animals using the law. Find CALSG on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canadian-animal-law-study-group/ (CALSG posts on Insta and X @CdnAnimalLawSG https://x.com/CdnAnimalLawSG)

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Ms. Shroff, KC,  further contributes to the animal law field and access to justice by regularly writing about and being interviewed about animal law issues for the legal profession and the public.  She is frequently interviewed by CBC TV and Radio, Global TV, CTV, and other media outlets to provide animal law commentary and has been featured in several podcasts & documentaries about animals and the law.

Ms.Shroff, KC, also regularly consults with all levels of government, municipal, provincial and federal in Canada about animal law matters.

Ms. Shroff, KC is an expert member of the International Conservation Biodiversity Team (ICBT) based in France and Global Animal Lawyers (GAL) based in Europe. https://www.globalanimallaw.org/experts/victoria-shroff.html#:~:text=Being%20recognized%20with%20the%20KC,appointment%20some%2025%20years%20ago

Victoria is the Chair of the biannual Animal Law conference at CLE BC for the legal profession and has been in this leadership role since 2022, when CLE BC’s 1st animal law conference was introduced. CLE BC Online Store https://store.cle.bc.ca/productdetails.aspx?title=Animal-Law-Express-2026

-Victoria writes an animal law column and also regularly speaks at Animal Law Conferences.  

-For years, V. Victoria Shroff, KC, has been invited to guest speak on animal law at law schools in Asia, USA, Europe and Canada and at conferences worldwide.  She has wide experience in public speaking to lawyers, media, law schools, animal rescue groups, governments, & kids groups. 

The Animal Law firm of Shroff Animal Law is conveniently located in the centre of downtown Vancouver, across the street from the BC Courthouse complex.

We gratefully acknowledge that we are located and work from the unceded territories of the people (and animals) of the Coast Salish, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)  & xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

  Our Professional Fees are Reasonable & Fair.  We also have a sliding (lower) fee scale for non profit groups, those on a fixed income or disability.

 

Contact us about  your animal law issue M-F during office hours, speak to Lily or Veronika at: 604 -891-0209 | Email: shroffAndAssociates@gmail.com

 

Follow us on X/Insta @shroffanimallaw  and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/v-victoria-shroff-law/
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* A note about our website–it’s not fancy. Our energy & focus is on helping Animals, not on websites.