HomeV. Victoria Shroff was appointed K.C. -King’s Counsel. The Attorney General of British Columbia’s announcement notes that Victoria “is widely considered to be a pioneer in animal law in B.C. and one of Canada’s first animal lawyers”
Being appointed King’s Counsel for her work in animal law is a win for recognition of animal law as well as a personal milestone for Victoria.
__________________________
Victoria was voted a “Top 25 Most Influential Lawyer” in Canada by Canadian Lawyer Magazine (2023)
____________
V. Victoria Shroff Received a Letter of Congratulations from Honourable John Horgan, Premier of BC, for her work and teaching in animal law.
There’s always something new at Shroff Animal Law Check this page often for updates or even easier, check our our X/twitter feed or Instagram page @shroffanimallaw
- Victoria was appointed as an associate Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/v-victoria-shroff-law_oxfordcentreforanimalethics-animallaw-animalethics-activity-7079586683612000256-VoAO?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop - Exciting New Changes to BC’s Pet Custody Law! Victoria provided input into proposed changes to BC laws concerning pet custody and was quoted in the BC Government news release when changes were announced.
B.C. legislation looks to clarify pet custody during divorce- V. Victoria Shroff, BC’s longest serving animal law lawyer, provided input to proposed changes to BC’s Family Law Act concerning pet custody. Changes will clarify pets’ vital role in families and provide more guidance for people and judges involved in animal custody disputes.
-Victoria Shroff is Chairing BC’s 1st Animal Law Conference for CLEBC in April 2022 – (and she chaired the Animal Law Conference in 2024 and 2026)
–Animal Law 101 – An Introduction from Course Chair V. Victoria Shroff – YouTubeAnimal Law 101 Brochure.docx In addition to our keynote speaker, Chief Judge Gillespie, BC Animal Law Luminaries will be speaking at BC 1st Animal Law Conference.
Canadian Lawyer Mag attended the 1st Animal Law conference and have written a very thoughtful article. https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/practice-areas/litigation/practice-of-animal-law-gives-pets-domestic-animals-and-wildlife-a-voice-conference-attendees-told/365800
Treatment of animals by Canadian legal system slowly evolving, legal experts say – The Lawyer’s Daily https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/35248/print?section=civillitigation
————–
Victoria is very often in the media talking about animal law issues, writing about animal law, or public speaking about animal law topics. Canadians care about animals and the law!
We also like regularly tweeting about animal law (see side bar). Follow us! @shroffanimallaw Victoria Shroff has written a book called Canadian Animal Law for LexisNexis Canada. She also regularly writes articles for legal and mainstream publications about animal law.
New Book on Animal Law!
In 2021, Victoria Shroff wrote a unique easily accessible book called Canadian Animal Law. Published for lawyers, students and the public it’s available from the publisher, Lexis-Nexis. Canadian Animal Law | LexisNexis Canada Store. (For more info or to order a copy, please see:http://ow.ly/Y5EF50FV0Ev In 2025, Victoria wrote the updated Version of Canadian Animal Law Book with a Foreword by the Hon. Catherine Fraser, Former Chief Justice of Alberta.
Book Review of Canadian Animal Law:
“The go-to book for the legal profession, law students, and the wider public.”
“This is a capacious and compelling treatise about the state of animals today in Canadian law. Shroff shares her rich practice-based knowledge and experience as a long-standing animal law lawyer to provide informative overviews and illuminating case snapshots of the laws (or lack thereof) pertaining to animals in different industries and settings. Immensely clear, readable and comprehensive, and covering the latest legal developments, the book is an impressive blend of facts, laws, practice and other advocacy stories, and informed opinion.
It provides readers with both breadth and depth in understanding how Canadian laws fail animals. Whether one wants to learn efficiently about a specific regulatory area or grasp the wider legal landscape as to how Canadian laws treat animals, this is the go-to book for the legal profession, law students, and the wider public. Readers new to the area as well as seasoned advocates will learn from Shroff’s seemingly endless and outstanding expertise in animal law.”
-Interview by Dr.Marc Bekoff in Psychology Today of Victoria Shroff – How Animal Law Applies to Many Areas of Mainstream Practice | Psychology Today Canada https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/animal-emotions/202109/how-animal-law-applies-many-areas-mainstream-practice
-Podcast on Animal Law and Victoria’s career as a trailblazing animal law lawyer. Recorded by Lexis Nexis: LexisNexis Canada Podcast/Balado: Canadian Animal Law Trailblazer on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/canadian-animal-law-trailblazer/id1527132541?i=1000553739610
-Lexis-Nexis is hosting an animal photo contest #LNCAnimalContest. Enter your animal photo for a chance to win a prize including a copy of #CanadianAnimalLaw 
-Animal Law Essay Contest 2022-2023 Details here: https://www.lexisnexis.ca/en-ca/academic/animal-law-essay-contest.page
-Victoria has had many interviews for CBC, Global, CTV, CKNW, Vancouver is Awesome and other news outlets. Here’s a recent interview about Wildlife and the Law for CBC: https://youtu.be/8lg8G4ShBro
-Happy Lawyer Profile about Victoria Shroff by Not Your Average Law Firm in 2021: https://notaveragelaw.com/lawyer-profiles/victoria-shroff
-Partnering with Starbuck’s, Victoria runs a successful toy drive for pets in need annually.
___
Fun Collab with #OvalPawffice in USA: Catbassador Ariel has been appointed as the Canadian Animal Law Pawbassador @TheOvalPawffice See: http://theovalpawffice.com
Upcoming Events & Animal Law News Items:
Info for Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers here: https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/general/voting-is-now-open-for-canadian-lawyers-top-25-most-influential-lawyers/365924
-April 2021 – Humane Canada Presentation
– BC Courthouse Library Presentation on Animal Law Spring 2021
-Canadian Animal Law Conference 2020, 2021, 2022
-November 2021 Violence Link Conference at Humane Canada
-May 2022, Victoria chaired a panel on Fur Farming at Humane Canada’s conference, #SummitForAnimals. Speakers included MP Nate Erskine-Smith, Dr. Sara Dubois, Dr. Jan Hajek, Chief Judy Wilson and Lesley Fox.
-September 2022, Victoria was on a panel at the Canadian Animal Law Conference
-November 2022 Victoria is invited to speak about Emotional Support Animals for CLEBC’s Human Rights Conference
-In August 2020, Victoria presented on pet custody at the European Animal Law Conference.
-In August 2020 Victoria was a guest speaker for an animal rescue organization. Elizabeth May MP was in attendance and shared some great input.
-Exciting work on several animal projects are ongoing & cases to make the lives of animals better
-Victoria is once again teaching animal law at UBC’s law school, Allard School of Law in 2023, 2025–She has taught at UBC for over 10 years.
August 2019: Punky Santics and BC Court of Appeal (filed for leave to the SCC) regarding dangerous dogs. We are co-counsel for the Plaintiff, Ms.Susan who is fighting for her dog Punky.
Aug. 15/19 ‘It’s devastating’: Local woman weighing options to save dangerous dog | CTV News https://bc.ctvnews.ca/it-s-devastating-local-woman-weighing-options-to-save-dangerous-dog-1.4551962
Victoria Guest Speaking at Career Fair & Other Community Events
June 24/2019 Victoria interviewed by CBC TV News about ‘Dangerous’ Dogs kept in the pound
-CBC TV news article about Punky the Dog and Dogs held in the pound is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6XTdHQQSxw&t=30s
-CBC Article by Andrea Ross on Punky ‘dangerous dog’ and his long stay in the Vancouver Pound. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/punky-dangerous-dog-shelter-1.5186133
-In May, we delivered a presentation for VOKRA, Vancouver Orphan Kittens Rescue Association and the public. -We also organized and presented about careers in animal law at community Career Fair in May.
-Victoria presented about the Link between animal abuse & domestic violence to UBC law students and at Humane Canada’s conference.
-Also in May, there will be a hearing of a big BC Court of Appeal case where Victoria Shroff is one of the 3 counsel acting for the Appellant and her dog Punky. Woman launches court appeal to save dog’s life Article by Gord McIntyre, Vancouver Sun about Punky. Victoria Shroff & Susan Santics interviewed. April 2019.
June 1 – 7 | Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.congress2019.ca/ — Congress 2019 will take place in June at UBC.-Victoria Shroff is presenting a paper on animal law at Congress 2019 held at UBC. She will be part of an amazing panel of top Canadian & US animal law scholars.
-Paws of Empathy Session in June 2019.
– Victoria Shroff is founding Chair of the National Canadian Animal Law Study Group (CALSG)
–
Victoria Shroff helped establish groundbreaking new pro-bono animal law clinic at LSLAP called the Animal Law Pro Bono Clinic (ALPC) in 2020 -Victoria Shroff: Access to justice is for animals too | Georgia Straight https://www.straight.com/news/victoria-shroff-access-to-justice-is-for-animals-too
New student-run pro bono animal law clinic victory for access to justice | Victoria Shroff – The Lawyer’s Daily https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/21909/new-student-run-pro-bono-animal-law-clinic-victory-for-access-to-justice-victoria-shroff |
UBC Experts Page: Victoria Shroff is on The UBC Experts page. Click here to see some of her published articles and interviews with major media news outlets.https://experts.news.ubc.ca/expert/victoria-shroff/
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Contact Us: 
Tel. 604. 891-0209 Speak to Landry or Veronkia M-F. Email us: shroffandassociates@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/v-victoria-shroff-0631601/
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/shroffanimallaw
–
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 
:
“This second edition of Canadian Animal Law, by Victoria Shroff, KC, one of Canada’s leading animal law lawyer-educators…makes a compelling case for change. Written in easily understood language, it is an indispensable resource not only for lawyers and law students but also for others who want a comprehensive understanding about the current state of animals and the law in Canada. “—-The Hon. Catherine Fraser, AOE, KC (Former Chief Justice of Alberta)—Extract from Foreword to Canadian Animal Law by V. Victoria Shroff, KC
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 book:
“This is a capacious and compelling treatise about the state of animals today in Canadian law. Shroff shares her rich practice-based knowledge and experience as a long-standing animal law lawyer to provide informative overviews and illuminating case snapshots of the laws (or lack thereof) pertaining to animals in different industries and settings. Immensely clear, readable and comprehensive, and covering the latest legal developments, the book is an impressive blend of facts, laws, practice and other advocacy stories, and informed opinion.”
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/
____________
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
V. V. Shroff, KC was nominated for a YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in 2024 (and 2023 & 2022) for her Animal Law, Access to Justice work.
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.
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
_______
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. 
_____________
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
V. Victoria Shroff, KC, has experience at all levels of court in BC with animal law cases.
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 ————
Contact us about your animal law case at (604) 891-0209 – Speak to Lily or Veronika M-F 8:30-5 Email: shroffandassociates@gmail.com | -To make an Animal law appointment: Email; ShroffAndAssociates@gmail.com phone 604 891-0209 M-F, 8:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Follow us on X/Twitter & Instagram @shroffanimallaw
LinkedIn/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/v-victoria-shroff-0631601/
For links to interviews and more information on lawyer Victoria Shroff’s extensive work as a pioneer in Animal law, educator and writer click here.
Twitter/ http://twitter.com/shroffanimallaw
For more information or to order the animal law book Victoria Shroff wrote called Canadian Animal Law click this link (LexisNexis 2021) http://ow.ly/Y5EF50FV0Ev
Victoria Shroff’s Animal Law on the UBC Expert’s Guide Work: https://experts.news.ubc.ca/expert/victoria-shroff/
[Victoria & Bronte]
At Shroff Animal Law we assist clients in all areas of Animal Law, Animal Protection/Rights, Wildlife and Animal Welfare at all levels of Court for all kinds of animals. Types of Cases we handle at Shroff Animal Law Include: 
- pet/animal liability
- ‘dangerous dog’ cases – dogs on death row or accused of being vicious
- pet custody – Who gets the dog when the couple or the roommates split up?
- pets issues in strata and tenancy – problems with neighbours, problems with strata council and pets, landlord tenant issues, eviction, problematic behaviours
- animals in transportation– on trucks, planes, taxis
- service animals, guide dogs, comfort animals, seeing eye dogs companion animals, emotional support animals human rights, discrimination
- animals and mental health issues
- wills and estates involving pets and animals
- lab animal issues,
- tainted pet food,
- cat and dog hoarding,
- serious dog bite, dog attack, injuries– dog bite on humans, other pets, children
- human rights
- adoption issues
- veterinary malpractice – negligence, mistakes, treatment issues
- urban and not so urban wildlife – bears, coyotes, squirrels, raccoons, rats, mice, rabbits
- pet insurance – denial of claim by pet insurance company
- horse cases, pig cases
- cruelty,
- defamation
- breeder cases – unhealthy animals, poor welfare
- groomer cases – injuries and problems
- animal advocacy, animal rights, animal welfare issues
- just about anything related to animals and the law.
- Animal Law mediation
- =====================================
She has lectured on animal law locally and internationally and is frequently called upon by major media such as CBC TV and Radio, Global TV and Radio for her specialized knowledge on all things animal law. In 2025, Victoria Shroff wrote, a book called Canadian Animal Law for Lexis Nexis. http://ow.ly/Y5EF50FV0Ev She also regularly writes about animal law and her work has been published in lawyer magazines and mainstream publications. publications.
. 
Contact (604) 891-0209 to make an animal law
appointment or email shroffandassociates@gmail.com
{Please note that information obtained from our Website isn’t, nor meant to be, legal advice. No solicitor/client relationship is created, and people or entities do not become clients, unless and until we expressly agree to act for the person or entity, and specifically not until the retainer agreement is signed.}
W websites.
w schools, rescue groups, to children and more.
“These amendments reflect how pets are valued as unique family members by society rather than as inanimate property like furniture,” said V. Victoria Shroff, animal law specialist at Shroff and Associates. “Having relevant factors to consider for these difficult decisions will bring more clarity and is a welcome change.”
Animals Being Considered in Pet Custody Cases vis FLA amendments is hugely important for animals.
V. Victoria Shroff has also written a whole chapter in her textbook
, Canadian Animal Law, about animals, pet custody, in the family setting. Publisher, LexisNexis Canada Inc. http://ow.ly/Y5EF50FV0Ev
Proposed amendments in British Columbia family law that would make custody battles over pets more family-friendly and consider what is best for the animal is “game-changing,” says Vancouver-based animal rights lawyer Victoria Shroff, going a long way towards reversing the mindset that pets are “someone and not something.”
-Groundbreaking BC family law changes weighs interests of pets in custody cases: animal rights lawyer | Canadian Lawyer Magazine https://lnkd.in/g9qT6NS5 By Zena Olijnyk
-Groundbreaking changes to B.C.’s pet custody laws May 17, 2023 By V. Victoria https://lnkd.in/gRePZsFD Law360 Canada
-BC looks at new guidance for pet custody disputes https://lnkd.in/g_PFwQz9
-Chek TV https://lnkd.in/gsbfrtwk
-CBC https://lnkd.in/gW_RF6ta CBC
-Globe & Mail https://lnkd.in/gvuQ2fxS
-Family pets to get more rights in B.C. divorce cases | Vancouver Sun https://lnkd.in/gZVScH-A