A decades-long dream is facing a heartbreaking end in British Columbia. The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear a final appeal, effectively sealing the fate of approximately 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood.
The legal battle began after an outbreak of avian flu in December 2024 claimed the lives of 69 birds. Despite the farm owners’ insistence that the remaining ostriches are healthy and pose no threat, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ordered a complete cull to prevent further spread of the disease.
The CFIA maintains its actions are necessary and legally sound, emphasizing its mandate to protect both animal and public health, as well as the multi-billion dollar poultry industry. Both lower courts agreed, finding the agency acted reasonably and fairly throughout the process.
But for the family behind Universal Ostrich Farms, this isn’t about economics or regulations – it’s about a lifetime of dedication. Katie Pasitney, daughter of co-owner Karen Espersen, shared a tearful plea online, describing the ostriches as “everything we have…everything we’ve loved for 35 years.”
Her desperation echoed a raw pain felt by supporters who have rallied around the farm. In a heartbreaking video, Pasitney recorded her mother being comforted, stating, “She’s going to lose everything she’s loved. That’s what pain looks like when the government fails you.”
The farm has fought tirelessly, arguing the ostriches possess unique genetics worth preserving. Offers to relocate the birds, even to the ranch of Dr. Mehmet Oz, were declined as the family sought a complete reversal of the cull order.
Throughout the protracted legal battle, demonstrations unfolded outside the farm, attracting attention from figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and “Freedom Convoy” organizer Tamara Lich, highlighting the emotional resonance of the case.
Despite multiple stays of execution and appeals, the courts consistently sided with the CFIA. The agency has warned against any attempts to obstruct its work, stating that interference could lead to prosecution.
The timeline of events reveals a relentless struggle: from the initial flu-like symptoms in early December 2024, to the anonymous report that triggered the CFIA’s intervention, and through a series of court rulings and desperate pleas.
Now, with all legal avenues exhausted, the CFIA is preparing to move forward with the “complete depopulation” of the flock. The timing remains uncertain, but the end of an era for Universal Ostrich Farms is tragically near.
The farm owners and their supporters are left with a profound sense of loss and a stinging accusation: a belief that they have been abandoned by a system designed to protect, not destroy, a family’s livelihood and a beloved flock.
