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World Society for the Protection of Animals
Thank you. With your support, WSPA and our member societies have achieved great things for animals in 2009. Many are better cared for, better protected, and have brighter futures.
Nearly 30,000 animals – 10,224 sheep and 17,932 cattle – have reportedly drowned as the Panamanian-flagged ship Danny F II sank off the coast of Lebanon yesterday.
I’m Steve Leonard, co-presenter of Orangutan Diary, recently shown on BBC2. Check out my behind the scenes photos from the series!
Information from Cairo suggests that more than half the pig population has been culled, despite there being no proven link between pigs and swine flu transmission. WSPA fears that brutal culling methods continue.
Tonight, 14th October at 7pm, actor Andrew Sachs of Coronation Street and Fawlty Towers fame, is appearing on UKTV Food to support WSPA's Pet Parties initiative to help the world's stray dogs.
The tornado that hit 11 villages in Orissa State, India, at the end of March uprooted trees and lifted people 30 feet into the air. WSPA’s emergency response team arrived just days later, equipped to help.
Animal welfare guidelines presented to the World Halal Forum 2009 by a WSPA team were very well received last week. They will be considered as part of a benchmark for the halal industry worldwide.
A recent outbreak of rabies on this otherwise idyllic island has seen government authorities rush headlong into a mass elimination programme – except they’re focussed on eliminating dogs, not rabies.
WSPA applauds Sainsbury’s announcement to stop selling eggs from hens kept in battery cages and sell only those from un-caged hens. This move by the country’s third biggest supermarket is largely due to the efforts of Compassion in World Farming, a WSPA member society.
The Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation operates the world's largest primate rehabilitation and rescue centre - you may have seen the sanctuary in the news recently.
The third International Anti-Bullfighting Summit saw animal welfare groups from around the world meet in Latin America for the first time, bringing fresh momentum to campaigns committed to ending this cruel blood sport.
A citizens’ advocacy campaign in Catalonia has resulted in local politicians approving a debate on changes to the Catalan Animal Protection Law, extending it to include the bulls and horses used in bullfights.
Over 36,000 dogs have been killed in China. This kneejerk reaction to reported human rabies cases ignores evidence that humane dog vaccinations are the only effective way to combat this disease.
Twenty intrepid WSPA supporters have just trekked across the stunning Carpathian Mountains of Romania to save bears from cruel captivity.
From Sunday, WSPA will accompany a group of orphaned bonobos on a historic journey back to the wild. This is the first ever attempt to reintroduce our closest ape relation to their natural habitat.
In a landmark decision, MPs from all four of Canada's political parties have unanimously adopted a motion which calls on the government to support (in principle) the development of a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.
Having trained over 800 forest department staff in anti-poaching methods, WSPA is focusing on crime-prevention and awareness in our efforts to end bear dancing in India. We aim to ensure cubs never leave their forest homes.
The Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) has just announced new regulations for broiler (meat) chickens in the UK.
International Whaling Commission meeting, Portugal: WSPA and fellow NGOs are calling on the United States and European Union nations to oppose a Danish proposal to kill 10 humpback whales a year.
A simulated disaster relief operation in Costa Rica has tested years of preparation between WSPA and local agencies, gauging both our ability and the community’s readiness to care for animals if the Turrialba volcano were to erupt.
Disney artist Wyland famous for his giant whale murals, teamed up with WSPA to create a 'whale wall' in support of the Caribbean anti-whaling movement.
A shocking documentary series has revealed that many duvets are stuffed with down plucked from live geese, causing acute suffering. WSPA is extremely disturbed by this fresh evidence about the down industry.
Egypt's recent pig cull caused domestic and international outrage, due to the cruel methods involved. More than 30,000 people from over 120 countries joined WSPA in speaking out against the brutal treatment of the pigs.
WSPA is funding over US$10,000 of veterinary supplies to assist the Palestine Wildlife Society as they respond to the current conflict’s brutal effects on working and companion animals.
WSPA Asia’s disaster management team is in Bihar, North East India, treating animals that have been rendered temporarily homeless by recent floods in the area.
Emmerdale actors Dominic Brunt and Mark Charnock will be hosting the second annual Zombie Film Festival in Leeds, on Sunday 26th April.
A global animal welfare campaign backed by 230 UK MPs and DEFRA has received a major boost from the European Union (EU), with all 27 countries voting unanimously in public support.
Farm animals spent the day stampeding around Bath city centre to promote the City Stampede, a fun run for the World Society for the Protection of Animals.
While the International Whaling Commission meets this week, TV naturalist Terry Nutkins and WSPA go ethical whale watching to highlight a far more positive way to appreciate these stunning mammals.
An 80-strong herd of cattle have become the first livestock to populate the Brazilian Model Farm, enabling the project to start training farmers in humane and sustainable farming methods.
UK animal lovers are being urged to lobby Spanish politicians to ban bullfighting in Catalonia, backed by comedian Ricky Gervais.
WSPA is calling on the UK Government to bring in higher welfare standards for British chickens.
WSPA, the world’s largest alliance of animal welfare organisations, has grown to a total of 1,012 member societies. Together we are changing animals’ lives.
This Christmas WSPA is asking people to spare a thought for animals. Buy festive food that is organic or free-range and stay away from products containing fur – there are plenty of alternatives. If you escape the UK remember to only visit animal friendly attractions.
With fur back in fashion, it’s ever more important that we celebrate successes for the anti-fur movement and remind ourselves and our friends why this acute cruelty will never be acceptable.
Rosie Marcel, actress and World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) supporter, will join the charity’s 2009 Bear Adventure.
Rosie Marcel, actress and World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) supporter, stars in a new film about the charity’s bear sanctuary in Romania.
WSPA is asking people to hold a Pet Party and give their dogs a treat during World Animal Week, 4-10th October.
Hollyoaks actress Claire Cooper is encouraging WSPA supporters to hold Pet Parties this autumn for World Animal Week.
WSPA will be holding a public talk for animal lovers interested in participating in one of WSPA’s overseas challenges in 2009.
Celebrity Chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has designed a cake recipe for people holding Pet Parties to raise money for WSPA in World Animal Week 2009.
In a historic breakthrough, the Dutch Parliament has voted for a ban on fur farming. And the Dutch are not the only ones who are taking significant steps on the way towards a fur free world …
Multi-award winning docu-drama ‘The Cove’ gets a UK-wide cinematic release on Friday 23rd October. The film exposes the brutal capture and slaughter of dolphins in Japanese ‘drive hunts’.
Two journalists were violently assaulted by seal hunters and arrested by police while documenting the controversial Namibian seal hunt yesterday morning.
Anna Pilsworth, 24, from Sneyd Park in Bristol is preparing to run though the streets of Bath dressed as a sheep. Will you take the challenge and run with her?
British singer Leona Lewis has named WSPA as one of her favourite charities and wants to build her knowledge of our work.
Top international singer Leona Lewis is backing the World Society for the Protection of Animals in a new campaign video launched today.
Luke Holdsworth, 27, from Bath has just signed up to run though Bath city centre dressed as a pig on Sunday 10th May, for WSPA's City Stampede fun run.
31 July 2009: An Asiatic black bear held illegally on a bear bile farm is on his way to a sanctuary today, thanks to a WSPA-funded microchipping and monitoring programme.
The Brazilian Ministry of Environment has backed a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare, moving Brazil towards recognising the importance of how we treat animals.
Secret footage smuggled out of Namibia reveals the brutal reality of the Namibian seal hunt.
Baited bears in Pakistan can’t be rescued until a new sanctuary is built. With around 70 bears still to be rescued from the cruel blood sport of bear baiting, WSPA urgently needs the support of animal lovers to raise £227,118 to pay for a new sanctuary to house rescued bears.
Norway’s 2010 whaling quota is their largest since choosing to defy the International Whaling Commission’s ban on commercial whaling.
Get sewing for WSPA and you can make a lasting difference for working horses and donkeys in need.
New stray dog control guidelines adopted by the World Organisation for Animal Health ask all 174 member states to use humane methods as a matter of urgency – good news for the world's estimated 400 million stray dogs.
WSPA’s emergency field team remain in Orissa State, working hard to provide emergency food, shelter and veterinary first aid to animals affected by the recent tornado.
Tim Minchin’s undeniably catchy anthem ‘Bear’s don’t dig on dancing’ has reached over 100,000 hits on YouTube.
The Handle with Care campaign has presented the EU Health Commissioner with over 150,000 signatures calling for the better enforcement of laws protecting animals transported within Europe.
See pictures from an exciting WSPA project which seeks to prevent dangerous conflict between people and elephants near the scenic Mkumi National Park.
WSPA supporters are being urged to tune into Channel 4 and More 4 for a fascinating insight into the pig farming industry across Europe.
A group of bonobos cared for by WSPA member society Les Amis des Bonobos have undertaken a remarkable journey. This is the first time that a sanctuary has attempted to reintroduce bonobos to the wild.
WSPA has received the sad news that Princess Elizabeth de Croy died on 18 May 2009. Princess Elizabeth worked tirelessly for animals all around the world for more than 40 years.
The Handle with Care coalition – which seeks to end the cruelty of long distance transport – is now a step closer to stopping live pig imports from the US mainland to Hawaii.
WSPA is proud to launch the City Stampede! Herds of people dressed as cows, pigs, donkeys and sheep will take to the streets of Bath on Sunday 10th May for Farm Animal welfare.
WSPA welcomes the International Whaling Commission’s decision to freeze a request by Greenland to kill 10 humpback whales.
Two 20 year old students from Bath Spa University have decided to run through Bath city centre dressed as cows on Sunday 10th May, to raise money for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).
Over 400 schools across the UK have contacted the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) to learn about our work with bears around the world through a new education pack just out.
Despite reports that bear dancing has been eradicated from India, work still needs to be done before we can celebrate. More bears still need rescuing. Join us in looking back over our journey and forward to a better future …
Egyptian authorities are undertaking an unacceptably cruel assault on the pig population in Cairo. WSPA has written a strong letter to the Prime Minister of Egypt, calling for an end to the mass cull. Learn how you too can take action.
On 22 June over 80 governments will meet to decide the future of the world’s whales. More than 25 years after the global ban on commercial whaling was passed, these intelligent mammals are in danger once more.
WSPA would like to thank the herds of farm animals that stampeded through the streets of Bath in the City Stampede on Sunday 10th May.
The Annual General Meeting of the World Society for the Protection of Animals will be held on 2 June 2009 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Chelsea Old Town Hall. All interested parties are welcome.
Three orphaned bear cubs have been released back into the wild after spending five months at Idaho Black Bear Rehab (IBBR)’s pioneering centre.
Footage taken by the Bioresource Research Centre has proven that bear baiting events are taking place in Punjab and resulted in corruption investigations.
WSPA and the world’s leading anti-whaling organisations condemn plans to allow hunts in Japanese coastal waters. We call for governments to oppose this deal, which could destroy the international commercial whaling ban.
There continue to be conflicting reports on the situation in Egypt regarding the culling of pigs. Many of our supporters have written in to ask us for an update.
WSPA congratulates the EU on closing 27 national markets to products made from commercially slaughtered seals. This historic vote proves that public pressure works.
WSPA and governments supporting a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare have hosted meetings at United Nations headquarters. Watch a video highlighting the vital link between animal welfare and sustainable development here.
Following some inaccurate media reports that WSPA has been critical of the RSPCA on the use of captive bolt guns, the RSPCA and WSPA wish to make the following statement.
Michael Baker has been appointed as WSPA's new Director General, taking over from Major General Peter Davies in the summer.
WSPA supporters now have the opportunity have to buy WSPA branded Christmas cards and gifts, including cards featuring bears from our Romanian bear sanctuary.
Major General Peter Davies CB has received the Eurogroup award for outstanding service to animal welfare.
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has recently become a friend of Operation Charm - part of the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime Unit.
On Tuesday 26 May, as Iceland’s whalers prepared start their annual whale hunt, WSPA joined forces with other whale welfare charities to protest outside the Icelandic Embassy in London, UK.
WSPA took part in a protest outside the Japanese Embassy to mark the 20,000 dolphins, porpoises and small whales killed annually by Japan.
Due to the recent postal strikes, WSPA has decided to extend the closing and draw dates for our 2009 raffle so if you haven’t taken part yet, it is not too late.
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is proud to announce the launch of a new community speakers’ scheme, called WSPA Talkers.
WSPA would like to say a huge thank you to all our runners who took part in the 2009 Flora London Marathon, raising much needed funds for animal welfare.
Illegal logging and fires set to clear land for palm oil production are destroying the orangutan’s rainforest habitat, writes The Independent. Read more to see how this affects the WSPA-funded orangutan sanctuary in Borneo.
Sunday 26th April saw Emmerdale actors Dominic Brunt and Mark Charnock host the second annual Zombie Film Festival in Leeds, in aid of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).
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