CREATING A WORLD OF
ANIMAL WELFARE Your generosity and commitment has enabled us to look ahead and consider the world’s ever changing political, social and economic landscape, and make some organisational changes that will enable WSPA to be a major global force taking action for animals for years to come.
Thanks to you: successes in 2011 Developing global policy… • Our international campaign to gain United Nations
recognition for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) continued to gain ground in 2011 – particularly in Latin America where we focussed on working with environmental and youth groups. The Costa Rican Scout Movement alone collected 300,000 signatures in support of a UDAW. By the end of the year 2.3 million people and 42 governments had signed up to the campaign; we plan to keep this momentum going through 2012.
• Your support has helped us put animal welfare A specialist team created in 2011 – External Affairs, Research and Learning – will be key to our success for animals. This global team ensures that all of our projects and campaigns are backed by credible scientific, educational and investigative expertise. This strong backbone will allow us to build the respected and effective relationships with governments and international organisations that we need to shape animal welfare policies worldwide and make huge changes to animals’ lives.
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firmly on the policy-makers’ agendas.
In New Zealand we advised the government on drafting their revised Animal Welfare Act, which we hope will include the concept of sentience – that animals can suffer and feel pain – for the first time. In the Middle East we were asked to make recommendations on draft animal welfare legislation for the Gulf Cooperation Council. If accepted, these recommendations will mean that animal welfare is protected through the national legislation of several influential countries, including Saudi Arabia.