[0:02]We're now back. Go, go, go, go!
[0:09]Our dream is a world where every animal lives free from suffering and cruelty. We are World Animal Protection, and we're fighting to make that dream a reality. This is the story of how we're moving the world to protect animals.
[0:26]Our journey began in the 1950s, when factory farming was on the rise and animal welfare regulations barely existed. Back then, we operated as the World Federation for the Protection of Animals and the International Society for the Protection of Animals. But we've changed a lot more than our name since then. During the '60s, our lobby helped set the first ever global standards for farm animal welfare, improving transport conditions. In 1964, ISPA animal officer, John Walsh, heroically helped rescue 10,000 animals from flood waters in Suriname. Since then, we've responded to over 250 disasters worldwide, protecting more than 8 million animals and helping 480 million more. When WFPA and ISPA joined forces in 1981 to become the World Society for the Protection of Animals, our global impact only grew. We established ourselves as powerful campaigners, using science and evidence to champion animals like never before, and made legal history by gaining consultative status at the United Nations. In 1983, our first shelter opened in Costa Rica, beginning a long legacy in wildlife rescues, rehabilitation and release. The 90s saw us ramp up our fight against the cruel fur industry, influencing fashion weeks worldwide to ban fur and exotic skins. Since opening our first Libertee sanctuary in 1992, we've helped give over 600 bears a new life. For more than 30 years, we've been campaigning to end cruel practices like bear baiting, dancing and bile farming, for good. Children in schools across Africa were inspired to care about animals through our All Africa Kindness Clubs, and we embedded animal welfare into veterinary school curriculums across the globe. In 2009, we made history by enabling the world's first release of captive bonobos back into the wild. Together with the UN, we held the first ever symposium on marine litter's impact on animals, laying the foundation for the Global Ghost Gear Initiative.
[2:42]In 2014, our name changed to World Animal Protection, but our determination to protect animals remained the same. 2016 marked the one millionth rabies vaccination given to dogs, protecting them, and countless people from the spread of this fatal disease. Our work to end the exploitation of wild animals for tourism, has supported various venues in Thailand to stop cruel elephant rides and become truly elephant-friendly. These are just a few milestones we've helped achieve in our proud history. Together with our incredible supporters, we're making real progress. The world has changed for animals, but not enough. Billions still suffer in broken systems, built on cruelty. With your support, we can move the world for animals and end animal cruelty and suffering. Forever. They need your help, and they need it now.
