Who are the WSPA?
ike many people, I have been reading countless articles regarding the devastating earthquakes in Japan… one in particular caught my eye as it mentioned a group that was doing wonderful work rescuing animals.
This group is called the WSPA, and I had my students do some research to find out a little more about them. The results of their research is presented here, separated into 7 parts: “Who They Are”, “Main Objective”, “Where They Are”, “Main Activities”, “Recent Projects”, “Any Controversial Activities?” and “Others”.
They do amazing work around the world, helping animals through legislative changes… this method is highly effective, influential and respectable.
Do take a look at their profile below and tell me what you think about them.
Tsem Rinpoche
1. Who They Are
The WSPA or the World Society for the Protection of Animals are a non-profit animal welfare organization. The WSPA was founded in 1981, resulting from the merger of 2 animal welfare organizations – the World Federation for the Protection of Animals (WFPA) and the International Society for the Protection of Animals (ISPA).
2. Main Objective
They state on their website that their main objective is: to build a global animal welfare movement.
3. Where They Are
Their main office is in London. They also have offices in 13 different countries around the world: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Tanzania, Thailand, United States and United Kingdom.
They also have 900 member organizations (or member societies) in over 150 countries.
A Member Society is an independent animal welfare organization that is a part of WSPA’s global network. The WSPA Member Society Network is the largest international alliance of animal welfare organizations in the world.
The member societies in Malaysia are: Ipoh SPCA, SPCA Sarawak (SSPCA) and SPCA Selangor.
The high number of member societies that they have seems to tie in with their main objective. With a coordinated number of “bases” throughout the world, they can get to disasters fast, attend to emergency cases and affect global change.
These societies can be anything from large national organizations to small specialist groups. They all work on animal welfare issues, but under different areas of influence.
On the WSPA website, it says:
“In all aspects of its work, WSPA aims to collaborate with and support animal welfare groups through the WSPA Member Society Network. WSPA believes that the Network is an international force that governments and decision makers cannot fail to listen to, and this is helping to create a momentum of positive change for animals worldwide.”
~ FAQ section http://www.wspa-usa.org/aboutus/FAQ/default.aspx.
4. Main Activities
WSPA’s animal welfare programs include a mix of direct fieldwork, campaigning, education and training, and member society development. Their work around the world focuses primarily on the following issues:
1. Companion Animals
- Stray Control
- Working horses and donkeys
- Veterinary clinics
2. Commercial Exploitation of Wildlife
- Bear Bile Farming (Asia)
- Bear Baiting (Pakistan)
- Bear Dancing (India and Pakistan)
- Commercial Whaling
- Dolphins in entertainment
3. Emergency Disaster Relief
4. Farm Animal Welfare
5. Education
- Concepts in Animal Welfare – for veterinary students
- International Animal Welfare Education
- Pet Respect
6. Legislation
- The Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare
Source: http://www.wspa-international.org/wspaswork/default.aspx
5. Recent Projects
Their main recent activities include:
- The rescue of 3 bears in Pakistan who were used for bear-baiting. WSPA had opened a bear sanctuary in Pakistan in 2010.
- The withdrawal of plans to farm 8,100 cows intensively in England. WSPA UK launched its “Not in my Cuppa” campaign a year ago against the proposed changes in the direction of British dairy farming. These plans were withdrawn on Wednesday 16 February:. They have a video for Not-in-my-Cuppa too.
Here is a video on WSPA’s 2010 achievements. It’s a very good video, and it covers the main works that achievements for last year. This includes works in Haiti, Pakistan, South Korea etc.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/WSPA-2010-Achievements-in-Animal-Welfare.mp4
6. Any controversial activities?
We have not found any controversial WSPA activities on the Internet. What we did find was something that was written on a forum, and we think that it sums up WSPA quite well:
They look like “PETA for reasonable people.” I might argue with some of what they say, but not on the grounds of inconsistency between their mission statement, their policies, and their “Subject Specific Policies.” They do not advocate violence, rather legislation and litigation. These are legitimate means of pursuing their goals.
Overall, as an environmentalist who is aware of the needs of science and medicine, but also aware of cruelty, I would say that they look pretty good to me. They look especially good compared to PETA, which not only engages in violence, but has been shown to have members who have serious ethical problems.
Source: http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=75247
7. Others
- They have consultative status at the United Nations and the Council of Europe. As an example, WSPA have written scientific reports on issues which were used in WHO conferences in Mexico.
- They do protests on dolphin slaughters and Icelandic whaling, but so far its peaceful.
- One of their spokespersons is Leona Lewis, a British celebrity with a good reputation.
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It is very touching when organizations are set up solely for the benefit of animals. I salute the World Federation for the Protection of Animals (WFPA) for creating a movement on a global scale to protect and care for animals whilst educating humans on human.
This organization is around the globe and their mission is to build a global animal welfare movement.They are really doing a fantastic work.Thank you very much for sharing this article with us.
Have heard of this group is called the WSPA, non-profit animal welfare organization before but did not much of it till I read this article. Amazing…what they did, its seem they have been helping animals by looking to their welfare as well., Their vision is a world where animal welfare matters and animal cruelty. They do amazing work around the world,…….and are creating awareness to everyone and every where in every countries. They helped to repair and installed equipment and launched campaign on disasters preparedness , providing aids to those in the disaster area, to stop bears hunting in South Korea and so forth. Love what they did to help those animals been suffered in the hands of entertainments exploitation .
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the marvellous work of the WSPA. Thank you WSPA…….well done keep it up. May those animals free from sufferings.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. What the WSPA is doing for the animals is more than words can say. This organization is around the globe and their mission is to build a global animal welfare movement. From what I have read in this article, they are doing a good job to help, rescue and care for the animals where nobody will do. I wish them good luck and success in rescuing animals from being harm.
With folded palms,
Vivian
一个非盈利机构，能够做的那么多，而且还被许多国家或地方认同，原因只有一个！就是他们都都在做着有意义且利益众生的工作。
I am so glad to know that WSPA have been saving animals around the world, can’t believe I have not heard of them before until now. I really like what they are doing, they are sure of what they are doing and just go all the way with it. I am very happy that they are defending and saving beings who cannot talk.
Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
Love, beatrix.
Thanks WSPA for saving so many lifes, and thanks Rinpoche for the sharing to let us know more about WSPA.
May WSPA can always grow to benefit more sentient beings.
I am glad to know of WSPA and all the great work that they are doing. Hope more people become more aware of the plight of animals around the world.
I’ve never heard of WSPA. It looks like they are doing great work rescuing animals and promoting animal welfare without being political and thus creating more problems to our communities and diverting the focus to the cause. We need more non profit organisations like them to create a mass consciousness especially in Asia and to actually save animals.
Through more collaborations with other less established animal welfare organisations in Asia, the exchange of knowledge will result in saving more animals.
i’m glad to know and learn about WSPA and its activities which many animals will be safe and protect by them. Now a day people realize and focus about this more which is refer to their selflessness.
i wish people who abandon and hurt animal will realize in their harmful action and stop doing it which is the real cause of the problem..
I have not heard of the WSPA before this, but having read this article, I really like what I see. The standard of animal welfare in the west is quite good, but in the east, it is barely acceptable. A global animal welfare movement, like what the WSPA is trying to accomplish would greatly help in countries where animals are seen as being placed on this earth for humans to use, and without any rights of their own. I hope WSPA is able to change the situation, so that I no longer have to see or hear of government agencies putting strays to death in inhumane ways, or abominable pet care being accepted as the norm.
People who genuinely care about animals from their heart, and not on a face value, reflect a kind, compassionate, caring and loving soul for many people do not give any respect to animals. It is therefore rare to find a person who truly cares of animals and their rights, because like us, animals are living beings too – they breathe, they feel, they cry, they talk, they have families, they have consciousness. The only difference is the physical appearances, and the language.
It is very touching when organisations are set up solely for the benefit of animals. I salute the World Federation for the Protection of Animals (WFPA) for creating a movement on a global scale to protect, save, listen and care for animals whilst educating humans on humane and ethicals ways of treating animals. May Kechara Animal Sanctuary cause a wave of movement in Malaysia when it manifests and may it also be one of WSPA’s member organizations.
Dear Rinpoche,
This is the first time I’ve heard of WSPA. I must say, I really like what I’m seeing. Personally, I agree with PETA’s causes. After watching the videos you share with us I even sympathize with some of their extreme methods of protest. It’s very hard for some us to see our fellow Earthlings suffer so greatly and not want to charge to the rescue without a second thought. Unfortunately the extreme behavior has also turned some people against the cause of animal rights. With their level headed approach to activism, the WSPA may even be able to get some of the pessimistic naysayers to change their turn and “fight the good fight”, so to speak, with the rest of us! Thanks for sharing. I’ll return the favor and post a link on my FB page.
Sincerely,
Jessi