FINALIST 2024
SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) has been the charity for the working animals of the world since 1923, improving the lives of horses, donkeys, mules, elephants and camels in need. The charity supports the welfare of working animals by providing vital veterinary treatment, training owners in animal care and teaching children about animal welfare - all to transform the lives of working animals. Last year, SPANA provided lifesaving care to more than 306,000 sick and injured animals in 23 low-income countries across the world.
Our film, International Working Animal Day 2023, was launched to raise awareness about the increasing harm plastic pollution is creating for working animals.
Accidental plastic ingestion is a growing problem across many of the countries where SPANA works. Long periods of drought mean fewer crops grow and rising feed costs mean many owners simply cannot afford to feed their animals. Desperately hungry, these hardworking animals are often left to scavenge through bins and litter-strewn marketplaces looking for scraps to eat. In doing so, they unwittingly eat plastic which can get lodged in their intestines and lead to painful colic or a fatal gut ruptures.
SPANA provides lifesaving treatment and care to working animals who have become seriously ill after accidentally eating plastic. The charity is also working with local communities to tackle the growing problem of plastic pollution, in line with SPANA's vision to create a world where animals, people and the environment are respected and thrive.
SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) has been the charity for the working animals of the world since 1923, improving the lives of horses, donkeys, mules, elephants and camels in need. The charity supports the welfare of working animals by providing vital veterinary treatment, training owners in animal care and teaching children about animal welfare - all to transform the lives of working animals. Last year, SPANA provided lifesaving care to more than 306,000 sick and injured animals in 23 low-income countries across the world.
SPANA was established in 1923 and has now helped generations of working animals. The charity marked its centenary in 2023 with a commitment to reaching more working animals than ever before in its history.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
