Welcome to the Review – Issue 27

2017 has been an unpredictable year. We have witnessed animal suffering and political upheaval, but also good progress for Naturewatch Foundation. Maintaining our core principles of developing sustainable and transparent campaigns, we strived to ensure that each kind donation is maximised to its full potential. The advancement of our campaigns has been heavily supported by the media and other key publications, which is a pleasing sign that our strong voice is being heard. Our achievements in 2017 were only made possible thanks to our amazing supporters, patrons, volunteers and trustees. We would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your enormous The Body Shop: contribution over the past year. Cruelty-free! While this report only provides a brief overview of the progress we have achieved for the animals in 2017, the impact of our work is far more wide reaching: The World Animal Day movement Our decade-long grows stronger every year; we continue to provide expertise in educating future generations and boycott comes policy makers to respect ; and our continued campaigning has assisted even more to an end. companies to develop ethical ways of working with in mind. Read more Through your support, we hope that you feel part of each Naturewatch Foundation success story on page 3 and you will continue to be a member of our community for years to come.

PC Claire Dinsdale, deputy lead for processes among partner organisations, Badger Persecution crime in Dorset: including police and other leading animal “It’s time badger baiters are put welfare charities. behind bars!” That was the crucial “Badger crimes can be some of the worst message behind our campaign to end cruelty cases police and other agencies deal badger baiting throughout 2017 as with. Badger persecution does happen in we delivered vital badger persecution Dorset, and it is important we equip our training to police forces across England officers with the latest training to catch and Wales. the perpetrators committing these callous offences.” A total of twelve police forces are now benefitting from our training course, Nick Willey, Lincolnshire Police Wildlife which well and truly exceeded our initial Crime Officer: target of five priority forces where badger crime is believed to be most prevalent. “I would like to pass on my thanks to Badger The huge demand for our course shows Trust, Naturewatch Foundation and the police are keen to fight badger crime farming community for the support given in and want to learn how to bring more providing the training. I have had nothing perpetrators before the courts. but positive feedback from the officers who Chris Packham attended. The investigation of badger crimes “Badgers are a natural treasure The one-day course covers: can be very complex and complicated that I have enjoyed studying, Badger ecology to enable police to but by working together with our partner photographing and filming over recognise unusual activity organisations we can ensure that we can go many years. I have learned that How to identify and prove that a badger some way to stamp out this barbaric and sett is active and whether it has been horrendous crime, and raise awareness of they are not only fascinating and disturbed wildlife crime in general. This training has engaging but also an essential How to best use legislation to protect ensured our Officers are better equipped to component of the UK’s ecosystems - badgers combat these issues.” our largest remaining land carnivore. How to work with key partner I therefore find it abhorrent that the organisations like Naturewatch Towards the end of 2017, we appointed our government and baiters continue to Foundation first Wildlife Crime Adviser, who has 13 years kill them. Badger baiting is perhaps experience fighting badger crime. We also the most violent and barbaric crime This is a joint project with the Badger Trust, became members of The Partnership for inflicted on our wildlife, which is and we are aiming for all remaining forces Action against Wildlife Crime UK, Wildlife why I support the Naturewatch to receive the training by the end of 2018. and Countryside Link and the Badger Persecution Delivery Group. We firmly Foundation campaign to end this Here are two of the many positive believe that partnership working is vital to horrific cruelty. Please join me in comments received about the police fight against badger crime, and we are now backing their great work to protect training: well-placed to influence decision making our badgers.”

Patrons: Rula Lenska Hayley Mills Chris Packham Pollyanna Pickering Anneka Svenska 49 Rodney Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1HX Tel : +44 (0)1242 252871 e-mail: [email protected] www.naturewatch.org Bringing hope to dogs at home and abroad MPs Urged to End Secrecy in Animal Experiments This year we shone a light on the party dealers, as Naturewatch Foundation dog available for adoption every day. Our Almost 4 million animals were used in from the caring and concerned British about animal experiments held by public middlemen in the puppy farming supporters joined us in writing to Lord wonderful celebrity supporters got in on scientific procedures in Great Britain public. The Government simply thinks you authorities such as inspection reports or industry. Third-party dealers, such as Gardiner, Defra Parliamentary Under- the fun too, nominating rescue dogs to in 2016. Amongst those animals were don’t have a right to know. details about animal treatment. pet shop owners and online retailers, Secretary, to urge for a full ban on third promote. Of the 24 dogs we promoted 3,530 dogs, 2,440 primates and 143 enable cruel breeding practices by party sales. Our campaign will continue during December, 20 have so far found cats. The vast majority of animals In March 2017 we published a damning Every single Member of Parliament building a wall between puppy farmers until every puppy farm and their dodgy homes. The other four, and thousands experimented on continue to be mice, report entitled Transparency and Animal received a copy of our report, and and unwitting customers. Banning dealers are out of business. more, are waiting for their perfect families zebrafish and rats. Experiments: A case for repealing section questions were rightly raised. But the third-party puppy sales would be the to find them. If you want to adopt a 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Home Office is still yet to repeal section single quickest and most effective way Adding to our rescue dog, we recommend visiting But numbers like these carry little meaning Act 1986, outlining the many delays and 24. Our work will continue until the to end puppy farming. track record www.dogsblog.com as a great place to to the public. Basic information such as missed opportunities for repealing section Government recognises your right to of tackling start. The DogsBlog team compile dog how the animals were kept, transported, 24 – the so-called ‘Secrecy Clause’. know what happens to the millions of In February, the Government issued international adoption listings for many small rescue bred, handled, fed, even the procedures animals experimented on in the UK, and their response to a review of animal animal welfare issues, in March we joined groups around the country into one carried out on them, is all kept hidden Section 24 blocks access to information this offensive legislation is updated. establishment licensing in England. Many the EU Dog & Cat Alliance. As members handy website. They make it easy for you positive legislative measures were pledged: of the Alliance we collaborate with like- to find your new best friend! selling puppies under eight weeks olds will minded organisations around Europe to soon be illegal; and online advertisements protect companion animals. Cruelty-free Shopping Update for pets will soon need to include the The popularity of our Compassionate Products Really Cruelty-free?, The response was overwhelming license number of the seller, improving Right now there are around 100,000 Shopping Guide continues to rise, with was very well received and and helped tremendously to raise traceability of breeders and accountability healthy dogs seeking homes in the UK. an ever-increasing number of people motivated many people to awareness of our compassionate of websites. We welcome these changes Every day, an average of 21 are put to using it as a bible for their everyday start thinking about their shopping campaign. wholeheartedly, but without a full ban on sleep because no one offered them a purchases. everyday purchases. third-party dealing we’re forced to question home. So in December we teamed up In 2017, we endorsed 12 new their commitment to ending unscrupulous with the fabulous folk behind DogsBlog Our campaigners featured as guest To make cruelty-free companies as genuinely cruelty-free dog breeding. and K9 Magazine to celebrate and speakers at the UK’s first vegan trade shopping even more and removed only one due to parent promote rescue dog adoptions in the show, ‘VegFestUK Trade’, providing expert accessible to consumers in company takeover. Regular updates That’s why we engaged your help in lead up to Christmas. Our advent calendar advice regarding policy and regulation 2017, we offered free copies are published on our website and drawing attention to the problem of third- ‘Dog a Day’ campaign shared a different surrounding . We also of our Compassionate social media channels but, if you do presented at the VegFest which Shopping Guide to not have internet access, we are more attracted a record-breaking 14,000 visitors. anyone wishing to start than happy to send updates through Brexit and GE2017: A Time for Action Our talk, Read Between the Labels - Are Your shopping cruelty-free. the post upon request. It’s undoubtable: 2017 was a year all eight of our policy asks; and again when animals’. In this report we jointly called on of intense political discourse in the Labour pledged to prohibit third party the Government to turn words into action, The Body Shop joins Compassionate Shopping Guide . With so many issues puppy sales – a massive achievement for and ensure animal welfare standards are This was the year we brought our In late 2017, The Body Shop was on the Government’s plate, we knew the anti-puppy farming movement! strengthened and improved post-Brexit. longstanding boycott against acquired by Brazil’s biggest cosmetics “We are absolutely delighted to have joining forces would be the best way The Body Shop to its happy conclusion. company, Natura. We immediately began The Body Shop, Aesop and Natura to maximise our impact and ensure Throughout 2017, Naturewatch Foundation Our commitment to helping animals investigating the new parent company’s join our list of cruelty-free brands animals were not forgotten. was one of over 40 charities to contribute to means we are also committed to having Many of our supporters will remember ethical declarations, reaching out to them in The Compassionate Shopping one of the most credible and collaborative the biggest impact possible. We are when The Body Shop was bought out by for information about their animal testing Guide. This brings our supporters When the snap General Election was animal welfare projects in UK history. As duly grateful to our alliance partners for L’Oréal in 2006. The cruelty-free stalwart’s policy. But, to our surprise, we were met full circle with our campaign, and called, we united with twenty other UK part of an alliance led by Wildlife and extending our reach to the most influential reputation plummeted overnight, as with silence. they can feel confident shopping at animal protection organisations in calling Countryside Link and the UK Centre for authorities so, together, we can ensure the shoppers realised their Body Shop The Body Shop once again.” for our future political leaders to use their , we released a new report UK lives up to its reputation as a leader in purchases would line the pockets of a Our instincts kicked in. Surely if Natura Caroline Ruane, power to protect animals. We issued a entitled ‘Brexit – getting the best deal for animal welfare. company profiting from, and contributing had a strong cruelty-free animal testing CEO of Naturewatch Foundation. joint statement to all parties, asking them to, animal testing. Never faltering in our policy they would be shouting it from the to enact ‘meaningful action to deliver on strict standards, we dropped The Body rooftops? Why were they not willing to Not only does this campaign success the UK’s desired identity as a world leader Shop from our Compassionate Shopping disclose their full policy? What were they ensure that animals will never be tested in animal welfare’. Guide and led peaceful rallies outside hiding? on for products made by these influential stores around the world. brands, but it lays a precedent for others Naturewatch Foundation then developed Over 700 Naturewatch Foundation to do the same. We look forward to seeing an eight-point plan on animal experiments supporters came to the rescue, using our the snowball effect Natura’s stance will and puppy farming and presented this digital campaigning platform to demand have in South America, as other beauty to party leaders. We would never tell you answers from Natura. It was only a matter brands look to them for inspiration. how to vote, but we do believe you have of days before they came to the table with a right to know where the parties stand us, and the end result is that Natura now It’s all thanks to compassionate shoppers on animal welfare so you can make an has a Fixed Cut-Off Date animal testing like you, people who choose to buy from informed decision. We trawled through policy: the gold standard of cruelty- genuinely cruelty-free brands, and to the manifesto after manifesto, identifying the free policies. Natura, and its subsidiary animal advocates who use their voice to weak from the strong, and compiled an brands, Aesop and The Body Shop, are speak out against those that would profit easy to read guide on key animal welfare We thought it would never be safe to shop now endorsed as cruelty-free in our from cruelty. Because of you we were policies. We were particularly pleased Sir David Amess MP and Jim Fitzpatrick MP at the launch of “Brexit: Getting the best deal for at The Body Shop ever again. Thankfully, Compassionate Shopping Guide… and able to reach this long-term goal in our when the agreed to animals” published by Wildlife and Countryside Link and the UK Centre for Animal Law. we were wrong. our boycott has come to an end. campaign to end animal testing. Thank you. Melitopol Animal Rescue - Ukraine Integrating Responsible Pet Ownership into Having heard about our work to successfully rescue and save stray Ukraine’s School Curriculum dogs in various cities across Ukraine, Our Academy of Humane Education is now online! additional, supporting educational material. These are all ongoing the Mayor of Melitopol contacted us projects that will continue throughout 2018. with a cry for help to introduce a new In 2017 we launched Ukraine’s first online training facility, programme that will reduce the city’s which offers a one-year training course on how to integrate stray dog population in a humane and animal welfare and ethics into lessons at school. Going sustainable manner. online means we can reach even more teachers and tutors across Ukraine; already thirty-one have begun the course. We were particularly excited about this project because we had to literally start Humane education is essential to help young people develop at ground level – there was no shelter, no In April, we visited the derelict building site restraints. The municipality has agreed to fundamental qualities such as responsibility, compassion and veterinary clinic, and only a small team to advise on the plans and construction release funds to complete the outstanding kindness, not only to animals but also people. Our online training that had been newly appointed to take on of the shelter and veterinary clinic. Since work in February 2018. course will help teachers encourage younger generations to this life-saving work. then, we have been monitoring the become responsible pet owners and grow up respecting all living build, and also provided training for the beings and the environment. It was our job to make sure their veterinarians to prepare them for high http://humedu.in.ua/ programme and enclosures would meet volume spaying and neutering. the welfare needs of the dogs soon to be Throughout 2017 we continued to work closely with Ukraine’s sheltered there. The shelter was due to open in late 2017, three education bodies in Lviv, Kyiv and Mikolaiv, which facilitate however, this was delayed due to budget the entire education system in Ukraine, to produce accredited Humane Education teacher training material for pre‑schools, primary schools and secondary schools. In Brody we also worked with the College for Primary School Teachers to develop

Once the construction is complete, we will conduct a week-long training course for Lutsk Animal Shelter - Laska all staff. We will also send funds, that you Thanks to the dedication of the Laska team, together with the training and huge range of equipment we provided over the course of generously donated, to purchase essential the last three years, 1194 dogs and 258 cats were rescued in 2017 and are now safe. life-saving veterinary equipment. 242 animals required veterinary treatment 958 were spayed or neutered And the best news of all, a total of 1224 dogs and 176 cats were rehomed. Here are photos of a handful of those lucky animals…

Spay/Neuter Clinic, Kharkov Natalia Vladimirovna fell head Sadly, they would have been 4000 over heels in love with Niusha after unwanted puppies that may have ended befriending her on the streets of up abandoned on Kharkov’s streets, or Kharkov. When she learnt Niusha was worse. homeless, Natalia decided to take her home. The love between them is Since 2012, your generous donations unmistakable! As a pensioner, Natalia have meant that we have spayed or couldn’t afford to have her beloved neutered 1220 dogs in Kharkov, which Niusha spayed, but thanks to your means they will no longer contribute to donations, she and many other low- the city’s stray dog population. income dog owners are able to enjoy the companionship of a dog without A huge £10,428 has paid for this free having to worry about puppies. service to low-income dog owners so far, and we plan to continue to support this It is impossible to accurately calculate vital project throughout 2018 to help the offspring of 1220 dogs, but it would more owners like Natalia and their dogs. easily be in excess of 4000 puppies. Something amazing happened for animals Hundreds of events were held to plant seeds of compassion in the hearts of the younger generation – Like casting a pebble into a pond, every single event that’s they are our main hope for a brighter future for animals. held to celebrate World Animal Day on October 4 helps raise Serbia – A children’s art competition country’s many animal welfare issues. the status of animals. and concert took place, and an award Spain - Three days of fun-filled ceremony was held to recognise the In 2017, World Animal Day trended on social media in 25 educational activities for school children contribution of individuals to improving were dedicated to celebrating animals. countries and, along with hundreds of media articles, successfully highlighted the animal welfare. plight of animals around the globe. A vital catalyst for change! South Africa - Lionsrock Big Cat Lithuania - A class discussion Sanctuary shared a fun day of Celebrities such as Rohit Sharma, Ricky Gervais, Kristin Davis, Cesar Milan, Jane highlighted how important it is to be a educational activities with 50 children. Goodall, Simon Cowell, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Bill Bailey, to responsible animal carer. Turkey - School children had great fun name but a few, came out in force to speak up for animals. Ivory Coast – A children’s drawing making little houses for stray cats in contest raised awareness of the www.worldanimalday.org.uk/events is proud to showcase some of the hundreds their neighbourhood. of inspiring events that took place in 2017 to celebrate this special day. Here is just a snapshot…

Countless radio and TV interviews were conducted which helped raise awareness on a massive scale. Sumatra - A street campaign caught the attention of a nationwide radio show. Malawi – The World Animal Day Ambassador appeared on national TV to discuss animal health issues Liberia – A massive celebration brought together over 2,000 India – JBF Society held two, free anti-rabies vaccination and pet and highlight the objectives of children, animal carers, stakeholders and community leaders to raise health check clinics. World Animal Day. awareness about the plight of the country’s animals. USA – This special day featured in a television talk show ‘A close-up look at animal welfare issues’. Sowing seeds of compassion in Kurdistan In 2016, the World Animal Day Grant was and follow-up visits are being conducted. properly. The team are also raising public The Gambia – A series of events, attended Bolivia – Every year in Cochabamba a awarded to the ‘Kurdistan Organisation awareness on the importance of the role by government depts., stakeholders, wonderful mass is held to remind people for Protection’ (KOARP) to The second phase focused on improving of wild animals in protecting the country’s animal welfare orgs., students and children, of their obligation to care for animals. help address the poor welfare standards the treatment of animals in markets and ecological balance. demonstrated a real understanding of local Hundreds of blessing services like this one of the region’s animals. pet shops. Many people in Kurdistan animal welfare issues. take place around the globe. make a living by trading in domestic and Seminars, workshops and informal training In Kurdistan, the concept of animal welfare wild animals and birds. Wild animals such sessions were held reaching more than Egypt - 120 VIPs attended a conference Kurdistan, Iraq - KOARP (winners of the is in its infancy – with no laws in place as young wolves, bears, foxes, squirrels, 1,000 people who trade in animals, with at the Greater Cairo Library with well- 2016 World Animal Day Grant) followed up to protect , pets or wild animals turtles, vultures, falcons and partridges are follow-up interventions planned. A further respected guests speaking up for the training carried out earlier in the year, held from harm, and knowledge of how to treat hunted, and then either directly traded 1,000 people were reached via leaflets, country’s animals. a seminar, and gained media attention for animals humanely almost non-existent. in markets and pet shops or bred from in books and banners. the regions animal welfare issues. You can read more about why the project captivity with their young being sold. Syria - The Ministry of Education agreed to was needed on our website. A further seminar was held with add images and information about Syrian UK - a whole host of events took place government and council decision makers wild animals to biology text books. including, school events, family fun days, Colombia - Many cities around the globe The broad-ranging education program, to begin the lobbying process towards and a vigil at to organise marches to draw attention to led by Dr Sulaiman Saeed, commenced the development of animal protection Indonesia - An online campaign remember the animals that have suffered animal welfare issues. This one was held in early 2017 and reached thousands legislation. The entire programme focused upon why it’s important to be a behind the closed doors of this testing in Medellín calling for the government to of people who make their living from attracted media attention from television, responsible pet guardian. laboratory. ban . working with animals. To the best of our radio, newspapers and magazines. knowledge, this was the first time that such a programme has been implemented Naturewatch Foundation is proud to have This powerful movement is growing each year and helping to make the world a better in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. helped KOARP sow these first seeds of place for animals - a world where they are always recognised as sentient beings and full compassion. We are confident that Dr regard is always paid to their welfare. The first phase focused on addressing the Sulaiman and his team will continue to We encourage everyone who reads this to get involved in 2018 and help raise the status barbaric treatment of animals in abattoirs Although the KOARP team are committed make significant and sustained progress in of animals. Each one of us can make a difference – together we make change happen! within Duhok province where a series of to ending the and trading of improving the lives of Kurdistan’s animals. seminars and practical workshops were wild animals, it’s not going to happen www.WorldAnimalDay.org.uk held to improve the knowledge and raise overnight. In the meantime they need We cannot change the past but we can The World Animal Day movement is proudly co-ordinated by Naturewatch Foundation. the skills of the workers. Further training to ensure the animals are cared for help influence the future! Building a new future in the wild for rescued sun bears The poaching of baby sun bears on the All confiscated cubs will be taken to island of Sumatra, Indonesia, is heading the new facility, just a few miles from the species towards crisis point. the harbour, where they will be given a thorough health check. The length of time Ruthless poachers snare the mothers and the cubs spend in the forest enclosures then smuggle their young cubs by sea to will depend upon their age, but they Java, Indonesia’s main island, where they will be released back to the wild as soon are traded as pets. as they are old enough to take care of themselves. Currently, most of the bears that are lucky enough to be confiscated from wildlife Unfortunately, the commencement of traders and debilitating small cages in building work has been delayed until early homes, don’t have a bright future. They 2018 due to JAAN being involved with can only look forward to spending the helping animals caught up in the Mount rest of their lives in enclosures at rescue Agung volcano emergency on the island centres, zoos and sanctuaries, as there of Bali. are no facilities that offer a rehabilitation But with the support of our fantastic programme. supporters, we will rehabilitate rescued sun bears and release them back to the wilds of the Sumatran rainforest where they belong.

Naturewatch Foundation is funding the building of two forest rehabilitation enclosures for baby sun bears, which will enable the collaboration between the Jakarta Network (JAAN), our project partner, and the authorities to be taken to the next level. Teams will We are all very excited about this work 24hrs a day and do their very best project and look forward to bringing to ensure that not one sun bear leaves its you stories about some of the sun bear homeland of Sumatra. cubs that are rescued.

Leaving a Legacy Important information for inclusion in your will: Leaving a gift in your will is an Charity Name: Naturewatch Foundation opportunity for you to continue Registered Charity Number: 1039679 supporting our work to end animal Address: 49 Rodney Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1HX cruelty long into the future.

Previous gifts have helped fund much- to continue our work. All income is used you to write your own will, it’s best to needed veterinary equipment, vital animal to pursue the goals of the charity. We take professional advice to ensure the welfare training and other essential items direct our funds responsibly, keep our document is correctly worded. Many that we might not otherwise have been administration costs to a minimum, design solicitors offer a set price for drawing up able to provide. our own campaign literature and have no standard wills. expensive overheads. We do not receive government or Thank you in advance for considering corporate funding and so rely entirely Although standard will-making Naturewatch Foundation as a beneficiary. upon the generosity of our supporters documents are available allowing

And finally…We want to thank you for helping us achieve a great deal for animals in 2017. We are a genuine and transparent team and, if you would like to find out more, we welcome the opportunity to connect with you and provide you with comprehensive coverage regarding our work.

Warm regards The Naturewatch Foundation Team

Patrons: Rula Lenska Hayley Mills Chris Packham Pollyanna Pickering Anneka Svenska Wendy Turner Webster 49 Rodney Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1HX Tel : +44 (0)1242 252871 e-mail: [email protected] www.naturewatch.org