World Animal staff walking into Expedia office

About World Animal Protection

Every animal deserves a life free from suffering. That belief drives everything we do.

We are a global organisation working to end animal cruelty and create lasting change. From challenging factory farming to keeping wild animals where they belong, in the wild, we are moving the world to protect animals.

Together, we’re fighting to:

Make animal protection a priority around the world

We work with governments, businesses and global bodies to put animals on the agenda and ensure they’re recognised as sentient beings who deserve protection.

Change mindsets to stop animals being treated as commodities

Through campaigns and investigations, we challenge cruelty and inspire compassion so animals are seen as individuals, not products.

Show how the wellbeing of animals, people and the planet are all connected

Protecting animals also protects our planet. When animals thrive, ecosystems are stronger and communities are healthier.

Why we exist

We are in the midst of an unprecedented animal welfare crisis. Every year, 1.6 trillion wild animals and 80 billion farm animals suffer on an unimaginable scale and these industries also drive climate change, environmental destruction, and public health risks.

Cruelty on an industrial scale

Animals in factory farms are raised and slaughtered in cramped, filthy conditions, and subjected to horrific treatment. Factory-farmed pigs and chickens are kept in tiny cages, trapped in their own waste. The scale is staggering: around 80 billion farm animals suffer or are killed each year.

Wildlife exploitation

Wild animals are killed, traded, or confined for products, medicine, fashion, or entertainment. Elephants, dolphins and big cats are taken from their mothers and forced to perform for tourists. Mink, chinchillas and raccoon dogs are slaughtered for their fur. The impact goes beyond animals — these industries drive climate change, environmental destruction, and public health risks. At least 1.6 trillion wild animals are affected annually.

It’s not only animals that suffer. The companies that sell and abuse them harm humans too, driving climate change, environmental destruction and public health emergencies.

Together with our supporters, we moved the world to protect animals in 2024.

In 2024, with offices in 12 countries and an international team reaching over 47 countries, we took on some of the world’s most powerful forces driving animal cruelty. From confronting factory farming at the UN to demanding accountability from corporate giants like JBS and TUI, we worked globally to protect animals.

2024 - the year you made a difference for animals

Our impact

Around the world, our work gives millions of animals better lives.

By campaigning to end animal abuse and exploitation, and fighting for higher welfare standards, we’re showing the world there’s another way.

We push for change at every level, from warning governments about the horrifying impact of fishing waste on ocean animals, to helping tourists plan elephant-friendly holidays.

In the last few years, our community has achieved incredible things, including:

Persuading Expedia to stop promoting whale and dolphin shows
The last reptile market held at Doncaster Racecourse, marking the end of a two-year campaign
Signing up Nando’s and KFC to higher chicken welfare standards

In the decade ahead, we have even bigger plans. By protecting animals and their habitats, we’ve got a vital role to play in solving the climate crisis, safeguarding our environment and preventing a public health disaster.