Our history
With our supporters, we’ve been moving the world to protect animals for over 70 years.
A history of global action
Since we began in 1950, we’ve made huge strides in our mission to protect animals.
With our incredible supporters, we’ve woken the world up to the cruelty billions of animals face. From factory farms to theme parks, pet shops to disaster zones, we’ve saved lives and improved the way animals are treated.
As we’ve grown, so has our influence. We have a voice at the UN, we’re listened to by governments and corporations, and we’ve inspired millions of people around the world to take action.
The more people who join us, the more we can achieve for animals. Will you sign up now to help end needless animal suffering?
Key dates
1950 – The World Federation for the Protection of Animals (WFPA) is formed
1959 – The International Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPA) is formed
1981 – WFPA and ISPA merge to become WSPA – the World Society for the Protection of Animals
2014 – We become World Animal Protection
Major campaigns
Our campaigns span the globe. From ending bear dancing in Turkey, India, and Greece to calling out KFC's welfare policies with a 500,000-signature petition, our efforts are making waves. We've slashed bear baiting events in Pakistan, launched the Global Ghost Gear Initiative to combat fishing waste, and protected dogs' lives in communities.
Read more on our achievements here
A crucial fight ahead
Right now, our work to protect animals couldn’t be more urgent.
People are trading, abusing and killing animals on a horrifying scale, and our natural world is under threat like never before.
We’re tackling the root causes of animal suffering by taking on the global systems that fuel animal abuse. We have two key goals:
1. Giving farmed animals good lives by transforming our global food system
2. Stopping wild animals being cruelly exploited and treated as commodities
We can change the way the world works for animals. But it’ll take millions of us standing up and speaking out – and we can’t afford to wait.
Are you in? We have a bold and ambitious strategy, and together we can win.
