SPANA raises awareness of vital role of animal welfare in developing countries worldwide

London, UK, 13th July 2004 - SPANA, the Society for the Protection of ANimals Abroad, is holding an exhibition from the 12th to the 16th July in the Houses of Parliament to raise awareness of its work around the world amongst MPs, the political community and the thousands of people who visit the Houses of Parliament every day.

Jeremy Hulme, Chief Executive SPANA, Tony Banks MP and Lady Slynn, SPANA trustee attend the opening of SPANA's exhibition at the House of Commons

SPANA's exhibition is situated in the Upper Waiting Hall of Committee Corridor and is being sponsored and opened by Tony Banks MP, a well known animal welfare activist. It displays SPANA's work in Morocco, Mali, Mauritania, Tunisia, Algeria, Ethiopia, Jordan, Iraq and Syria and highlights the crucial role that SPANA plays in local economies by caring for working animals and educating the local population in the treatment of them.

Tony Banks said, "This exhibition really highlights the fantastic work that SPANA has undertaken over the past 80 years to care for working animals in some of the world's poorest and most troubled countries. We can all see for ourselves just how much SPANA contributes to local communities, and helps the day to day lives of people and their animals. The exhibition draws attention to SPANA's vital education work which is teaching a new generation of children across the world the importance of good animal welfare, and also demonstrates how SPANA has responded to the difficult situation in post-conflict Iraq in order to ease the suffering of animals affected by fighting, and to contribute to the rebirth of the county. I hope all that visit this exhibition will enjoy it as much as I have."

SPANA's mission is "to improve standards of animal care wherever the need arises" and the charity works amongst some of the poorest people of North and West Africa and the Middle East where people depend on their animals for transport and survival. SPANA's core activities comprise; Veterinary Care, Emergency Response and Education:

Veterinary Care - using local vets SPANA operates 18 veterinary centres and 20 mobile clinics which currently treat over 300,000 animals each year. The charity has bases in Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Mali, Syria, Mauritania, Algeria and Ethiopia.

Emergency Response - SPANA has worked in the crisis torn regions of Iraq, Kosovo and Zimbabwe. The Charity has already been recognised by Parliament for its campaign to provide veterinary aid for working animals in post-conflict Iraq, providing feed, vaccines and drugs to treat over 130,000 animals. SPANA's work in Iraq complements the humanitarian aid effort by providing free veterinary care for the working animals that underpin Iraq's rural economy - animals which have the potential to help re-build its economy. SPANA was also one of the first NGO's to provide help following the devastating earthquake in Morocco earlier this year.

Education - Education has been an integral part of SPANA's veterinary programme since it started in 1923. For decades owners of the animals being treated in the souks were the sole beneficiaries. More recently, SPANA has sought the support of Education Authorities in its host countries and lesson plans and materials are now distributed to schools nationwide. Mini resource centres are being created in each of SPANA's refuges, to assist local teachers and to encourage youngsters to visit and see the animals being treated.

If you would like more information about SPANA and its work, or wish to make a donation, please contact us at the following address:

SPANA (The Society for the Protection of ANimals Abroad)

14 John Street

London

WC1N 2EB

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