International Fund for Animal Welfare
Mission: "To improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial exploitation of wild animals, protect wildlife habitats and assisting animals in distres"
In China since: 1993
Annual China budget: $1,000,000
Number of staff: 6 national and 2 expatriate
Mainland China contact:
Grace Gabriel Room 705 Jintai Building, No.1 Xibahe South Road Beijing Chaoyang 100028 Tel: +86 (0)10 6464 3599, 6440 2960/61/62 Fax: +86 (0)10 6464 3522
Activities in Other Countries: Canada, USA, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Germany, Russia, India, Kenya, Australia, Southern African, European Union
Founded in 1969 to combat the commercial hunting of White Coat Seals in eastern Canada, the International Fund for Animal Welfare campaigns for the welfare of animals worldwide. It works with various government organisations, nature reserves and NGOs to protect wildlife habitats, increase awareness of international trade regulations and reduce the number of animals in cruel captivity.
IFAW’s work in China began with a campaign to draw attention to the suffering of Asiatic black bears -- or ‘moon bears’ -- who are farmed for their bile, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine. They also conducted research to find herbal alternatives for this medicine.
Since then, IFAW’s China programmes have expanded to cover a wide range of animal welfare and conservation issues throughout the country. These have included emergency relief for wild animal populations struck by natural disasters; a raptor rescue centre in Beijing for birds of prey who are injured or who are taken by the police from illegal traders, and shelter for abandoned pet animals.
A ‘Doctor Dog’ programme takes pet animals into orphanages, special schools, retirement homes and hospitals, in order to provide companionship and ‘animal therapy’.
IFAW also works to strengthen China’s efforts to halt illegal domestic and international trade in wild animals.
IFAW is funded entirely by donation from private individuals.
Links
http://www.ifaw.org
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