A future without animal suffering?

SPANA’s vision is a future in which all animals are respected and well-cared for. Our free veterinary services are vital for the well-being of many injured and ill animals. But education is the key for changing beliefs and practices that cause unnecessary suffering. This will not only ensure happy, healthy animals, but also provide a better future for families that depend on them.

Our education programme in Morocco

Educating animal owners

SPANA vets talking to owners

Whenever our vets treat an animal, they take the time to speak to the owner about the causes of an illness or injury and explain ways to prevent future problems.

In some cases we even ask owners to clean the wounds or apply medicine to encourage a caring behaviour for their animal.

SPANA staff employed overseas are always local to the country, which means that they are well respected and are the best people to encourage owners to change their attitudes and behaviour.

Training vets

We train our vet teams with the highest standard of veterinary skills and provide ongoing professional instructions to improve their skills. We regularly invite veterinary specialists from the UK and Europe to lead seminars on a range of subjects from equine dentistry to foot care.

Educating children

In poor families, children are often responsible for feeding and tending animals. At our centres, we harness their enthusiasm for learning at an early age so they can spot signs of distress and know to turn to SPANA.

Our aim is to pass on only the best practice in animal care to the next generation.

We use storybooks to help children understand the importance of animals, which at the same time helps them learn to read. SPANA prints pamphlets for pupils to take home so that they can share the principles of good animal care with their family and friends. We also fund Animal Clubs which children can join to learn about animals in greater depth within a fun environment.

Educational resources are scare in the countries in which SPANA works, so our materials are always enthusiastically read, shared and studied.

In these ways, we can change a whole generation's attitudes. When they come to have families of their own, we hope they will pass on better standards of care to their children.

Working with authorities

We are constantly talking to authorities, politicians and the world at large about the vital role of animals in developing countries.

We also have a positive working-relationship with the governments and local agencies in the countries we work in, allowing us to work freely.

The five animal freedoms

Our goal is to replace existing harmful practices and deeply ingrained beliefs with a culture that embraces the five animal freedoms as standard of animal care.

1. Freedom of thirst, hunger and malnutrition – through ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
2. Freedom from discomfort – by providing a suitable  environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
3. Freedom from pain, injury and disease – by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
4. Freedom to express normal behaviour – by providing sufficient spance, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
5. Freedom from fear and distress – by ensuring conditions which avoid mental suffering.

More about:

• Old-fashioned traditions cause suffering
• Two Moroccan centres join education programme
• Watch the picture slideshow about SPANA’s core work
• How you can help

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