People can affect animals worldwide in positive and negative ways which we have demonstrated in 2017 on a number of occasions. Right now, let’s focus on some of the good things we have done. To end this year on a positive note and with a calmer conscience, let’s look at some of the amazing things we have done for animals in 2017.
They will live
- Giant Panda and Manatee (Sea cow) are no longer endangered species.
- Tiger count finally started increasing instead of decreasing.
We discovered 115 new species in Greater Mekong.
- Germany, Czech Republic and Croatia ban fur farms.
- India banned import of fur and reptile skins.
- China announced to stop ivory trade.
Fashion & Animal Testing
- Michael Kors and Gucci announced going fur-free in 2018 due to protests of the public.
- The Fur Free Retailer programme hit over 800 brands.
- China continues research on alternatives to animal testing and signed a memorandum to increase the use of animal free testing methods.
- American NIH (National Institute of Health) announced to end great apes research and release their chimpanzees.
- Australia confirms ban of animal testing coming into force at the end of 2018.
Food and Farming
- EU agriculture committee votes for new organic regulations. A step in the right direction. Read more here.
- Nestle announced to go cage free by 2020 in EU and US and by 2025 in the rest of the world.
- Tesco stops selling cage farmed eggs in Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia due to customers demand.
- Taiwan bans the slaughter and consumption of cats and dogs. Pulling them alongside moving vehicle is now also banned.
In the last decade, veganism in UK has increased by 360%
Capture and protection
- Ringling Brothers Travel Circus shut down in May. Started in 1860. 36 years of protests.
- Due to Tilikum’s death, sea world announced to stop the orca breeding program.
- UK plans to make CCTV mandatory in all slaughterhouses.
- New Ross Sea marine reserve in Antarctica protects 1.5 million sq km.
- EPA (Expedition Providers Associations) stops sale of tickets to wild animal attractions.
Media in action
- Instagram introduced warnings to hashtags with wild animal selfies.
- Facebook bans sale of animals on the marketplace. Such posts can be reported and will be deleted. The aim is to fight puppy mills.
- 2 movies supporting veganism (What the Health) and animal welfare (Okja) changed people’s views on animal agriculture and health worldwide.
We reacted quickly
- We rescued 38 000 animals after hurricane Irma.
- British Government will recognize animal sentience after Brexit – thanks to quick response of the public.
- ~800 rabbits and mice were saved from being victims of the new cosmetics ingredient test requested by EU.
Banning cruel activities wouldn’t happen without millions of people participating in protests, signing petitions, spreading the message and raising their voice. The above examples prove how important YOUR voice is.
We can make change for animals, individually and collectively.
Let’s stay on our toes to keep on helping animals next year and onward. They won’t need our help any less than in 2017.
Start helping animals right now by fighting animal abuse, avoiding animal testing or supporting endangered species.
Milena x
