Animal Defenders International

About

This international animal welfare organization operates globally to address various forms of animal suffering through rescue operations, legislative advocacy, and public education campaigns. Based in London, the organization focuses on ending the use of animals in entertainment, particularly circus animals, while also working on issues related to laboratory animals, wildlife trafficking, and other forms of animal exploitation. Their work spans multiple continents, with notable rescue missions in South America, Europe, and other regions. The organization maintains a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa that serves as a permanent home for rescued lions, tigers, and other animals recovered from abusive situations worldwide. This facility houses animals previously used in circuses, confiscated from wildlife traffickers, or seized in cruelty cases, providing them with large, naturalistic enclosures. The sanctuary regularly shares live broadcasts on social media, allowing supporters to observe the rescued animals in their new environment and learn about their individual rescue stories. Through investigative work and documentation, the organization exposes conditions in various industries that use animals, including fur farms, entertainment venues, and research facilities. They provide consultation services to governments worldwide, helping draft animal protection legislation and regulations, with successful campaigns resulting in circus bans in numerous countries. Their approach combines direct animal rescue with systematic policy change efforts aimed at preventing future animal suffering.