Your gift will help these innocent creatures
In Greece two bears pace back and forth all day, bored senseless in their concrete pit. Their world is unchanging and entirely predictable. Yet like all bears they are inquisitive and opportunistic, adept at exploiting their varied natural habitat. In Ethiopia a lone hyena, whose life is a stark and barren cage, gnaws at a piece of putrid meat. Yet wild hyenas live in close-knit family groups, raising their young together and skilfully hunting their prey.
There is nothing more important to us at Born Free. Captivity and the welfare of zoo animals lie at the very heart of everything we do. This is why our charity first began and this is what inspires every member of our team to work with such passion. Zoo Check is our key project. Ending the exploitation of captive animals is Born Free’s core mission. We remain determined to end the captive suffering of animals in zoos.
“My husband Bill and I began to travel through Europe, to look at zoos in the mid 1980s. I cannot believe that nearly 30 years on we are seeing the same heartbreaking situations.” Virginia McKenna, Born Free Founder
With your help Born Free has pledged to speak out for the voiceless. We want to ensure every suffering zoo animal has a voice. We seek to expose neglect and cruelty. We challenge the multi-billion pound international zoo industry. But we can’t do it all alone. If you believe in what we do, please send your gift today.
- Their world is bleak and monotonous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A lone hyena pines in a barren cage
In Romania a solitary wolf stands on bare concrete in his heavily barred cage. Yet another social animal, forced to live alone. He and his pack would naturally patrol vast territories measured in hundreds of square miles. In Lithuania a magnificent tiger slumps on a wooden plank, his eyes dull and depressed.
Such images distress us all at Born Free. But the plight of these animals only serves to motivate us. Holding such animals in our hearts we turn again to our work, inspired afresh to take action and stop the suffering.But we aren’t trying to do it all on our own, we know there is strength in numbers.
This is why we work with other animal groups throughout the world to co-ordinate collaborative campaigns and target local issues. This is why we need your help. Please, don’t turn your back. These animals suffer all day, every day. It is simply
unacceptable. It is time for a change. If you agree with us, if you would like to do something to help them, please, send us your gift today. What an ideal and positive way to start the New Year.
Europe has some of the worst zoos in the world. We estimate there are at least 3,500 zoos keeping over five million animals, many in appalling, sickening conditions. It might seem overwhelming, but bit by bit we’re battling away to help them all. Our groundbreaking campaign, the EU Zoo Inquiry is the most extensive independent assessment of European zoos ever undertaken. With the help of our colleagues at ENDCAP*, hundreds of zoos in 20 EU countries have been painstakingly investigated.
Our survey has revealed shocking results and we have already published 15 out of a total of 23 planned reports (see www.euzooinquiry.eu). These reports expose scandalous deprivation and clearly detail how each country is failing to meet legal obligations to animal care, conservation and education, under the EU Zoos Directive. The evidence is overwhelming. Illegal zoos are just that - illegal.
Supported by the European Parliament, Born Free is now ensuring the European Commission takes action. Some of the worst zoos are closing. We are working with national governments to transform standards of animal care. We are helping train zoo vets and zoo inspectors.
This is a hugely ambitious project. We are determined to work a miracle in Europe. Help this work continue. We cannot forget the animals’ anguish.
YOUR GIFT WILL HELP THESE INNOCENT CREATURES
"We need your compassion more than ever before. This is a gruesome gallery of suffering. Every day thoughts of the animals’ torment and pain encourage me to keep going on to do everything I can to stop their distress, and to persuade others to join me. If you feel as I do, please send what you can. Thank you."
Virginia McKenna OBE
Founder & Trustee
Born Free Foundation
Appeal Target:
This appeal is urgent. Every donation you make will help Born Free investigate neglect, expose cruelty and stop suffering. Together we will make animals’ lives more tolerable and close slum zoos. Every single pound you give will be spent wisely, for the maximum benefit of the animals that need us.We urgently need funds to campaign for freedom and transform conditions. Your gift will help us lobby MEPs and other decision-makers, and push for solutions and stronger legislation. You will help us to rescue individuals from tiny cages and give them a life worth living. Now that really is a target worth aiming for!
- We cannot forget their anguish... Pledge your support, please send what you can
How you can help
Donate securely online by card or Paypal
Download a printable donation form
*The European Network to END the keeping of wild animals in CAPtivity, founded by Born Free; a coalition of 27 organisations representing 20 countries.
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