Help The Animals Before 2010 Ends

There are only five days left in 2010, but you still have time to do something incredible for animals.

In just a few days, many of us will gather together with family and friends to say goodbye to 2010, make resolutions, and share our hopes for the upcoming year.

For suffering animals around the world the last few days of 2010 will continue to be filled with fear, hunger and pain. But you can bring them hope. Your special year-end gift to WSPA can give them a new future - one that is free from cruelty and abuse.

What does hope look like for an animal in need?

• It's a warm, safe place to sleep for a stray dog who has spent every night of his life shivering and alone on the street.
  
  
• It's a strong pair of hands to provide care and comfort to a kitten who has been injured and separated from her family during a disaster.
  
  
• It's the cutting of a rope that has bound a dancing bear and the delicate removal of the nose ring from his sensitive muzzle.
  
  
• It's the end to excruciating pain as a donkey's hobbled leg is treated and bandaged, so that she is finally able to walk without limping.
  
  
  
  
• It's you: your compassion, generosity and kindness, which makes all of WSPA's work for animals possible.But there are still so many animals who are waiting for their happy endings. Please make your special year-end gift to bring hope to these animals.

  And remember, your gift to WSPA is fully tax-deductible, which means it’s also your last chance to claim a tax break for 2010. So please hurry and make your gift today!

  Thank you for your continued generosity and support of WSPA’s work for animals. Please see the link if you think you can help the animals and donate some thing before the year ends.
  https://www.wspadonations.org/pages/3611_year_end_appeal_12_10_version_g.cfm

Help in ending the mistreatment of Reindeers

A recent WSPA video investigation has revealed that one of the holiday's most popular symbols - the reindeer - is being subjected to immense suffering in large-scale round-ups and slaughter in Sweden and Finland.

Our video footage may appear particularly disturbing, especially at this time of year, but it is a stark portrayal of the gruesome reality of the commercial reindeer meat trade: herds of panicked reindeer are rounded up, dragged and shoved onto trucks bound for slaughter. Along the way, they face further suffering from mistreatment, starvation and disease. Finally, those who make it to the slaughterhouse struggle and kick as they are killed with knives.

This cruelty cannot be allowed to continue.

Traditionally, reindeer husbandry, the act of raising reindeer for meat and hides, has been carried out in Sweden and Finland on a small scale for purposes of sustainability, with minimum distress to the animals. However, over the past several decades, the process has become largely commercial and has dramatically altered the way these gentle animals are treated. Visuals from our investigation detail the reindeer's extreme suffering at every stage of the commercial process.

It is clear that transport and slaughterhouse operators are in violation of existing legislation in Sweden and Finland, which explicitly state that no undue distress, pain or suffering be caused to animals.

WSPA is calling for existing animal welfare laws in Sweden and Finland to be enforced, and we need your help: Please sign your name to our letter asking the Nordic Council of Ministers to uphold existing animal welfare laws to protect reindeer from this atrocious cruelty.

Thank you for taking action and for your compassion for animals.