Latest news with #FOURPAWS
The Citizen
a day ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Calls to integrate animal welfare into South Africa's One Health policy
Calls to integrate animal welfare into South Africa's One Health policy Urgent calls to recognise animal welfare as central to South Africa's development were made during the 2025 State of Animal Welfare Address (#SOAWA). The online symposium was hosted by FOUR PAWS South Africa and livestreamed on Wednesday. The annual event brings together government, academic and civil society leaders to discuss the role of animal welfare in building a just, resilient and sustainable South Africa. This year's focus was on companion, farm and wild animals — sectors often overlooked in national One Health strategies. 'It is time to mainstream animal welfare into our national development strategy – not as a luxury, but as a necessity for resilience, justice and health,' said FOUR PAWS South Africa director Fiona Miles. Dr André Coetzer of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control warned that neglecting dogs and cats undermines disease control efforts, highlighting the importance of mass vaccination and sterilisation campaigns. Dr Masika Sophie from the World Federation for Animals linked industrial farming to public health risks, citing antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic outbreaks, and food insecurity as major concerns. Miles also addressed the captive wildlife industry, warning that the commodification of wild animals, especially big cats, is unethical and dangerous, and undermines conservation. Moderated by Dr Tedson Nkoana from Future Africa, the panel discussed making South Africa's One Health Action Plan more effective by integrating animal welfare as a core element. He emphasised the need for cross-sector collaboration between health, agriculture, and environment departments. Miles called for political champions to embed animal welfare into policy, budgets and science, and for NGOs to work strategically and in unity to advance the issue. 'South Africa has the opportunity and responsibility to lead globally by building a humane, healthy and sustainable future,' she said. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
IOL News
5 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Why South Africans should switch to plant-based milk alternatives this World Plant Milk Day
Oat, soy or almond milk are alternatives to cow's milk. Image: Supplied. Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is appealing to South Africans to switch from cow's milk to plant-based milk alternatives amid growing concerns over the environmental and ethical impact of dairy farming. Ahead of World Plant Milk Day on 22 August, FOUR PAWS highlighted that dairy production in South Africa and around the world contributes significantly to climate change, deforestation, and animal suffering. Cows in industrial dairy systems are repeatedly impregnated, separated from their calves, and often live in confined conditions to maximise milk production. The organisation believes plant-based milks present an easy, affordable and compassionate solution. 'South Africans are already embracing meat-free Mondays, flexitarian diets and conscious living,' said Fiona Miles, Director of FOUR PAWS South Africa. 'Swapping dairy milk for oat, soy or almond milk in your morning rooibos, cereal or smoothie is a simple step with powerful impact, for your health, for the planet, and for animals.' According to the Planetary Health Diet, developed by global scientists to balance human and environmental health, the world should consume no more than 15.7 kg of meat per person per year. However, we surpassed that limit globally by 19 June 2025, now dubbed Meat Exhaustion Day. While South Africa's average meat and dairy consumption remains lower than the Global North, our dietary trends are moving in the wrong direction. 'We must protect the healthier, more plant-forward traditions in many South African communities,' says Miles. 'If we follow high-income countries down the path of overconsumption, we'll end up paying with our health, our climate, and our conscience.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Thanks to a growing demand for plant-based options, local retailers and cafés now offer a wide range of delicious, fortified milk alternatives also available at major retailers nationwide and online stores. Why make the switch? Kindness: No animals are harmed in the production of plant milks. Sustainability: Oat milk, for instance, uses just 48 litres of water per litre, compared to hundreds for cow's milk. Nutrition: Fortified plant milks often match dairy for calcium, B12, and vitamin D, without cholesterol or growth hormones. Taste: Whether it's a foamy cappuccino, overnight oats, or pap and plant milk, there's a flavour and consistency for every lifestyle. 'Living kinder isn't about perfection, it's about progress,' says Miles. 'Every time we choose a plant-based product, we're reducing demand for factory farming and building a more compassionate food system for South Africa.'
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
World Health Assembly adopts landmark Pandemic Agreement, embracing One Health approach
Foxes on a fur farm in Mylnek, Poland Image: Four Paws In a landmark decision that could reshape global health policy, the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva has officially adopted the Pandemic Agreement, marking the first time the One Health approach—a concept that underscores the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health—has been enshrined in an international, legally binding framework. Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS has applauded this development as a crucial step towards preventing pandemics right at their source, urging all nations to not only sign the treaty but also to swiftly implement its provisions. Nina Jamal, Head of Pandemics and Campaign Strategies at FOUR PAWS, highlighted the significance of this agreement. "Today, WHO member states adopted a historic global instrument and committed to tackling the drivers of pandemics at their source, significantly reducing the risk of future outbreaks before humans and animals suffer," she said, emphasising that animal welfare is now recognised as a key component in safeguarding human health. 'This adoption marks a watershed moment, anchoring animal welfare as essential for protecting human health. It shows that global health policy is evolving to include measures beyond symptom control and addresses issues before disease outbreaks burden health systems.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Mink Farm in Poland. Image: FOUR PAWS This newly adopted treaty not only reiterates the importance of animal welfare in health policy but also represents a strong commitment to international collaboration in confronting global challenges. By embracing the One Health approach officially, governments worldwide are encouraged to develop multisectoral strategies that acknowledge the intricate links between human well-being, animal health, and environmental stability. FOUR PAWS underscores the alarming reality that over 70% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals, influenced by human actions towards the treatment of animals and their habitats. Jamal pointed to the ongoing threat posed by zoonotic diseases, such as the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, which has recently affected dairy cattle in the US and has been linked to significant health risks for both animals and humans. The stark reality is that conditions in factory farms exacerbate these risks, allowing for the proliferation and mutation of viruses involved in outbreaks. Examples of the dire consequences of ignoring animal welfare abound; in 2023, over 500,000 animals—including mink, foxes, and raccoon dogs—were euthanised on fur farms in Finland, while 141 million poultry were killed or euthanised globally in 2022 as part of efforts to contain the H5N1 outbreak. Jamal suggested that transitioning to smaller farms with improved animal welfare could mitigate such risks, ultimately lowering disease transmission and reducing both animal suffering and economic losses. Broiler chicken farm investigation in December 2020 in east England. The investigation took place on one of Britain's mega farms. As calculations of flock and building size have revealed, more than 22 birds are kept per square metre of floor space. Many of the birds are visibly sick and forced to live miserable lives. Image: Four Paws 'When they suffer, we suffer,' Jamal emphasised, calling for an evaluation of high-risk practices such as habitat destruction, wildlife trade, and the deplorable conditions prevalent in factory farming. Countries that have successfully implemented the One Health approach, like Uganda—with its National One Health Platform—illustrate the effectiveness of interministerial collaboration in preventing zoonotic disease outbreaks. With a track record of addressing zoonotic threats such as Ebola and anthrax, Uganda prioritises disease prevention and preparedness, serving as a pioneering example for others to follow. The call to action is clear: as the world grapples with changing health dynamics, the emphasis on One Health is more critical than ever. FOUR PAWS advocates that recognising this interconnectedness is not merely an ideal but a necessary approach to safeguard public health moving forward.
Euronews
03-05-2025
- General
- Euronews
‘Turned into mere commodities': Inside South Africa's illegal leopard trade
ADVERTISEMENT Like many other big cat species, leopards are severely threatened by commercialisation. Alive or dead, they are traded as commodities to satisfy the growing demand for exotic pets, or for their bones, skulls, and skins to be used in traditional medicine, luxury products, or trophies. On International Leopard Day, 3 May, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is shining a spotlight on the exploitation of leopards in the global big cat trade. 'It's tragic to see how these majestic creatures have turned into mere commodities,' says Vanessa Amoroso, head of wild animals in trade at FOUR PAWS. Leopards are being killed as substitutes for tigers With the growing international demand for tigers, other big cat species like leopards are increasingly being targeted by poachers and wildlife traffickers, say FOUR PAWS. Purposely mislabelled as coming from 'tigers', bones, teeth and other body parts are traded in wildlife markets in Asia to become traditional medicine, luxurious accessories, trophies and more. Related Some shark bites are 'survival instinct', researchers say in defence of threatened predator Inside the new seal rescue centre caring for injured pups in the Netherlands Despite the pressure on their wild populations and having the strictest protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), around 12,000 leopards and their parts were traded between 2020 and 2023 worldwide, according to the CITES database. Tulani at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, South Africa. © FOUR PAWS | Monika M Girardi 'Leopards across Africa, the Middle East and Asia have lost nearly 75 per cent of their natural habitats because of habitat destruction and poaching,' says Amoroso. 'While wild big cat populations are at the brink of extinction, others are bred in questionable breeding facilities for the sole purpose of being traded across the world - alive or as body parts.' South Africa is a major actor in the global big cat trade Despite international scrutiny, South Africa continues to play a key role in supplying and fuelling the global demand for big cats and their body parts. It does so by allowing this intensive captive breeding industry to flourish under their ineffective legislation, says FOUR PAWS. The group's Break the Vicious Cycle campaign documents South Africa's leading role in the commercial exploitation and trade of big cat species. 'The protection of big cats is not uniform across the world and varies from country to country. It even varies between big cat species,' says Amoroso. The protection of big cats is not uniform across the world. © FOUR PAWS 'Wildlife traffickers and dealers are aware of this and are always on the search for easy solutions to make money. If getting a tiger is too complicated, they will quickly move on to more accessible and less protected substitutes.' 'FOUR PAWS is urging governments across the world to align with international standards on wild animal protection, such as CITES, to end unscrupulous wildlife trafficking and exploitation for profit,' adds Amoroso. ADVERTISEMENT A big cat sanctuary for threatened leopards FOUR PAWS also advocates for the protection of big cats at their LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. It was established nearly two decades ago, in 2006, to give traumatised big cats rescued from exploitation a second chance with species-appropriate care. Tulani and Mike quickly found comfort in each other's company. © FOUR PAWS Two of its first inhabitants were the leopards Mike and Tulani. After being rescued in 2006, they are now a 'senior couple' at LIONSROCK. Related Millions of people are tuning in to watch a 24-hour livestream of moose migrating in Sweden Critically endangered Galapagos tortoises become first time parents at nearly 100 years old Tulani was born at a South African safari farm in 2002, before being bought as a cub by her previous owner to be kept as a pet. Mike was a wild leopard that was captured and kept in private captivity. ADVERTISEMENT Though leopards enjoy solitude, Tulani and Mike quickly found comfort in each other's company. Nearly twenty years have passed, but both leopards are still spotted enjoying the African sun together.
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
FOUR PAWS Names Lamb Chop & Mallory Lewis as 'Lamb Ambassadors'
Boston, MA, March 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arguably the most famous sock puppet in the world, Lamb Chop, and 'sister' Mallory Lewis, are lending their voices on behalf of lambs. FOUR PAWS has appointed the ventriloquist duo as 'Lamb Ambassadors' harnessing Lamb Chop's lovable spirit and global fan base to expose the inherent cruelty of the Australian Merino wool industry. The partnership between FOUR PAWS and their new Lamb Ambassadors aims to raise awareness to the particularly cruel farming practice called 'live lamb cutting' (also known as mulesing), which has been used for over a century in Australia. It involves a substantial cutting off of young lambs' buttocks skin without adequate pain management. FOUR PAWS' ultimate goal with this campaign is a ban on live lamb cutting in Australia by 2030, accomplished by public awareness and pressure, fashion brand commitments and policymaker engagement. 'When I first heard about live lamb cutting, I thought it sounded scary and mean, so I wanted to speak up for all the other lambs who don't have a voice like I do,' said Lamb Chop. In 2021, FOUR PAWS launched its appeal to fashion brands to help stop live lamb cutting. This week, the effort celebrates not only Lamb Chop and Mallory Lewis, but its 100th signature of support. One hundred international fashion brands, including leading names such as Zara, Patagonia, and Hugo Boss, have publicly committed to excluding wool sourced from live lamb cutting by signing FOUR PAWS' Brand Letter of Intent, a clear signal for more animal welfare in the industry. The growing number of international companies will increasingly urge the Australian wool industry to stop the brutal practice and transition to industry -proven alternatives that are kinder to animals. Mallory Lewis is the daughter of legendary Shari Lewis, who entertained children from the 1950s through the 1990s with the beloved Lamb Chop. After her mother's passing, Mallory took over the act, continuing the legacy and keeping their charm and humor alive. Today, they perform on TV and in live shows and continue to gain a new generation of fans on TikTok and Instagram. Now, the duo uses their global platform to 'Be Their Voice' and help FOUR PAWS save lambs. Following last year´s launch of FOUR PAWS' star-studded animated film with support from Hollywood actors Danielle Macdonald and Scott Evans – the organization teamed up with LA production company Pollution Studios to create a series of emotionally charged reaction videos. Volunteering their time, celebrities sat in pairs in front of a monitor that played actual footage of the cruel live lamb cutting practice that over ten million lambs endure every year on Australian farms. Mallory Lewis and Lamb Chop also took part and bravely watched the footage in order to witness what lambs go through. 'This is footage of lambs that look like they've been butchered, but they're actually…alive? Horrible,' Lewis exclaimed as she watched the cruel footage. 80 per cent of the fine merino wool for the global fashion market comes from Australia - the only country in the world where live lamb cutting is legally and commonly practiced. This mutilation of lambs is used as a quick and cheap method of preventing fly infestation (flystrike). However, there are alternative methods available such as breeding plain-bodied sheep who are naturally resistant to fly infestation and proper management of the animals. This can eliminate both flystrike and lamb cutting. Additionally, industry research and farmers' accounts reportedly associate plain-bodied sheep with higher lamb survival rates. Brands that have signed the Brand Letter of Intent have either fully excluded live lamb cut wool from their product range or are committed to do so by latest 2030. By signing the letter, brands are urging the Australian wool industry to transition to available and proven alternatives by 2030.
