Together we did great things, OIPA's main activities in 2024

The culture in defence of animals and of a vegan and environmentally friendly lifestyle is becoming more and more widespread. It’s evident that society is more interested than ever in animal welfare, and because of this, many people are fighting to promote specific laws against mistreatment, exploitation, and crimes against every living being. This promotes the activities of animal welfare organizations that can count on broad public support.

In 2024, OIPA – International Organization for Animal Protection –, achieved important goals by dealing with animal feeding, rescuing activities, veterinary care, sterilization projects, international campaigns and emergency disaster relief aid. In particular, our association did important work in helping animals in war zone.

We can briefly mention OIPA’s 2024 main activities

BAN LIVE EXPORTS: INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS DAY

Millions of sheep, calves, pigs, cows and other animals around the world still being subjected to this cruel trade, packed into overcrowded trucks and ships, becoming increasingly exhausted, dehydrated and stressed, and many dying as a result of the cruelty. Despite of that, the EU Commission hasn’t introduced opportunity to introduce a ban and has announce just weak amendments to transport regulations in its review of animal welfare legislation. To raise awareness, the OIPA’s campaign “Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day “(14 June) shared videos and social media posts and called on supporters to share them with the hashtag #BanLiveExports.

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OTHER CAMPAIGNS

OIPA joined and supported other international campaigns in 2024, some of which are still running:

• “Stop the comeback of greyhound racing in Vietnam” is the campaign promoted by OIPA’s member league GREY2K USA whose purpose is to prevent the reintroduction of greyhound racing, a cruel sport that could be reintroduced in Vietnam.

• “Stop cruelty toward liminal animals” is intended to improve lives of all those animals, wild and not domestic, who live freely with us in urban areas, like pigeons, rats, hedgehogs, rabbits and hares, swans, sparrows and squirrels. The first world day for the defence of liminal animals was created by the French association PAZ – Paris Animaux Zoopolis to which OIPA gave its support.

• Flash flooding in Galati, emergency response for affected animals has originated from the torrential rains and flash floods in Central and Eastern Europe which have caused 5,000 households. Close to OIPA’s member association in Romania, Sava’s Safe Haven, countless people and animals have been badly affected. With the assistance of Romanian Police, Sava’s team was able to reach some villages and provide them essential supplies, such as food and medicines.

• “Stop of illegal puppy trade in Europe” is a campaign that aims to shed light on the pervasive issue of illegal puppy trafficking and advocate for stricter regulations to protect animals and consumers. OIPA and PETA Germany have joined forces for PETA’s 2024/25 puppy trade campaign to combat the illegal pet trade across s Europe.

• “Vote for Animals” is a campaign launched by Eurogroup for Animals and supported by over 50 international organizations – OIPA included – aims to place animal welfare at the core of the upcoming EU Elections.

EMERGENCY UKRAINE

OIPA International has been providing food, veterinary assistance and general supplies to war-affected animals in Ukraine since 2022. Only in 2024, nearly 1.5 tons of dry and wet food for cats and dogs, but also probiotics, deworming tablets, parasite treatments were delivered by OIPA to needy pets of vulnerable families. Only in November, over 500 kg of pet food has been delivered to Mykolaiv, Vilhnovisk and Nykopol. Many of the actions accomplished were possible thanks to intensive collaboration with Ukrainian associations that are part of the OIPA network.

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RESCUE MISSION TO SAVE 30 DOGS FROM WAR-TORN LEBANON

Lebanon, already grappling with economic turmoil and political instability, in 2024 faced a growing humanitarian crisis that endangered innocent animals, including dogs, risk being caught in the crossfire, suffering from neglect and abuse. In light of the threat of war, OIPA International has received a request by “Back To Life Dog Rescue” for assistance in evacuating 30 of the most vulnerable dogs located in Bzebdine, Hemlaya, and Batroun to Italy. Once necessary paperwork and veterinary procedures would be completed, the dogs would be transported to the airport for their cargo flight to Paris. The first step was done in the last October when, through generous donations, 14 dogs embarked on a new life of freedom. Moreover, OIPA delivered in Lebanon a vital 600kg of dry food: 30 bags, each weighing 20kg, were distributed by the partner Back2life Dog Rescue at the Shouf Dog Shelter. OIPA’s hope is that all the rescued dogs find loving homes soon.

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STOP THE DONKEY SKIN TRADE IN CAMEROON

From August to September 2023, OIPA Cameroon carried out an awareness campaign on donkey skin trade and the impact on livelihood in BOGO municipality in the Far North Region Cameroon with financial support from OIPA International. The overall goal of the campaign was to disrupt cross-border movement and the donkeys hide trade in the region. Our organization aspires to raise $1000 to empower 30 community members and local administration within Zamia and Tchabawol communities with knowledge and skills about the donkey skin trade and its implication on communities. The project will engage and empower law enforcement officers living with communities.

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Our organization gave its contribution participating in public consultations, drafting documents, writing open letters to Governments and international authorities, joining protests and demos for the defence of animal rights. Some other OIPA’s actions in 2024 were:

• A Pawsome act of kindness for cats.After receiving an email written by a lady, who was in a difficult situation and with limited resources to properly care for her own pets and other street cats, OIPA donated 50 kg of cat food (wet and dry) to these needy four paws in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• Call for compassion: OIPA supporting animal welfare amid Syria’s crisis. A much-needed shipment of cat food, amounting to 60 kg, arrived at the hands of Havin, a dedicated volunteer and activist based in Rojava. This shipment helped neglected stray animals in Syria’s community, many of which suffer from the dire circumstances caused by ongoing devastation.

• Stop the comeback of greyhound racing in Vietnam. During 2024, alarming plans aim to bring dog racing back to Vietnam as part of a large-scale tourist development project in Lam Dong Province. OIPA International sponsored the petition of the member league GREY2K USA in order to prevent the reintroduction of this cruel sport.

• Sterilization, vaccination and food for street dogs and cats in Egypt. OIPA’s delegation in Egypt, led by Zeina, participated in four pilot projects aimed at supporting animal welfare. During the vaccination and sterilization activities, volunteers also fed homeless dogs and cats.

• Cat vaccination campaign at Tishk university (Kurdistan). OIPA’s member league association KOARP – Kurdistan Organization for Animal Rights Protection – was called to participate and support some educational and awareness activities during a day dedicated to animals under the slogan “Animals have rights to live on this planet as humans have”, organized for the students at Tishk University.