Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad

The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) is a global charity with the objective and purpose of providing veterinary care to working animals, including donkeys, horses, elephants and camels.

Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad logo

SPANA's mission is to transform the lives of working animals and the developing communities that depend on these animals for their survival, through its Treat, Train and Teach strategy. The charity treats animals who are suffering from injury and illness, or facing emergency situations, through its free provision of veterinary care delivered from a network of hospitals and mobile clinics. It trains animal owners and vets, promoting best practice and care. And the charity teaches children that animals must be treated with care and compassion through its humane education program.

In 2019, SPANA treated over 385,000 animals across 30 countries, including Morocco, Mali, Mauritania, Botswana, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, South Africa and Jordan.

SPANA is funded entirely by voluntary donations. In 2019, the charity had a global expenditure of £9,851,081.

SPANA's registered charity number is 209015.

History

SPANA was founded in 1923 by British woman Kate Hosali and her daughter, Nina. While travelling through North Africa as tourists, the Hosali's were struck by the awful sight of donkeys, mules and camels who were malnourished; weak; buckling under the weight of huge loads; suffering with wounds inflicted by poorly fitting harnesses. Determined to help these working animals, they founded SPANA to provide them with practical support and also create greater awareness of the need for animals to be treated with respect and kindness.

Initially the charity worked primarily in North African countries including Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, before expanding into across West and East Africa and even the Middle East.

SPANA's early history is charted by the 1978 book, 'Kate Who Was Called the Toubiba: The SPANA Story', by Nina Hosali.

In recent years, SPANA has expanded it work into southern Africa and, through local partnerships, also delivered projects across Asia, Africa and Central and South America.

In 2016, SPANA launched International Working Animal Day. This annual event aims to raise awareness of the vital role played by working animals in developing countries around the world.

SPANA was named 'Best Animal Welfare Charity' (for Europe, the Middle East and Africa) at the 2016 Animal Health Awards.

In 2018, SPANA became one of the leading animal charities to campaign against the increased threat to donkeys posed by the donkey skin trade and uncontrolled use of donkey skins to produce ejiao.

Today

As of 2020, SPANA has approximately 45 staff based in the charity's UK office and an additional 200 staff based overseas. The charity operates from its UK headquarters in John Street, London.

SPANA's senior management comprises Paul Sylva (Acting Chief Executive, Director of Finance and Company Secretary), Dr Ben Sturgeon (Director of Services) and David Bassom (Director of Fundraising and Marketing). Between 2017 and 2020, Geoffrey Dennis served as the charity's Chief Executive. Prior to Dennis's appointment in January 2018, Jeremy Hulme served as Chief Executive for more than 25 years.

The charity's board of trustees is chaired by Richard Greenhaulgh, the former Chair of Unilever.

Supporters

Notable supporters of the charity include Prince Asem bin Al Nayef, SPANA's honorary president in Jordan; Lady Odile Slynn, a former president of SPANA; and Lord Rupert de Mauley, the current president of SPANA. Celebrity supporters of the charity include its Patron, John Craven, and ambassadors Peter Egan, Paul O'Grady, Brian Blessed, Dame Twiggy Lawson, Marc Abraham, James Greenwood and Jim Broadbent. Broadbent presented a programme about the work of SPANA on This Morning in March 2006.

References
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