We currently have a grants fund of £40,000 which enables us to fund quality projects which help a variety of animals across the globe. We'd like to be able to fund more, particularly as there are outstanding and deserving calls for support, but we need more funds to be able to do so. Can you help us to reach £50,000?

Story

The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) is an animal welfare charity but one with a difference. We help millions of animals around the world, from pets to wild and farm animals, and have done since 1926. UFAWs work changes attitudes and legislation regarding how animals are cared for and treated. Thanks to the generosity of our members and supporters, we have been able to fund some amazing work with a lasting impact but we'd so like to be able to do more. We are currently appealing for funds to help us to be able to support more animal welfare projects.

Why is science important?

One of the most important tools in the box for challenging unnecessary suffering is animal welfare science. When supported by scientific evidence, views carry more weight. Change for the better depends on knowledge, understanding and practical solutions. A major part of UFAWs work is enabling mankind to find out and understand more about what matters to animals and how we can improve their welfare. It does this by funding quality projects which have the capacity to help large numbers of animals and to really make a difference, and by disseminating the information learned. For example, some of our recent projects have included the welfare implications of hot-iron disbudding in diary calves (USA), a workshop on elephant behaviour, welfare and training for owners and mahouts in Thailand, the promotion of animal welfare by introducing new approaches to clinical skills teaching at veterinary schools in Bangladesh and a study which looked at the effects of dog training methods on pet dog welfare and the dog-owner bond (Portugal). You can read more about some of these projects on our website (www.ufaw.org.uk/topup).

Why we need your help

Despite substantial achievements, outside the scientific and academic/veterinary community, relatively few people are aware that UFAW has been hard at work for nearly a century. Much of this work has been funded by donations from supporters and legacies - a powerful testament to the generosity and benevolence of those who care about animals and their welfare. Over the years, UFAWs work has made real, lasting improvements to animals lives and encompassed a vast range of animals from the mouse to the elephant. Please help us to do more - the more support we have, the more we can do.