IAPWA Blog
Welcome to the IAPWA Blog
Read all about the latest news from our teams, our projects in Borneo, Penang Island and Romania, and the animals we care for every single day. You can also sign up to the IAPWA Newsletter here.
World Wildlife Conservation Day
Since 2012, the 4th of December has been recognised as World Wildlife Conservation Day. This honorary day was created in 2012 to raise awareness of issues including wildlife extinction, endangerment and global wildlife trafficking and poaching.
National Tree Week
Each year, between the 26th of November and 4th of December, the UK celebrates the beginning of tree planting season by kicking off National Tree Week. Trees are the largest plants and longest living species on Earth and are essential for a healthy planet, which is why they are more than worthy of being honoured with this week of observance.
Borneo Animal Welfare Centre
We are building a new Borneo Animal Welfare Centre in 2023 from which we will run a comprehensive Dog and Cat Population Management Project, containing a range of programmes, some of which will be the first of their kind. We are so excited about the difference this project will make.
World Rabies Day 2022
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system of mammals. Whilst being 99.9% fatal, it is also 100% preventable by vaccination. World Rabies Day was launched in 2007 by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) as the first global advocacy, education, and awareness campaign for rabies. Learn more about this important campaign today.
The Environmental Cost of Animal Agriculture
By 2050, the world’s population is expected to reach 10 billion, requiring an increase in global food production by 70%, with greenhouse gases projected to increase by 80%. It is important to acknowledge the environmental harm the production of animal products causes. This blog, written by Vivian Sandler, explores that topic in more detail.
Keeping your dog safe on walks
It’s so important to think ahead to ensure your dog is as safe as possible on a walk. With more people than ever owning dogs in the UK, dog parks can sometimes become overcrowded. Plus, we are seeing hotter summers and more extreme winters, so there are many factors to consider to ensure Fido’s tail keeps wagging.
How To Keep Your Pets Cool During The Heatwave
At IAPWA, we are passionate about animal welfare and want to ensure all dogs and cats in the UK are kept safe. We have listed some top tips to keep your pet cool during the heatwave. Understanding what to do to keep your pets cool, reduces any serious risks to your companions and allows you to be more at ease.
The Personalities and Plight of Farmed Animals
Animal exploitation is so ingrained in society that most people contribute to it unknowingly. Globally, humans consume about 350 million tons of meat a year—three times the amount that was consumed fifty years ago, with this number only rising as countries develop economically and populations rise (The World Counts, 2021; Ritchie & Roser, 2019).
The Animal Sentience Debate: From BCE to the 21st Century
Talks about animal sentience–whether nonhuman animals can feel pain or pleasure–is not a new topic. Currently, we are living in a time when it is not difficult to find documentaries on animal sentience and intelligence, along with alternative products at the supermarket that do not involve animal suffering.
Easy fundraising ideas to support patients at IAPWA
At IAPWA, our work is funded entirely by the generosity of animal lovers worldwide and we are always grateful for any offers of support to help us to improve the lives of animals in need. Could you help us raise funds for animals right now?
Fundraising is a wonderful opportunity to bring your community together; including family, friends, and neighbours, all participating towards a rewarding cause.
Tick Bite Prevention Week
At IAPWA, our work is funded entirely by the generosity of animal lovers worldwide and we are always grateful for any offers of support to help us to improve the lives of animals in need. Could you help us raise funds for animals right now?
Fundraising is a wonderful opportunity to bring your community together; including family, friends, and neighbours, all participating towards a rewarding cause.
Why Romania?
Over the last few years, we’ve seen a huge rise in the number of Romanian rescue dogs being re-homed in the UK, alongside an increase of awareness in the general public about the plight of dogs in the country. Romania’s stray dog problem is highly complex and became much worse in the 1970s, when the country-wide move towards urbanisation resulted in many people moving into small apartments and no longer being able to keep their pet dogs.
World Spay Day 2022
Spaying is the surgical removal of the female reproductive organs – the ovaries and uterus – from dogs and cats. The male equivalent is called castration, which is the surgical removal of the testicles. Collectively, spaying and castration are often referred to as sterilisation, neutering, fixing or dressing. But why do we do it?
How can I help the animals this Christmas?
Christmas is a time of giving, and what better way to spread the love than by helping IAPWA ensure that every animal in our care knows somebody is thinking of them at this time of year. They may not have a family of their own this Christmas, but with your help we can ensure they won’t be forgotten.
Why fundraise with IAPWA?
We’re not going to beat around the bush – by fundraising with IAPWA you really are giving sick, vulnerable, hungry and abandoned strays a second chance at life. With the funds you raise we are able to rescue, feed, treat, neuter, vaccinate and provide a vital lifeline to the animals who really need us.
Vegan Food & Living Magazine – just £1 an issue!
Vegan Food & Living is the ultimate seasonal companion; from inspiring you to cook delicious food, to bringing you articles that you just can’t put down. Curl up with 3 issues of the best-selling UK vegan magazine for just £3.
Celebrity Zip Event for Animals
On a glorious afternoon this September, animal lovers from around the country came together in sunny Brighton for a unique celebrity challenge like no other. Led by IAPWA Ambassador, Nick Taylor, a team of brave celebrities stepped forward to face their fears…
Introducing our new partner, Vetafarm Australia
Successful partnerships with businesses are a vital part of funding the work of IAPWA and helping us change the lives of so many animals in need around the world. Today, we’d like to introduce you to our new corporate partner, our friends at Vetafarm Australia.
Introducing our new Community Fundraising Programme!
Introducing our new Community Fundraising Programme. We’re here to tell you all about what is it and how you can get involved to help animals in need all around the world…
Spotlight on: Choong Koon Yean
For the second in our ‘Spotlight On…’ series, we caught up with Choong Koon Yean, our amazing IAPWA Penang Project Director who works incredibly hard to change the lives of animals across Penang.
What is mange and how do we treat it?
Mange is one of the most common skin diseases in stray dogs who come into the care of IAPWA. This debilitating infection is widespread but can also be easily treated…
IAPWA Penang partnership with Penang Island City Council (MBPP) renewed for 5 years
We are incredibly proud to announce that our partnership with Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has been renewed for another 5 years…
Top tips for animal-friendly travel
As travel restrictions are easing and the possibility of a holiday abroad is on the horizon once again, many of us are excitedly dusting off our passports! However, for wild animals, tourism is a real problem. In fact, a study by World Animal Protection found that 75% of wildlife tourist attractions are having a negative impact on wild animals…
Spotlight on: Jainah Binti Ongubing
Here at IAPWA we wouldn’t be able to save all of the animals that need our help without the efforts and dedication of our incredible staff members. In the first of our new ‘Spotlight on…’ series, we’re going behind the scenes to celebrate and learn more about Jainah Binti Ongubing – a Veterinary Assistant at our IAPWA Borneo Project…
Little Kage’s nine lives
On 16th March, whilst our Penang team were carrying out daily tasks, we stumbled upon a tiny kitten in the middle of a busy highway. This four-week-old boy was extremely lucky to be alive, after almost being run down by multiple cars before we were able to rescue him…
Neuter strays for healthier, happier lives
Since we started our journey, IAPWA have neutered over 15,000 stray dogs and cats across our projects. It is shocking statistics, but one unneutered female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in just six years…
Fundraising superstar sets up community library
Jackie Elliott, one of our amazing fundraising volunteers, has recently set up a community library to raise vital funds for IAPWA. We caught up with her to find out more about her incredible work as part of Team IAPWA…
Nick Taylor joins IAPWA as new Ambassador
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Nick Taylor as a new Ambassador for International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA). Nick, who is based in West Sussex, has been a media lawyer and Partner…
Argos finds his forever home
Argos is a special little boy who we rescued in April last year. At only four weeks old, he was found frightened and alone in a dirty, wet drain in Penang. No innocent kitten should have to endure such a painful start in life…
Local heroes rescue stranded strays
On Saturday 20 March, an extraordinary mission took place to rescue a group of stray dogs and puppies on Pulau Gazumbo, a small uninhabited island in Penang. It is estimated that there were six adult dogs and seven puppies struggling to survive on the island…