Animal Defenders International

Animal Defenders International Active worldwide to end animal suffering. Founded World Day for Laboratory Animals in 1979. Founded International Primate Day in 2005.

Education; awareness; investigations; prosecutions; scientific, legal, economic research; animal rescues; funding of non-animal research. http://www.ad-international.org

A LIONESS REBORN. Aziza was once an illegal trophy pet in Kuwait living a completely unnatural life in a city in the mi...
03/10/2026

A LIONESS REBORN. Aziza was once an illegal trophy pet in Kuwait living a completely unnatural life in a city in the middle of a desert. When we first encountered her in Kuwait Zoo, where she was cared for with five other lions from the illegal trade before their move to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, she was anxious, pacing and struggling to cope with her surroundings. But, almost with her first step onto African soil, Aziza has blossomed. Today, she is stronger, confident, playful and full of personality. She loves watching her carers, exploring her habitat and playfully stalking anyone who passes by.

Right now you can own a gorgeous original watercolour of Aziza by Kacy Egan which is up for grabs in our online auction:
https://bit.ly/46TKfTa

A new UK Government press release announces funding for a new £20m pre-clinical research hub in Cambridge and nine proje...
03/10/2026

A new UK Government press release announces funding for a new £20m pre-clinical research hub in Cambridge and nine projects developing human-relevant alternatives, including lab-grown human tissues and AI-powered drug modelling.

This marks one of the Government’s key commitments in its ‘roadmap’ to reduce animal testing, released last year.

A great concern about the ‘roadmap’, was that it was so defensive of animal research, failing to critique animal models and reading instead like propaganda. It is therefore encouraging that the Government acknowledges here that the modern, replacement technologies could make medicines development faster, more accurate and more relevant to human biology. This shift in thinking is vital to progress.

Importantly, some of these projects aim to replace safety studies that currently rely on dogs and monkeys.

But investment is only the first step. These technologies must be validated, adopted and mechanisms put in place to ensure they are actually used instead of animals - not simply used alongside continued animal use.

There are also no clear details on when the hub is expected to become operational.

So, while this announcement is a welcome step forward, we need to see action, implementation and measurable progress - not just promises.

We must keep pushing to ensure the UK delivers on its commitment to move away from animal testing and accelerates the transition to better, human-relevant science.

👉 Visit our website to find out how you can help keep up the pressure and push for the faster replacement of animal tests: https://bit.ly/help-lab-animals-UK

02/10/2026

Fur is an unethical product and designers who wish to use it in their collections, or those who wear it, must take responsibility for the way that their product has been produced.
🦊

At the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, we rescue animals big and small. Our residents enjoy lifelong care and protection, incl...
02/10/2026

At the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, we rescue animals big and small. Our residents enjoy lifelong care and protection, including birds like peacocks, chickens, guinea fowl, geese, owls, springboks and other antelope, rescued cows, donkeys, goats, pigs, and more.

All too often these ‘farm’ animal species are treated as commodities, deemed only as valuable as the food product they are turned into. No consideration for their lives, feelings, or individuality. We believe ALL animals are sentient and should be treated with compassion.

We are thrilled that we’re able to expand our capacity to rescue and help more species with the construction of our new Non-Predator Reception Area. Thank you to everyone who supported this important project – it’s not quite finished yet, but it is critical for continuing our work for these animals!

TODAY IS WORLD FARM ANIMALS DAY! Take some time to give a little love to the much abused and misunderstood billions of f...
02/10/2026

TODAY IS WORLD FARM ANIMALS DAY! Take some time to give a little love to the much abused and misunderstood billions of farm animals – just like Jonas is doing here with Lucky at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Lucky was confiscated on the way to a political rally where he was to be killed and eaten as part of the celebrations. Lucky was indeed lucky.

Farm animals are sentient, feeling pain, fear, stress, excitement, joy, each one an individual with a personality – you know that already if you have had any pets in your life. Yet they are treated as commodities for people’s taste buds.

Chickens in crowded, sheds bred to grow unnaturally fast and suffering the consequences. Mother pigs in crates unable to turn around and barely able to shuffle a pace backwards and forwards. Dairy cows repeatedly impregnated to keep them producing milk, calling out as the calves, that the milk should be for, are taken away.

World Farm Animals Day is a chance to learn about and reflect on where your food comes from and consider kinder choices, like adopting a plant-based diet.

AUCTION FOR ANIMALS - ON NOW!!! A chance to own a piece of original artwork and help animals. Paintings capture the spir...
01/10/2026

AUCTION FOR ANIMALS - ON NOW!!! A chance to own a piece of original artwork and help animals. Paintings capture the spirit of animals you have helped us rescue including Pepe, Kesari, Saham, Max & Stripes, Aziza, Shujaa & Saham, David, and Mahla. We even have jewelry with mighty Rolex and Muheeb immortalized in bracelets.

A reminder everyday of the lives you helped ADI transform. Like the stunning painting of spider monkey Pepe who spent eight lonely years chained up in a circus, his teeth broken so he could not defend himself who was cut from his chains, reunited with his own kind and taken home to a rainforest sanctuary. Or Shujaa and Saham peeking out of their house on their first morning at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary when they arrived from Kuwait. Or Max and Stripes now so big, proud and handsome, who we have all watched from up from those tiny cubs ADIsaved from circus in Guatemala. Or elegant, playful Mahla a powerful lioness relaxing, some ten years after we rescued her from a circus in Peru and reunited her with her family.

Every picture tells a story of resilience, survival and a happy ending thanks to ADI supporters. These are inspirational images for your home and when you purchase anything in our auction it helps us care for these magnificent survivors.

The ADI Auction is live now and runs until Tuesday, October 6 at 8:00pm UK / 12:00pm PT / 3:00pm ET.

LINK TO BID IN THE COMMENTS.

A huge thanks to the artists, supporters, and businesses for their donations!

Emma Bowring


Carol Barrett
Sally Rumball
Margaret Perrett
Kacy Egan
Art of Anne Henvey
Lexie Cataldo
Sue Hirsch
Viviana Leon
AvaBunny
Rachel Britton
Judy McDermott
Dylan Forman
Ellen Forman
Kelly Riot
Sara Valderrama
Rody Sampson Fine Art
Kate Ammann

REMEMBERING RUBEN’S CATNIP MADNESS! Life in a private zoo in Armenia broke Ruben’s body but it never broke his spirit a...
01/10/2026

REMEMBERING RUBEN’S CATNIP MADNESS! Life in a private zoo in Armenia broke Ruben’s body but it never broke his spirit and he seized life from the moment he stepped out at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. When he first stepped from his travel crate we wondered how far he would be able to walk. He did indeed wobble, but steadied himself and drove on until he reached a catnip punchbag. Then he began to play until he burst the bag and was covered in catnip. And he just kept playing. For seven precious months, Ruben lived as lion again with the sun on his back, the roars of his own kind again all around him and the grass beneath his feet. We gave up trying to lure him into his house at night, Ruben was determined to sleep beneath the African stars just like his ancestors. He stood at the top of the little hill we build to the platform and roared and the other lions roared back.

Ruben’s time with us was too short, but this inspirational lion, who never gave up, will live forever in our hearts. Rescue work can be heart-breaking when it is animals who have had almost their entire lives stolen from them, but the real tragedy would be for them to never get their time in the sun. All those involved in saving Ruben said we would do it all again to give him just seven days of joy at the end of his hard life, let alone seven months where he got to live as a lion again.

For those who loved Ruben, we have a special handmade bracelet, remembering him in our current ADI Auction (closes October 6):
https://bit.ly/4huagNP

FIREWORKS STRAIN OUR EMERGENCY SERVICESAs well as the terrible impacts that fireworks have on animals, veterans, neurodi...
01/10/2026

FIREWORKS STRAIN OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES

As well as the terrible impacts that fireworks have on animals, veterans, neurodiverse individuals and the environment, fireworks are a public health hazard and put a strain on emergency services.

Every year in the UK there are:
💥 Thousands of fireworks-related injuries, including many hospitalisations.
💥 Hundreds of fires caused by fireworks.
💥 Numerous reports of fireworks used as weapons between gangs, against emergency services, and as anti-social tools.

These injuries, deaths and destruction, whether through accidental misuse, malfunctions or malicious antisocial behaviour, put unnecessary additional strain on our NHS, police and fire responders.

The UK government is currently holding a consultation on fireworks. If you haven’t already, please take part. ADI has prepared template answers which you can copy and modify however you want.

🚨 Click the link in comments to take part! 🚨

WHAT IS THE COST OF THIS ‘ENTERTAINMENT’? ADI’s evidence has shown the daily, casual violence and intimidation that occu...
30/09/2026

WHAT IS THE COST OF THIS ‘ENTERTAINMENT’? ADI’s evidence has shown the daily, casual violence and intimidation that occurs in circuses – screaming, shouting, beating with metal bars or any weapon that is to hand. Wild animals suffer even greater levels, and more frequent, aggression from workers in traveling shows because they are less compliant than domestic animals and workers are more fearful of them.

Wild animal shows can be replaced with modern, human-only performance shows. Human performance shows are popular, provide jobs, and stimulate the economy. There is no excuse.

Help us STOP CIRCUS SUFFERING.
🐯Don’t visit circuses, fairs, or other events with performing animals!
🎪Share this post or tag a friend in the comments to raise awareness!
🐘In the US, help ban wild animals in traveling acts by supporting TEAPSPA!

LINKS in the comments.

MOON AT PLAY! 🐯 Moon is having some fun with her ball, showing off her playful side. Rescued from a circus in Guatemala...
30/09/2026

MOON AT PLAY! 🐯 Moon is having some fun with her ball, showing off her playful side. Rescued from a circus in Guatemala as a cub alongside her sister Sun, Moon has come such a long way. Today, she has the space and freedom to roam, explore and simply be a tiger. Here, she’s having fun with her ball, getting some exercise while keeping her mind engaged. Enrichment like this is an important part of sanctuary life, encouraging natural behaviours and giving the animals something fun to investigate. From a barren circus cage to a life of space, freedom and play, it’s wonderful to see how far Moon has come.

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