World Federation for Animals

05/31/2026

🦞 Human painkillers block pain responses in lobsters, proving they genuinely feel distress.

Science confirms they are sentient.

Understanding lobster pain isn’t just philosophically important. It has enormous real-world stakes because the lobster industry operates at a staggering scale.👇

https://ow.ly/Jtm050Z5SpG

Groundbreaking new research published in “Scientific Reports” confirms what animal advocates have long suspected: lobsters experience real pain, not just reflexes.

05/29/2026

Next month, we'll be at Bonn to highlight how animal welfare can drive .

Our asks:
➡️ plant-rich diets & high-welfare farming
➡️ Rio Convention synergies by protecting
➡️ safeguarding aquatic animals for climate action

More ⤵️ https://ow.ly/LGAt50Z5u63

05/27/2026

A new dossier published by our member Observatorio de Bienestar Animal analyses the state of compliance of the largest supermarket chains in Spain with cage-free commitments.

It highlights the gap between public commitments and actual implementation. ⚠️

📄 Read it here: https://ow.ly/T9oF50Z4FgW

05/26/2026

that around 60% of known human infectious diseases originate in animals & that roughly 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic? ⤵️

Despite these staggering numbers, the World Organisation for Animal Health 2026 State of the World’s Animal Health report reveals a gap: animal health receives as little as 0.6% of global health spending. 🚨

This lack of investment has consequences. The report estimates that animal disease destroys more than 20% of global animal production every year, causing losses that cascade directly into global food prices, trade, and livelihoods.

🔗 https://ow.ly/Z6nW50Z4cTm

This is the critical intersection where animal health and welfare connect directly with biodiversity protection, pandemic prevention, and global food security. 🌍

The world is failing to invest in animal health despite mounting evidence that the cost of inaction far exceeds the cost of prevention, according to the annual State of the World’s Animal Health report.

05/25/2026

This week's top headlines that matter for animals 👇

🟢 From 3 September, meat from Brazil will not be allowed to be imported into the European Union, despite the new EU-Mercosur trade deal which came into force on 1 May. The ban ensures that all animal products meet strict European standards against using growth-promoting antibiotics to boost profits at the expense of animal welfare.

🔴 A new report reveals that Norwegian salmon farms let immense nutrient pollution flood directly into coastal waters. This creates a massive accumulation of waste equivalent to the raw sewage of three to five times the country's population. This severe pollution threatens fragile fjord ecosystems by triggering destructive algal blooms that deplete vital oxygen for aquatic animals.

Stay informed & get these news direct to your inbox 📨 https://ow.ly/UNe350Z3Lfo

05/22/2026

Insects don’t usually get a lot of empathy. But as the insect farming industry takes off, we need to look at them much closer than we realise. ⤵️

A study published in the journal Proceedings of The Royal Society B shows that, when injured, crickets groom only their injured limbs and ignore those that are fine. This targeted care, known as 'flexible self-protection', means they likely have a complex felt experience of pain and suffering. 🦗

👉 This challenges the old belief that insects are just ‘robotic' creatures incapable of feeling.

Yet, according to the Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, an estimated 370 billion of them are raised on farms every year, leading to a potentially vast amount of suffering. ❗

The researchers point out that most global laws explicitly exclude invertebrates and express an urgent need for the industry to establish humane handling methods & to provide better living conditions.

📄 Access the research: https://ow.ly/Pih150Z3gec

Thank you to the researchers behind this important study: Oscar Manzi, Kate E. Lynch, Daniel M. Allman, Tanya Latty, and Thomas E. White.

05/19/2026

Despite shrinking in recent years, the industry still poses a disproportionate risk to . ❗

Banning this practice could prevent the incubation of future diseases and serve as one of the most significant public health measures in decades.

via The Guardian 🔗 https://ow.ly/TOtE50Z1vOz

05/18/2026

Don't miss our next Debrief Session happening on June 2 at 4 pm CET 📣

As the 79th World Health Assembly ( ) and the 93rd General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health ( ) happen this week in Geneva and Paris, join us to unpack what these key global health events really mean for animals.

Our panel of experts will explore:
▶️ The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance
▶️ The PABS Annex under the WHO Pandemic Agreement
▶️ Updated World Organisation for Animal Health chapters on animal welfare

If you're working at the intersection of animal welfare and public health, this discussion is for you.

👉 Register now: https://ow.ly/XVZX50Z1bfE

Live interpretation will be available in Spanish and French.

FOUR PAWS Animals' Angels USA

05/15/2026

Tomorrow is , a reminder that wildlife loss is not only a biodiversity crisis, but also a climate crisis. ❗

Wild animals play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems that support biodiversity and strengthen resilience to climate change.

Through the Wildlife for Climate Action Declaration, governments are recognising the essential role of wildlife in climate mitigation and ecosystem health.

Learn more about the Declaration: https://wfa.org/african-leaders-back-new-wildlife-for-climate-declaration-ahead-of-cop31/

Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary for the Environment Minister announces roadmap at COP30 in Belém, recognising urgent need for wildlife protection for sake of climate.

05/13/2026

Global food companies are showing a strong commitment to animal welfare policies, but nearly 90% still receive the lowest ratings for actual implementation. ⚠️

These findings were recently released in the latest Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW). This annual report assesses the global food industry’s animal welfare policies, practices, and overall performance.

🟢 This year’s results highlight some encouraging progress. For instance, 69% of companies with eggs in their supply chains have now set targets to go cage-free.

🔴 However, the report also shows that progress is being slowed by the high costs of welfare-friendly systems and the long timeframes needed to transform global supply chains.

Access the full report 🔗 https://ow.ly/MvBb50YYYOr

Compassion in World Farming FOUR PAWS