Coalition of African Animal Welfare Organisations

16/10/2026

Happy World Food Day!

Transforming our food systems requires asking whose livelihoods are supported, how animals are treated, and whether ecosystems are protected.

For CAAWO, food systems transformation means:

Embedding animal welfare in agricultural and food security policies.

Supporting farmers to adopt humane, sustainable, and economically viable practices.

Strengthening African leadership in global food systems decision-making.

Advancing agroecology, biodiversity protection, and diversified food production.

Turning international commitments into measurable improvements for communities and animals.

Africa must actively shape the global food agenda to ensure changes are delivered on the ground. Animal welfare is essential to lasting transformation.

Read our World Food Day article: https://caawo.org/food-systems-transformation-Africa

Food systems transformation in Africa must protect animals, support farmers and strengthen food security. Discover CAAWO's call for change.

07/09/2026

Connecting the Dots: From Disaster Risk Reduction to Our Dinner Tables Across Africa

This season, as policymakers met at the UNDRR platforms in Ethiopia and prepared for the Africa Food Systems Summit in Rwanda, we need to talk about an invisible pillar of our communities: our animals.

From pastoralists steering cattle through drought-stricken rangelands to smallholder farmers protecting poultry from extreme weather, animal welfare is directly tied to human survival and food security. When we protect animals during disasters, we protect families, economies, and public health.

Read our full breakdown on why animal welfare must be at the heart of Africa’s climate and food security strategies: https://caawo.org/drought-early-warning-for-livestock

Drought early warning for livestock can save herds before crisis strikes. Discover why animal welfare must be built into Africa’s disaster risk systems.

05/08/2026

THE BLUE REVOLUTION IS HERE, AND IT CHANGES EVERYTHING

For the first time in history, aquaculture now produces MORE seafood for human consumption than wild capture fisheries.

The UN FAO's SOFIA 2026 report confirms:

🐟 235 million tonnes of global fisheries and aquaculture production in 2024.

🐟 Aquaculture surpassed 100 million tonnes for the first time.

🐟 Per capita aquatic food consumption hit 20.7 kg per year — the highest ever.

This means rapid aquaculture expansion. And rapid expansion without proper safeguards means:

Increased disease outbreaks.

Ecosystem strain and pollution.

Animal suffering in high-density systems.

At CAAWO, we believe this is a One Health moment. The health of humans, animals, and the environment are connected and our aquaculture systems must reflect that.

What needs to happen:

Strong biosecurity and disease surveillance from day one.

Animal welfare standards built into aquaculture governance.

Investment in aquatic animal health capacity — not just production

A commitment to sustainability, equity, and transparency.

The blue revolution can be a force for good — but only if we get it right.

Read our full analysis on CAAWO’s website: https://caawo.org/the-wet-lab-and-ledger

14/06/2026

This Sunday, June 14th, KwaZulu-Natal's roads will echo with the footsteps of thousands testing human endurance in the Comrades Marathon—lovingly called "The Ultimate Human Race"—a stunning showcase of voluntary hardship, camaraderie, and the resilience of the human spirit. Meanwhile, elsewhere, a silent, relentless endurance test is taking place—the live animal export marathon. Unlike the race in Durban, this journey is non-voluntary: there are no cheering crowds, hydration stations, or medals. It involves tens of thousands of sentient beings forced into a lengthy, non-consensual ordeal. On the day we celebrate human achievement, the Coalition of African Animal Welfare Organisations (CAAWO), along with aware citizens, is calling for an end to one of the most shameful aspects of our food system. These events are interconnected, both reflecting our attitude toward suffering, endurance, and collective moral duty.



The Contrast of Coercion: 90 Kilometres vs. 10,000 Kilometres
The Comrades Marathon symbolises a choice. Runners dedicate years to training, willingly enduring lactic acid, dehydration, and cramps because they have the power to chase greatness.



Shift your focus from Durban's roads to the decks of a live export ship at our ports or the crowded trucks on our highways.



Industrial animal farming treats sentient animals as mere bulk commodities, offloading the biological costs of transport to maximise market gains.

Consider the plight of animals in the live export trade:

Distance: While humans run 90 kilometres, these animals face thousands of kilometres over weeks at sea, crossing equatorial waters.

Conditions: Packed into multi-tier vessels, sheep and cattle stand in their own waste. Their "marathon" is a fight for survival against high temperatures, toxic ammonia, and motion sickness.

Finish Line: For a runner in the Comrades, it marks achievement and celebration. For animals on these ships, it ends in crowded feedlots and slaughter in countries with weak animal protections.

This isn't just trade—it's an institutional marathon of endurance and attrition.

05/06/2026

Today marks World Environment Day, with 2026's theme: “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.” As the Executive Director of the Coalition of African Animal Welfare Organisations (CAAWO), I highlight the crucial link between climate action and animal welfare—both are deeply connected. From severe droughts impacting livestock and wildlife in Africa to the environmental damage caused by intensive animal farming, the planet's signals are unmistakable. Achieving real climate resilience depends on transforming food systems and choosing compassionate, sustainable options. Let’s act by advocating humane policies, safeguarding biodiversity, and fostering resilient agricultural practices that honour both the Earth and its sentient creatures. Read our full World Environment Day perspective on www.caawo.org

Join CAAWO to protect animals, empower communities, and promote compassionate, sustainable living through advocacy, education, and legal reform across Africa.

04/03/2026

As we reflect on World Wildlife Day, CAAWO reiterates its dedication to Africa's unparalleled biodiversity. 'One Health' framework ensures that conservation efforts are integrated with human wellbeing and environmental sustainability, creating lasting impact.

23/02/2026

The latest FMD outbreaks in South Africa highlight the urgent need for a shift in agricultural policy. Our new blog examines how industrial animal agriculture contributes to disease spread and calls for systemic changes that benefit animal welfare, human health, and economic resilience.
hashtag
-

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

19/11/2025

Did you know that improving animal welfare can dramatically reduce the need for antimicrobials in farming? Healthier animals mean fewer infections and less antibiotic use – a win for animal health, food safety, and combating AMR!

This , CAAWO joins the global call: “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.” Better housing, nutrition, and animal care are powerful tools to prevent antimicrobial resistance.

Learn more about the vital link between animal welfare and AMR: https://wfa.org/WAAW25/

Together, let's build a healthier future for all.

03/11/2025

Join us for an inspiring global conversation on Sustainable Human-Animal Interactions!
Monday, November 3

10 AM (New York time) | 4 PM (South Africa)

As we observe One Health Day, explore how the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental wellbeing can drive meaningful change. This free virtual webinar, part of the "Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines" series supporting UNEA-7, features global experts sharing innovative strategies for ethical coexistence and resilient ecosystems.

Featuring:
– Dr Kimmy Cushman –
– Julia Adamson – of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas
– Wolf Gordon Clifton –
– Tozie Zokufa –
– Adeline Lerambert –
– Varda Mehrotra –
– Isaac Maina –
– Femke den Haas –
– Pei F. Su –

Hosted by , in collaboration with of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, & .

Let’s reimagine the future of human-animal relationships — for the planet, for communities and for all living beings.

Register now (it's free!) and be part of advancing sustainable solutions: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sustainable-human-animal-interactions-tickets-1744244254519?aff=erelexpmlt

13/10/2025

What a week at !

Together with colleagues from the Federation for Animals, we brought regional expertise and evidence-based solutions to key UN resolutions in New York.

We made the case: integrating animal welfare into the drives progress on climate, health, biodiversity, and livelihoods.

Better animal welfare = better future for all.