Working Animals International

Working Animals International (formerly the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad and The Society for the Protection of Animals in North Africa, abbreviated SPANA) is an international charity based in the United Kingdom that works to transform the lives of working animals, including horses, donkeys, mules, camels and other animals.

Working Animals International helps owners develop the knowledge and skills to care for their animals, increases access to veterinary care and campaigns for policy changes that help working animals[1].

In 2024, the charity reached 486,746 working animals in 22 countries. Working Animals International's registered charity number is 209015[2].

History

The Society for the Protection of Animals in North Africa was founded on 2 October 1923 by Kate Hosali and her daughter Nina Hosali following a tour of North Africa from November 1920 to April 1922[3]. During the tour, which included Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, they witnessed widespread suffering and malnourishment of working animals and were compelled to take action when they returned home.

The founding meeting was held at 105 Jermyn Street, London and the charity’s first President was Winifred Anna Cavendish-Bentinck, who held the role from 1923 until her death in 1954[4].

On 18 July 1991, SPANA was renamed The Society for the Protection for Animals Abroad so that it could expand its work beyond North Africa[5]. This included Mali in 1996, Mauritania in 2001, Ethiopia in 2003 and Zimbabwe in 2004[6].

On 15 June 2016, the charity launched International Working Animals Day – an annual day to raise awareness about the role that working animals play and the communities they support[7].

On 5 June 2022, a road in Nouakchott was named Rue SPANA in recognition of the charity’s work in Mauritania[8].

The charity celebrated its centenary on 2 October 2023[9].

On 22 April 2026, the organisation changed its name to Working Animals International to clarify its focus on working animals[10].

Supporters

Notable supporters of the charity include Lady Odile Slynn and Rupert de Mauley. Celebrity supporters include John Craven, and ambassadors Peter Egan[11], Brian Blessed[12], Dame Twiggy Lawson[13], Dr Marc Abraham[14], Dr James Greenwood[15], Deborah Meaden[16] and Jim Broadbent[17]. Jim Broadbent’s parents were friends of the charity's co-founder Nina Hosali[18].

References

  1. ^ "Aid working horses, donkeys, camels and oxen". Working Animals International. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  2. ^ "THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANIMALS ABROAD - Charity 209015". prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  3. ^ Hosali, Nina (1978). Kate who was called the Toubiba - The SPANA Story. The Society for the Protection of Animals in North Africa. ISBN 0950645001.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ Hosali, Nina (1978). Kate who was called the Toubiba - The SPANA Story. The Society for the Protection of Animals in North Africa. ISBN 0950645001.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. ^ "WORKING ANIMALS INTERNATIONAL filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  6. ^ "Our history". Working Animals International. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  7. ^ "International Working Animal Day". Days Of The Year. 15 June 2026. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  8. ^ "Road in Mauritania's capital city named in honour of animal charity SPANA's lifesaving work". www.vetclick.com. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  9. ^ May, Melanie (2 November 2023). "SPANA celebrates centenary – & almost 100 years of fundraising". UK Fundraising. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  10. ^ Adewale, Dami. "Spana changes its name to better reflect mission". www.thirdsector.co.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  11. ^ Hay, Allison (25 October 2019). ""On Strike": Stars speak up for working animals overseas in new charity film". My Weekly. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  12. ^ Hay, Allison (25 October 2019). ""On Strike": Stars speak up for working animals overseas in new charity film". My Weekly. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  13. ^ "Twiggy hooks in knitters for animal welfare charity". Horse & Hound. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  14. ^ Marcthevet. "Marcthevet". Marcthevet. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  15. ^ "Dr James Greenwood on working animals - Gateway 97.8". Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  16. ^ "Spana". Statamic. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  17. ^ "Jim Broadbent: My life-changing trip to visit donkeys in Morocco". The Independent. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  18. ^ Working Animals International (23 October 2023). Jim Broadbent talks about his connection with SPANA founders. Retrieved 18 May 2026 – via YouTube.

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