For every purchase you make via our website, Critter Cottage donates $1.00 to each of the following animal charities on your behalf:

World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) For a world where animal welfare matters, and animal cruelty ends.

A key area of WSPA‘s work has been the introduction of animal welfare principles into regions where they were previously under developed or non-existent, such as introducing procedures to ensure the humane slaughter of livestock in many developing countries and running numerous projects to improve the conditions of stray animal populations.

A few highlights from WSPA’s first 25 years include:

* The eradication of bear dancing in Greece and Turkey.
* For the first time, a Spanish city (Barcelona), declared itself as “anti-bullfight”.
* From Sri Lanka to Afghanistan and Pakistan to The Caribbean, hundreds of thousands of animals have been rescued and treated in disaster relief efforts all over the world.
* First ever animal welfare legislation introduced in Taiwan. For the first time, it is illegal in Taiwan to abuse, maltreat or abandon an animal.
* Bear sanctuaries funded and built in India, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, Greece, USA and Hungary.
* Mobile veterinary clinics delivered to member organisations in Africa, Europe, South America, The Caribbean and Asia.
* ‘Pet Respect’ programmes launched in over 40 countries worldwide to improve the welfare of stray and pet animals.
* Vietnamese Government agreement to phase out bear farming.
* Great ape sanctuaries funded in Sierra Leone, The Congo and Spain.

Our beliefs

WSPA believes that animals have biologically determined instincts, interests and natures, and can experience pain and suffering.

It is our conviction that each individual animal has intrinsic value, and that it is the responsibility of humans to ensure that their welfare is respected and protected.

We believe that animals should live their lives free from avoidable suffering at the hands of humans; rather than be used inhumanely as ‘raw materials’ for the benefit of mankind.

WSPA insists that all animals owned by, or under the control of humans, should be kept in conditions appropriate to the needs of the species. Where the physiological and behavioural needs of a species cannot be met, the animals should not be kept.

General principles

Animal welfare is defined by both the physical and psychological state of an animal and the conditions in which it lives.

The welfare of an animal can be described as good if the individual is fit, healthy and free from suffering.

WSPA assesses the welfare of animals using the Five Freedoms (FAWC 2003):

• Freedom from hunger and thirst
• Freedom from discomfort
• Freedom from pain, injury and disease
• Freedom from fear and distress
• Freedom to express normal behaviour

These represent a useful ‘checklist’ to quickly identify situations which compromise good animal welfare - that is, any situation that causes fear, pain, discomfort, injury, disease or behavioural distress.

Welfare is a consideration only to living animals; the method of killing animals is critical as it can often cause extreme pain and distress before death intervenes, rather than an instant humane kill.

Protecting animals involves the prevention of unnecessary suffering, ensuring a good quality of life or a humane death. The key difference between conservation and animal welfare is that conservation focuses on species, populations and habitats, whereas animal welfare focuses on the individual animal.

For more information go to http://www.wspa.com

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Animals Asia Foundation "The mission of the Animals Asia Foundation is to improve the lives of all animals in Asia, end cruelty and restore respect for animals Asia-wide."

Animals Asia Foundation is a Hong Kong-based government-registered animal welfare charity founded by Jill Robinson MBE in 1998. It also has charitable status in UK, USA, Germany and Australia with donations being tax-deductible in these countries. It has additional offices in China.

As of 2005, Animals Asia had 17 full-time employees working in the Head Office in Hong Kong. Apart from UK and Germany that have offices, that consist of employees and volunteers working out of their homes in Australia, USA and New Zealand.

In China, we employee 2 full-time vets, 3 vet nurses, 2 bear managers, 12 management staff and over 100 administrative staff and workers. As our Sanctuary grows and we open to the public, this number will grow.

Our Mission and Vision

Asia Based

Asia Focussed

Forging Asian Solutions

The Animals Asia Foundation is devoted to the needs of wild, domesticated and endangered species throughout the Asian continent.

Our Mission
"The mission of the Animals Asia Foundation is to improve the lives of all animals in Asia, end cruelty and restore respect for animals Asia-wide."

Our Vision
Change for all animals, inspired by empathy for the few.

Our animal ambassadors embody the ideal that empathy for one animal can evolve into empathy for an entire species and ultimately for all species.

Our Approach
The Animals Asia Foundation, managed by professionals, resident in Asia, is committed to forging constructive solutions to the seemingly insurmountable problems which the animals face in today's changing environment. Implementation is through a dynamic three-pronged approach:

Investigation: Using the latest veterinary techniques, animal care and conservation science, our network of field officers target countries in Asia, identifying local needs and finding solutions for the animals.

Negotiation: Cultivating sensitive communication and cooperation with governments to open the door to visionary win-win solutions.

Education: Creating inspired grass roots programmes within the community, which spark far reaching change in people's attitudes, thus motivating them to co-exist peacefully with animals.

For more information go to http://www.animalsasia.org

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Mission To prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection. Vision To be the leading authority in animal care and protection.

RSPCA Australia believes that man must treat animals humanely. Where man makes use of animals or interferes with their habitat, he should bestow a level of care befitting man's own dignity as a rational, intelligent, compassionate being, and a level of care merited by the nature of the animal as a sentient creature capable of responding to man's care and attention. Such care should be marked by sympathy, consideration, compassion and tenderness towards animals.

RSPCA Australia believes that national and international adoption of set minimum standards of treatment and husbandry, and the observance of the following points, will enable all species of animals to live according to their behavioural needs as provided by a compassionate and responsible community:

1. Animals have an intrinsic value of their own and, accordingly must be considered to possess the right to live in a way which enables them to have a positive life and to develop and enjoy their inherent qualities.

2. No animal should be used for the production of food or fibre, either by farming practice, transportation, or method of slaughter which in any way may cause suffering, injury or distress.

3. No animal should be used for sport or the entertainment of man when such use may increase the risk of injury, suffering or distress to the animals, or is contrary to its nature.

4. Animals should not be used in direct combat, either one against the other or in warfare.

5. Animals should not be used in experiments which inflict pain or suffering upon them and which are not essential for the benefit of man or animals. The use of animals should be replaced by reliable alternative techniques immediately they become available.

6. No animal should be used in excessive breeding programs or programs which produce deformed or weak offspring.

7. Domestic animals must be effectively protected from adverse weather conditions, predators and disease.

8. Domestic animals must be kept in such a way which will enable them to socialise, move freely, stretch, lie down, and have access to clean water, a suitable balanced food supply, and to prophylactic and corrective medicines.

9. Native animals and birds shall be maintained safely in their natural environment and shall be free from hunting, trapping and captivity. Culling may occur, but only when proven necessary for the preservation and benefit of the species. Culling must only be carried out under proper supervision and control.

10. Any animal suffering from disease, injury, or debilitation, must be given first aid or appropriate veterinary attention quickly. If the affliction cannot be cured, or if it involves permanent and serious disability, the animal must be humanely destroyed.

11. The State shall enact and enforce laws, regulations and codes for protecting animals from exploitation, and for ensuring that their basic individual needs are maintained at all times and that their environment is kept free from illegal or irresponsible intrusion.

12. The State shall also develop and implement suitable educational programs or ensure that man's responsibility towards animals is taught in all schools and in the wider community.

Man has an obligation to protect the interests of animals at all times. He should be encouraged to willingly accept this obligation. But, if he does not do so, then the force of the law should be used to ensure that all animals are treated humanely.

For more information, go to: http://www.rspca.org.au

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