The combination of campaigning, creating awareness, securing legislation, and saving animals is at the heart of ADI’s work. Together these combined strategies bring lasting change for animals. Here we look back at some of our activity over the past month, as we continue to work around the world for animals.

Ruben’s new world: Ruben, the lonely lion we rescued from Armenia, continues to inspire us all. His incredible determination when walking is clear, and his all-round mobility is improving. This month, following an examination by veterinarian Dr Caldwell, Ruben was given access to the next section of his habitat at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a larger, more challenging, half-acre space with grassy slopes up to a platform, trees, and longer grass. It will help build his muscles. It was magical seeing this old warrior, who has endured so much, really looking at home in Africa.  More…

Cosmetics testing victories: Chile’s Senate has voted unanimously to ban animal testing for cosmetics, as well as the manufacturing, import, and marketing of cosmetics tested on animals elsewhere. In addition, Canada’s ban on testing for cosmetics and sale of newly animal-tested cosmetics came into effect December 22nd. The Canadian government also amended the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to phase out toxicity testing on animals which, if effectively implemented, could have a huge impact.
Help call for a ban in the US! Urge your Congress members to support the Humane Cosmetics Act (HR5399).

Brookline became the fifteenth town in Massachusetts to ban wild animals in traveling acts, passing with overwhelming support. It remains shocking that the US is behind some 50 countries with national animal circus bans, but steady progress is being made at local and state levels.
HELP GET A NATIONWIDE BAN: Please urge your Congress members to call for and support the reintroduction of the Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act. If you live in Massachusetts, please urge Committee Chairs to support the passage of state bills H3245 / S2189 / S2197. 

Will you host an ADI screening in 2024? ADI supporters in Los Angeles enjoyed a special preview of ‘Inside Liberty’, a 90-minute documentary about ADI’s Operation Liberty to empty Guatemala’s circus cages. The audience got an idea of the huge challenges ADI faced and it was wonderful to hear their laughter as they watched the lions and tigers play for the first time, and quite a few happy tears as they stepped out into their new homes. Tim and I hosted a Q&A at this inspiring event, showing just what we can achieve together. Please get in touch if you would like to host a screening with us from April 2024 onwards. 

Roosevelt and Churchill (two pot-bellied pigs) became our latest ADI Wildlife Sanctuary residents when they arrived just in time for Christmas. The adorable 5-year-old brothers are extremely friendly and were initially rescued from a pet shop. With nowhere for them to go, they joined our growing community of rescued misfits which includes donkeys, goats, sheep, and Matilda the cow.

Miserable reindeer at Novikov Restaurant, London: ADI continues to campaign against the use of reindeer as Christmas events. They are trucked around the country in transporters and then forced to sit all day in tiny pens in town centers. Keep urging venues to stick to inanimate decorations!

Our ADI Latin America team continues to tour Colombia to raise awareness about the country’s animal experiments – particularly malaria experiments on owl monkeys. On one stop, they spoke to 140 children from the first and second grade of San Cristobal Sur IED School!

Veterinary care at ADIWS: Most of the health challenges our rescued residents face is a result of their tragic past. Jade suffers from spondylitis, as a result of in-breeding and malnutrition in the circus, giving her a stiff stepping motion. However, she recently had a cut on her paw and was hospitalized – it was almost certainly the result of boisterous play. She’s back with her sisters and as lively as ever! Dr Caldwell was at the Sanctuary for one of his multi-patient veterinary days. He sedated 21-year-old Leo to trim two overgrown claws and has prescribed medicine to help Leo’s mobility. We held our breath as he examined a lump near Leo’s tail and were relieved it was a hernia which is not troubling him. Ruben had a full physical examination before being cleared to use the larger section of his habitat. Lupe had a sore spot on her abdomen checked. If you missed the Facebook lives from the day, you can see them here. 

Baby donkey at ADIWS: After being abandoned at a holiday lodge which closed, a family of donkeys arrived at the Sanctuary last year. Little did we know one of them was already pregnant – a donkey pregnancy can last up to 14 months! Mom gave birth to a beautiful foal named Nugget in December. Now it appears that another female is looking large and there may be another baby on the way!

The landmark US Endangered Species Act, passed 50 years ago, has helped save the bald eagle, gray wolf, humpback whale, southern sea otter, green sea turtle, grizzly bear, and many other species from extinction. It has, however, suffered many attacks to weaken it. Please urge President Joe Biden to fully restore the Endangered Species Act so that it can continue to protect, conserve, and recover wildlife.

If you missed the videos of the ADIWS residents and our rescued animals in Peru enjoying their festive treats, you can watch the lions, tigers and other Sanctuary residents here and monkeys, coatis and bears here.
 
We look forward to sharing campaigns and progress for animals with you, over the coming year. To support the range of our work for animals please donate here.  

Thank you so much for your support.