Environment

Humans and animals depend on healthy, functioning ecosystems. Natural ecosystems play an essential role in regulating climate, air, water and infectious diseases, while animals’ biological processes also contribute to the sustainability of ecosystems.

Poor environmental health affects both human health and animal health. Practices harmful to the environment, such as habitat destruction and pollution, are also detrimental to the welfare of individual animals. Many diseases can be transmitted between domestic animals, wildlife and humans.

 

RSPCA International and the environment

We work to integrate animal welfare into conservation, and development policies and projects, internationally. Rabies prevention strategies are incorporated into stray and wild dog management protocols, and we advise governments on programmes.
 

We cooperate with local communities to provide animal-friendly solutions to problems which cause human-wildlife conflict like crop raiding, such as the use of chilli dung fences to keep out elephants. At the same time, we work with our wildlife department and external agencies to develop research and policy on captive wildlife. We also provide training for customs, police and wildlife officials on species investigation, animal handling and welfare, and techniques for investigating wildlife crime.
 

In disaster response, we are world experts in dealing with oiled wildlife.

We advise on wildlife rehabilitation, and organise visits to UK wildlife rehabilitation and education centres for overseas visitors.

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