So you want to help the animal conservation and protection movement, but you're not sure what to do, where to go, who to talk to.  Enter WorldAnimal.net, an extensive network of animal protection societies with over 3,000 affiliates in more than 100 countries.   WorldAnimal.net's directory and website helps connect with animal organization across the world and even offers resources and ways to campaign for animal education, animal rights, animal rescue, and more. 

Wim de Kok, who maintains WorldAnimal.net's large directory was kind enough to offer some facts about the network and site for our Paw-Talk readers.

What kind of animal groups affiliate themselves with you?

Big and small, local and national, animal rights and animal welfare. The only requirement is that they work through legal means.

Why do you have offices in more than one location?

We feel that we can better service organizations when we have familiarity with the region, and we aim for a worldwide spread.

What are some of the biggest animal issues across the globe today?

Global warming through livestock farming, illegal wildlife trade, animals in circuses

How can other groups use WorldAnimal.net for their benefit to help in campaigns on these issues?

Use our online resources and find other groups to cooperate with by exchanging knowledge, information and experience.

Tell me about the WAN Directory and WAN Resources pages.

The World Animal Net Directory is the largest and most up to date list of animal protection organizations that is available today. Every organization should be listed.

The Directory provides links to over 10,000 animal protection web sites.

The resources pages serve to provide fundamental knowledge about how to run an effective organization or how to know the basics of animal protection, so people do not have to reinvent the wheel. WAN is operated by people who have a joint experience of over 100 years in the movement.

Describe some of the campaign resources animal protection groups can use for their benefit?

The Directory can be used to find other groups, but also to get ideas for campaigning and programs from the linked web sites of these organizations.

• Animal Protection Law - section provides background on legislation which should ultimately be the result of our work. Prevention is important.
• Constitution Project - for fundamental rights for animals
• Funding Grants - how to find funding for programs
• Humane Education - change of attitudes is fundamental for change
• Jobs & Volunteering – for those who want to make a career in animal protection

Can the average person who is an animal rights activist (not part of any group) benefit from WorldAnimal.net?

Find a group to work with or find a group that can help you to work alone. Inform yourself about the issues and be an example to others.

What are the future goals of WorldAnimal.net?

We are building a new web site which will draw a bigger audience, thus increasing network opportunities. We will continue to be a resource for animal protection around the world.