Improving the health and welfare of animals worldwide

The relationship between humans and animals is essential to millions of people around the world who depend on their animals for an income and their survival, but a combination of poverty and necessity leads to poor animal health and welfare.

SPANA has been caring for the world's working animals since 1923, founded by Kate Hosali and her daughter Nina, after they witnessed the mistreatment of animals on their travels through North Africa. They realized much of the suffering was due to the extreme poverty of the animal owners, lack of medicines and education, and so set up a service to help these animals. SPANA works in poor communities around the world, where animals are relied on to carry goods to markets, plough fields, fetch water and transport people. We believe that by ensuring animals are healthy and well cared for, we can also help those families and communities that rely on them for their livelihoods. SPANA has permanent centres in eight countries, with 22 mobile clinics operating worldwide. Our outreach and emergency programme has funded operations in more than 25 countries over the years. SPANA aims to improve the health and welfare of animals through three main areas of work: veterinary care, veterinary training and education.