What is the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW)?

The Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare is an agreement among people and nations to recognise that animals are sentient and can suffer, to respect their welfare needs, and to end animal cruelty – for good.

 

What is the aim of the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW)?

To establish animal welfare as an issue of global importance as part of social development worldwide.

 

Background to the initiative

 

How governments can support the development of a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare

• Publicly state in principle support for the UDAW
• Nominate a representative at their Permanent Mission in New York to follow matters relating to the development of a UDAW
• Support the UDAW at the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• Support the UDAW within relevant forums at the United Nations
• Support the UDAW within regional inter-governmental forums

Download the suggested route to the United Nations (Route Map PDF)

 

Contact

For further information please contact udaw@wspa-international.org

 

Which governments and inter-governmental organisations already support the UDAW initiative?

The UDAW steering committee of Kenya, India, Costa Rica, Czech Republic and the Republic of the Philippines lead a group of governments whose officials have stated support, which also includes Fiji, Cambodia, Sweden, the Seychelles, Colombia, New Zealand, Australia, India, the UK, Bahrain, Croatia, Costa Rica and Thailand. This list will continue to grow and this website will be updated accordingly.

 

Veterinary Associations

World Veterinary Association (WVA)
Download Resolution (PDF)

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
Download Resolution (PDF)

The Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA)
Download Resolution (PDF)

The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE)
Download Resolution (PDF)

 

Animal Welfare Movement

WSPA acts as Secretariat for the UDAW initiative along with its key partners:

World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)	American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)	Compassion in World Farming (CIWF)
Humane Society International (HSI)	IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare).

 

The UDAW represents a common goal that all supporters of animal welfare can work towards. A growing number of animal welfare organisations from around the world have stated their support – click here to find out more.

 

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Resources

English
	Flyer
	Animal Welfare Matters: The case for a UDAW
	Value of Declarations
	Route Map
	Q&As
	Statement of Support
	Draft UDAW Text (2005)

 

Arabic
	Flyer
	Animal Welfare Matters: The case for a UDAW
	Value of Declarations
	Route Map
	Q&As
	Statement of Support
	Draft UDAW Text (2005)

 

Brazilian Portuguese
	Flyer
	Animal Welfare Matters: The case for a UDAW
	Value of Declarations
	Route Map
	Q&As
	Statement of Support
	Draft UDAW Text (2005)

 

French
	Flyer
	Animal Welfare Matters: The case for a UDAW
	Value of Declarations
	Route Map
	Q&As
	Statement of Support
	Draft UDAW Text (2005)

Korean
	Flyer
	Animal Welfare Matters: The case for a UDAW
	Value of Declarations
	Route Map
	Q&As
	Statement of Support
	Draft UDAW Text (2005)

 

Simplified Chinese
	Flyer
	Animal Welfare Matters: The case for a UDAW
	Value of Declarations
	Route Map
	Q&As
	Statement of Support
	Draft UDAW Text (2005)

 

Spanish
	Flyer
	Animal Welfare Matters: The case for a UDAW
	Value of Declarations
	Route Map
	Q&As
	Statement of Support
	Draft UDAW Text (2005)

 

Thai
	Flyer
	Animal Welfare Matters: The case for a UDAW
	Value of Declarations
	Route Map
	Q&As
	Statement of Support
	Draft UDAW Text (2005)