Industry Conservation | Website ifaw.org Number of employees 250 | |
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Type Non-profit Organization Key people Azzedine Downes, Kathleen Savesky Products Landmark & framework legislation, research, activism. Headquarters Yarmouth Port, Yarmouth, Massachusetts, United States CEO Azzedine Downes (1 Jan 2013–) Revenue 97.08 million USD (2013 Annual Report) Similar World Wide Fund for Nature, World Animal Protection, The Humane Society of, Wildlife Trust of India, People for the Ethical Treatmen Profiles | ||
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is one of the largest animal welfare and conservation charities in the world.
Contents
The group's declared mission is to "rescue and protect animals around the world."
History
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) was founded by a small group of people in 1969, to stop the commercial hunt for seal pups in Canada. One of IFAW's founders, and possibly its most well known member, is Brian Davies.
With offices in over a dozen countries, and projects in more than 40 IFAW is one of the largest animal welfare organisations in the world.
Activities
IFAW is best known for its leading role in the campaigns to end the commercial seal hunt in Canada and end commercial whaling, as well as its work to help dogs and cats in impoverished communities, protect elephants, end illegal ivory trade, rescue and release of wild animals such orphan rhinos and rescue of animals in the wake of disasters such as hurricane Katrina in the US.
Controversy and criticism
A financial manager of the Brian Davies Foundation, IFAW invested IFAW's money in organizations that carried out animal experiments, such as Bausch & Lomb, US Surgicals, Glaxo, Merck, Abbot, Upjohn, Philip Morris and McDonald's. When the investment was drawn to the attention of IFAW’s trustees, the shares were sold immediately and the financial manager dismissed.
When Davies retired from IFAW in 1997 to start Network For Animals, IFAW wanted to use his name and image for fundraising and campaigns. In return, he was to receive $2.5 million over seven years. The contract was important for the continued level of success that IFAW achieved with Davies’ leadership, according to research on successful animal welfare organizations”. Davies had the following to say about it: “I signed an agreement with IFAW which was conceived by the trustees. I was opposed to the idea of receiving remuneration from two animal welfare organisations; this solution allowed me to run Network For Animals without pay for seven years.”