Kate and Nina Hosali founded the charity in 1923.

The animal-welfare charity SPANA is today (2 October) celebrating 100 years since it was founded to help working animals abroad.

British mother and daughter Kate and Nina Hosali were inspired to found the charity in the early 1920s, after travelling as tourists through North Africa. Although they enjoyed the sites of the rural farms and the busy markets, they were shocked by the poor condition of the donkeys and other working animals.

The animals were often malnourished, made to carry excessive loads, and had no access to professional veterinary care.

On their return to the UK, Kate and Nina founded the Society for the Protection of Animals in North Africa on 2 October 1923. Kate returned to North Africa, treating wounded animals and educating owners about animal welfare. Nina stayed in London to co-ordinate the charity’s activities.

During the 1980s and 1990s the charity expanded out of North Africa to cover more countries around the world, becoming the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad, although still maintaining the name SPANA.

SPANA is currently working in 23 countries to treat working animals and educate people about animal weflare, last year providing care to 306,412 animals. Recently, it has helped hundreds of animals injured by the earthquake which struck Morocco on 8 September.

Linda Edwards, chief executive of SPANA, said: “The world has changed so much since Kate and Nina began the work that we continue to this day. But what hasn’t changed is our determination to build a better future for working animals.
 
“The need for SPANA’s work is greater today than ever. The welfare of working animals is under severe threat from major global challenges such as climate change, increased political and economic instability, and rising global poverty.
 
“As we celebrate 100 years of SPANA’s critical work, we are looking to the future and are focused on delivering a true and lasting transformation to the lives of working animals across the world.”

Image (C) SPANA