By Dr. Sabine Brels, Founding Director of World Animal Justice (WAJ)
It is with immense pride and excitement that I unveil a groundbreaking initiative to transform animal protection advocacy globally, starting in the Asia-Pacific region. I am thrilled to announce the launch of the WAJ Database App for Asia-Pacific! This innovative tool, a product of the Asia-Pacific Animal Law Overview (APALO) project, compiles anti-cruelty laws for every country in Asia, along with Australia and New Zealand. It is free to explore until December 20, 2024, providing invaluable support to animal advocacy work and gathering feedback for future improvements.
This database empowers policymakers, legal professionals, animal advocates, and the general public with critical knowledge to advance animal protection and enforce laws against cruelty.
Access the WAJ App of Asia-Pacific Animal Laws here: https://app.worldanimaljustice.org
Why Accessing Anti-Cruelty Laws is Essential
The fight against animal cruelty is universal, but enforcing anti-cruelty laws remains a significant challenge, particularly in Asia. Legal frameworks vary widely, and access to clear, reliable information is often limited. Critical questions like Which animals are protected? What acts are prohibited? What penalties apply? frequently go unanswered, leaving advocates at a disadvantage.
The APALO project bridges this gap by centralizing and organizing information on anti-cruelty laws across the Asia-Pacific region. This effort reflects our commitment to making the legal protection of animals more transparent, actionable, and enforceable.
A Vision for Change: Unique Database App on Animal Laws
Launched in April 2024 by WAJ in collaboration with the Institute for Animal Law of Asia (IALA) and with support from the Asia for Animals Coalition (AfA), the Asia-Pacific Animal Law Overview (APALO) project marks the first step in an ambitious vision to create a global database of animal protection laws. The Asia-Pacific region, identified as a high-priority area, was our starting point due to the urgent need for legal resources for animal advocacy and animal law enforcement.
This project provides answers to essential questions for animal advocates:
What anti-cruelty laws are in force in each country?
What are the direct links to access these laws?
Who is protected?
What acts of cruelty are prohibited?
What are the penalties for violations?
The APALO Database brings this information to life in a centralized, user-friendly format, enabling more effective advocacy, enforcement, and policy reform.
A Global Vision: Expanding this Animal Law Database Worldwide
While the Asia-Pacific database is a critical milestone, WAJ’s vision extends far beyond this region. A global animal law database is urgently needed. Across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania, advocates face similar challenges navigating complex and inconsistent legal frameworks. Existing databases, such as those developed by Global Animal Law and World Animal Protection NGOs, have not been updated since 2020, despite significant legal changes in the past four years.
WAJ aims to expand the database to include all types of animal protection laws, covering topics such as companion animals, farm animals, animals used in science, wild animals, and animals exploited for entertainment or labor. Building on the success of the Asia-Pacific database, we are committed to creating a comprehensive and global resource to unify advocacy efforts and drive legal reform worldwide.
How Can You Help? Take Part in the World Animal Justice Movement
Creating and maintaining a resource of this scale requires collective effort. As laws evolve, and new countries are added, ongoing support is essential. Here’s how you can contribute:
1. Provide Feedback
Explore the database and share your insights. Your feedback will help us refine and improve this tool.
2. Suggest Additions
Help keep the database accurate by submitting new laws or updates through the app’s “Add Law” feature. Your contributions ensure this resource remains comprehensive.
3. Support Our Mission
WAJ relies on the generosity of donors and partners to sustain this project. Contributions will allow us to:
Expand the database to more countries and laws.
Add systematic summaries of prohibitions and penalties.
Regularly update content to reflect legislative changes.
Support WAJ’s efforts today: Click here to donate!
4. Spread the Word
Share the database with your networks to amplify its impact and encourage others to join this vital cause.
An Invitation to Explore
I invite you to explore the Asia-Pacific Animal Law Database today. This initial version is free to access until December 20, 2024, and is an invaluable resource for anyone working to protect animals, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Together, we can use this tool to combat animal cruelty and drive meaningful change.
🌐 Discover the database here: WAJ Asia-Pacific Animal Law Database
Conclusion: A Future of Hope for Animals
As the founding director of WAJ, I am immensely proud of the APALO project, developed entirely through pro bono efforts from animal law experts. This database is more than a collection of laws—it is a beacon of hope for animals in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
To ensure its growth and continued impact, financial support is urgently needed. This first version, focused on Asia-Pacific, demonstrates what is possible when knowledge is centralized and made accessible. Now, we must build on this momentum to expand the database globally, fostering a world where every animal is protected under the law.
Animal protection is not a secondary issue—it is a humane responsibility. Proper enforcement of laws is essential to ensure justice for all living beings. With your help, we can make this vision a reality.
Join us today to create a future where animal protection laws are stronger, better enforced, and globally accessible. Together, we can make history for animals.
Thank you for being part of this movement to create a world of justice for all animals!
Links and Resources
Explore the Database: WAJ Asia-Pacific Animal Law Database
Support the WAJ Database: Donate here
Learn More: APALO Comparative Analysis - WAJ Blog
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BONUS: FREE WEBINARS ON CRIMINAL ANIMAL JUSTICE – WATCH NOW!
Ready to Dive into the Fight Against Crimes Against Animals?Discover the World Animal Justice Expert Webinar Series on International Criminal Law and Animals – a one-of-a-kind resource now available to watch for free!
👉 Access all WAJ Experts Webinars here: WAJ Webinars on Criminal Justice and Animals
Join leading experts as they explore the groundbreaking concept of “criminal animal justice.” Learn about crimes against animals worldwide and the urgent need for international legal reform.
Please click on the images to access the recordings!
Why Criminal Animal Justice Matters
The Bigger Picture: Trillions of animals suffer annually through cruelty — whether in farming, laboratories, trafficking, or as victims of hunting, blood-shows and other criminal practices legally justified by the business of animal exploitation, or the culture of traditional abuses.
The WAJ Mission: WAJ aims to have “crimes against animality” and “zoocide” recognized in international criminal law to significantly advance the international legal protection of animals as systematic victims or massives crimes, by analogy with ‘crimes against humanity’ and ‘genocide’ for humans.
A Global Call to Action: WAJ stands that the law has a key role to play for the use of non-animal products and methods to be promoted and made mandatory anytime alternatives to animal products and methods are available, as to prohibit any form of objectively avoidable human-induced animal suffering.
International Advocacy: WAJ works through international and UN platforms like the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to make this vision a reality.
Don’t Miss This Opportunity
These webinars are for anyone passionate about justice for animals— advocates, students, policymakers, and more.
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Don’t miss the chance to register for the upcoming WAJ expert webinar on 13 December!
Please click on the images to access the registration link!
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