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An amazing milestone was achieved this month as Canada became the first North American country to express support for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. We also bring you some updates on what our disaster relief teams achieved with your support after the recent natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region. Plus, spread some holiday cheer with a Really Wild Gift, and cast your vote for animals!

Canada says Animals Matter!

	See highlights of the debate >>

In a landmark decision on November 6, 2009, the Canadian parliament passed a Private Members' Motion which calls on the government to support (in principle) the development of a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.

This makes Canada a leader — we are the first North American country to express support for UDAW — and it means that Canada is one giant step closer to fully endorsing the campaign.

WSPA would like to thank the more than 75,000 Canadians who signed petitions and sent more than 20,000 letters to MPs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in support of this campaign. We could never have achieved this milestone without your help.

Read more >>

Operation overview: Disaster relief update from Asia-Pacific

	WSPA's Juan Carlos Murillo feeds dogs after the Samoa tsunami © WSPA

After a devastating series of natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region, WSPA's disaster relief teams were deployed to help the animals affected. Here's a roundup of news from the WSPA teams:

After the earthquakes in Indonesia, WSPA worked with member societies and local vets to provide hundreds of animals with emergency and basic treatment. Emergency first aid camps were set up for companion and domestic animals, and mineral blocks for cattle were distributed to livestock owners.

After the cyclones in the Philippines, there was severe flooding and damage to animal shelters, and 3,600 dogs were brought to evacuation centres. WSPA distributed emergency food, medicine and leashes, and worked with local vets to distribute supplies to the relief centres in each district.

After the tsunami in Samoa, the WSPA team, with member society the Animal Protection Society of Samoa, distributed hundreds of cans of cat and dog food to the six villages that were most affected by the tsunami.

WSPA's disaster relief teams have been kept busy, recently responding to severe flooding in Mexico and Vietnam, which has affected thousands of animals. Read more updates from WSPA's relief work >>

Thinking about holiday shopping? Think Really Wild Gifts!

WSPA's Really Wild Gifts help fund our life-saving programs in Canada and all over the world. You make a donation towards the animal of your choice, and the recipient receives an e-card telling them about the special gift you have made on their behalf.

You can choose which day you would like your e-card to be sent, and you will also receive a tax receipt for your donation. This year, in addition to sending your own personal message, you can choose from six different e-card images for each gift.

Our new Group Giving option is ideal for corporate holiday gifts or other large groups. These gifts allow you to make one donation and send the e-card to a list of email addresses, letting everyone know that you have made a gift in their honour.

Shop now >>

Don't forget to cast your vote for animals!

	samsāra Sketch Perforated Handbag in Cranberry, $130 © MATT & NAT

We're asking our supporters to help WSPA
receive as much money as possible from sales of
MATT & NAT's samsāra accessories range. A dollar from every bag sold goes towards one of four charities, and the money will be divided according to a public vote.

With the help of our supporters, over $18,000 has already been allocated to WSPA. The initiative ends on December 31st, so if you haven't done so already, visit www.sam-sara.org now and cast your vote for animals!

And while you're there, don't forget to check out the range of handbags and accessories — they're a great idea for an animal-friendly holiday gift!

Cast your vote and shop online now >>

Current appeal — this time it's your choice.

Right now we're raising funds for three of our programs that are urgently in need. Because these three programs are all in need at the same time, we are asking people to direct their donations to the program that they feel most strongly about.

Find out more and make your choice >>

		Help us rescue bears from the horrors of bear baiting Right now, 70 bears remain trapped in this cruel sport, where a bear is tied to a post and set upon by dogs.
		Help us stop bulls being tortured and killed Every year, hundreds of thousands of bulls die in bullfights, where a deliberately weakened bull is tormented before being slowly and painfully killed.
		Help us end the unnecessary suffering of stray dogs In Sierra Leone, outbreaks of disease can mean death for thousands of stray dogs, who may also suffer from hunger, injuries and mistreatment.