Covid-19 is a viral pandemic that has affected global citizens, economies, trade and animal welfare worldwide. The outbreak of the virus has been likely linked to wildlife sold at a ‘wet market’ in Wuhan, China. The speculation on the source of Covid-19 still needs to be scientifically proven, but the origin of the virus being a wildlife market in Wuhan is entirely plausible, given that it has been widely accepted from the scientific community that Covid-19 is a zoonotic disease meaning it originated from animals. 

A zoonosis is any disease or infection that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans. SARS jumped to humans from civet cats, which are also sold in markets as pets and for consumption, and MERS was transmitted to humans from camels. Avian influenza, Ebola, HIV and many other Emerging Infectious Diseases originated in animals and were transmitted to humans. Zoonoses originating from wildlife pose huge public health, biosafety and even global security risks. These markets sell wild animals, dog and cat meat, cattle and other farmed animals, both dead and alive with little or no hygiene practices or regulation.

1.     Reduce the number of animals farmed for food

2.     Reduce trade and transport of animals and animal products

3.     Reduce demand for animal products like meat, dairy, eggs and textiles

We can all #LiveKinder. Kinder in what we eat and how we treat animals and the planet. Small actions, can have a big impact. Swapping your beef burger for a plant-based alternative, walking to work instead of driving or even stopping buying fast fashion can all make a big impact.

Through #LiveKinder, we want to:

• Call on the UK government to secure a global wildlife trade ban and end the import and export of wild animals into the UK
• End the dog and cat meat trade in Southeast Asia
• Outlaw ‘mega farms’ in the UK and commit to a 50% reduction in meat consumption nationwide
• Highlight the importance of responsible pet ownership during lockdown

Speak up for animal welfare, here.

To protect animals and our planet we can all be kinder. Kinder in what we eat, what we wear and how we treat the world. Small actions, can have a big impact. Swapping your beef burger for a plant-based alternative, walking to work instead of driving or even stopping buying fast fashion can all make a big impact. Collectively we have the power to protect animals and the planet, but we need to #LiveKinder now.