Monkey with a collar chain around his neck.

Ending Wildlife Exploitation

Wild animals have a right to a wild life. Millions of wild animals are taken from their homes or bred in captivity each year to be exploited at tourist attractions, sold in pet stores, or killed for their body parts.

Marine mammals are held captive in tanks and forced to perform tricks for audiences. Reptiles, birds, amphibians, and small mammals are bred in warehouses where death and injury are seen as the cost of doing business to keep shelves stocked at pet stores. Globally, cruel industries such as big cat cub petting, elephant riding, bear bile farming, and trophy hunting persist.

We know change is possible. We are working to transform the systems that exploit, harm, and commercialize wild animals and fight to keep them in the wild where they belong.

Take action for wildlife

Recent wins

Quaker parakeets in a cage.

History Made! Easton Becomes PA’s First City to Ban Animal Sales in Pet Stores

Blog

Easton is the first city in Pennsylvania to ban the sale of most animals in pet stores. The new law applies to mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Liz Cabrera Holtz

Protesting for the ban of animal sales in West Hollywood.

HUGE NEWS! West Hollywood Just Banned the Sale of Animals in Pet Stores

Blog

West Hollywood is the first city in California to ban the sale of almost all animals in pet stores. The new law applies to mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, and hermit crabs.

Liz Cabrera Holtz

A grey mouse grazing on some greens in the wild.

Victory! Austin Prohibits Cruel Glue Traps From City Buildings

Blog

Austin, Texas took an important step in protecting mice and wild animals by prohibiting glue traps in city-owned buildings.

Liz Cabrera Holtz

Learn more

WAP staff assessing damage from a natural disaster.

Direct Intervention

We identify opportunities to aid animals affected by disasters, rescue animals from suffering and harm, and work with partner sanctuaries around the world who are caring for rescued animals.

A guinea pig with brown fur.

“Adopt, Don’t Shop” Shouldn’t Have Exceptions

We’re asking pet stores to stop selling animals because of the cruelty and suffering that occurs when animals are bred for profit.

Photo collage of wild animals.

Wildlife-Friendly Travel

Explore tips and information on responsible, animal-friendly travel, including our global Wildlife Heritage Areas program and global travel campaigns.