The one thing that hasn’t changed during this time of uncertainty is that animals still need us. We can’t put our work to save them on hold, especially when there is an opportunity to help reduce the risk of another pandemic in the future.

It's both urgent and crucial that countries around the world permanently ban wildlife trade transport and consumption to reduce the risk of deadly viruses, like COVID-19, from spreading to humans via live animal markets. In the past, wildlife markets have spawned other global health epidemics, including SARS and the deadly bird flu. You can be a part of the solution that helps this from happening again.

The wildlife trade not only poses a threat to public health – but it also jeopardizes the survival and welfare of billions of animals every year, including threatened and endangered species. These animals are often killed simply to be sold as food, a decoration, a piece of jewellery or a symbol of wealth or they suffer horribly only to end up in a life of captivity.

Human Society International is ramping up efforts to persuade governments around the world to pass laws for better protection for wild animals, including encouraging them to enact and enforce comprehensive bans on wildlife trade transport and consumption. Let us conduct practical rescue and rehabilitation of animals such as pangolins, parrots, monkeys, crocodiles and others caught in this cruel trade.

Please sign this petition and get the government to take urgent and rigorous measures banning all wet markets in Europe, as well as to put political pressure on countries keeping traditions with such savage markets around the world.

Thank you so much for caring about animals and doing whatever you can to help, especially during this difficult time.