Working to protect working animals by providing veterinary services free of charge, feeding and hospitalizing sick animals and raising awareness of animal welfare amongst owners of animals and school children.

SPANA has been working in Jordan since 1987, initially through the JSPA, now in partnership with SPANA-Jordan. Its core function is to provide free veterinary care to the working animals of poor people. From its headquarters and base hospital in Wadi Al Seer, Amman, and a secondary centre in the Jordan Valley, mobile clinics cover nearly all of central and northern Jordan. Last year, its twenty-five staff, including veterinary surgeons, technicians and veterinary nurses treated over thirty-five thousand animals (over 27,000 equines as well as nearly 4,000 dogs and cats), all completely free of charge.

From the very beginning, SPANA has run a successful Education Programme to inform owners, train farriers and saddlers, and provide practical experience for veterinary students. However, perhaps the most exciting development is the construction of the Educational Animal Centre in Um-Quseir, East Amman, in co-operation with the Ministry of Education.

SPANA’s objective is to increase awareness of animal welfare and the need to protect Jordan’s fragile environment. The Centre provides opportunities to reinforce lessons about animals and their role in the environment, as taught in the curriculum and in the SPANA schools’ Animal Clubs. It will allow children, from an increasingly urban society, to experience live animals and nature in a controlled and supervised environment. The Centre has an exciting and innovative, interactive exhibition as well as a well-equipped and air-conditioned classroom with a fully trained staff.

Children are able to touch and feed farm animals kept in ideal conditions, as well as handling small animals and pets. There is an environmental pond to provide first-hand biology and ecology experience, and a guided nature trail through miniature versions of Jordan’s various habitats to explore. The beautiful butterfly gardens, along with shaded picnic and work areas provide a unique educational opportunity for the children of Jordan.

July 2010 - Young children in the Petra area are learning how to better take care of their animals and respect the Kingdom’s archaeological sites with the help of a new wildlife garden. Established by the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA), the wildlife garden seeks to revive Petra area children’s interest in school and teach respect for animals and the community.
Image: Children at the Um Sayhoun Primary School in the Petra area (photo by Rula Samain)

Built on 2,500 dunums of land, the wildlife garden is part of the Um Sayhoun Primary School and includes a pond and several kinds of flowers and plants in addition to nest boxes and pigeon coops to attract wildlife. Children receive classes on animal welfare in addition to the standard government curriculum in order to better prepare them to become productive members of their community. The garden was established in response to many complaints by tourists that children inflict abuse on animals while guiding visitors through the ancient Nabataean city. Many of the animals are starved, do not receive proper treatment and are overworked, negatively impacting tourists’ experiences.

“Our major concern is educating children about the environment in general and teaching them to respect and feel empathy towards animals,” SPANA CEO Jeremy Hulme said. “We hope the garden will benefit children and provide them with better alternatives and opportunities and stimulate awareness of their environment,” he added. Chris Larter, former SPANA clinic supervisor, said that children have been receptive at the classes on animal welfare.“After class, one boy saw his relative hitting a donkey with a stick, went over, took the stick and threw it away. This action speaks volumes,” Larter said.