European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE)(1990 - cosmetic testing)

ECEAE was formed by organizations across Europe to successfully campaign to ban cosmetics testing on animals. Today it advocates on all animal testing issues in Europe. The ECEAE pulls together extensive expertise, experience and knowledge from major European animal protection organizations. It work with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and officials to ensure that animals in laboratories are high on the European political agenda, and carries out imaginative campaigning. It also runs public education campaigns and works with companies to encourage them to go cruelty free.

Positives:

• Integrated campaign/lobby
• Work based on investigations, thorough research and science.
• Opinion polls
• Imaginative and media-attractive campaigns – at EU and national levels

European Network for Farm Animal Protection (ENFAP)(1993, as a coalition - battery cages, and then the European Coalition for Farm Animals)

The European Coalition for Farm Animals (ECFA) was a pan-European coalition, consisting of 30 animal welfare groups in 25 different countries, established by CIWF. ECFA advocacy linked professional lobbying with creative and imaginative campaigning – developing a powerful, collaborative force for change. It was changed into the European Network for Farm Animal Protection (ENFAP) in 2013, and is now a collaboration of animal protection groups from across Europe working together to advocate for improvements in farm animal welfare.

Positives:

• Strategic Advocacy – planned pathways to eventual goals, and strict prioritization of issues.
• Integrated research/investigation/report/campaign/lobby.
• Imaginative campaigning – good use of celebrities and media opportunities.
• Campaigns – EU and national levels.

International Companion Animal Management Coalition (ICAM)

ICAM was established to support the development and use of humane and effective companion animal population management worldwide. Based on ICAM's emphasis on information sharing, ICAM could also be considered a network. Its goals are:

• To share ideas and data.
• To discuss issues relevant to population management and welfare.
• To agree definitions and hence improve understanding.
• To provide guidance as a collegial and cohesive group.

Positives:

• Excellent resources, guidance and expertise
• Sharing 'best practices'

Species Survival Network (SSN) - 1992

SSN is an international coalition of over eighty non-governmental organizations (NGOs) committed to the promotion, enhancement, and strict enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Through scientific and legal research, education and advocacy, the SSN is working to prevent over-exploitation of animals and plants due to international trade.

The SSN coordinates the activities of conservation, environmental and animal protection organizations around the world to secure CITES protection for plants and animals affected by international trade. Its work includes education and outreach to provide organizations from around the world with the information they need to participate in the CITES process.

SSN's legal and scientific research and analysis provide CITES Parties and the general public with the information they can use to better understand the proposals and resolutions considered for adoption by the Parties and the impact that their decisions may have on the survival of species.

Positives:

• Legal and scientific research.
• A platform which facilitates representation and input at CITES.
• Working groups on key species include global expertise and advice.

Fur Free Alliance

FFA is an international coalition of animal protection organizations working to bring an end to the exploitation and killing of animals for their fur. It seeks to bring an end to the killing and exploitation of all animals for their fur by raising public awareness about the cruelty and negative environmental impacts associated with the global fur trade.

It plans to achieve these aims by:

• Informing the public about the substantial animal suffering caused by the fur industry.
• Advancing legislative actions and in-depth investigations as needed.
• Targeting consumers and the fashion industry to encourage readily available alternatives.
• Working nationally and internationally through joint or individual campaigns.

Positives:

• Collaborative advocacy on an issue of shared concern.
• In-depth investigations.
• Public awareness.
• National and international campaigns.

International Coalition for Animal Welfare (ICFAW) - 2001

ICFAW was formed to represent non-governmental animal welfare organizations from across the world at the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). It is composed of organizations that share the primary objectives of preventing cruelty to animals and relieving their suffering (albeit that they use different strategies depending on the nature of the task, and the region and country in which they work).

The coalition plays an important role in the OIE in four ways:

• They contribute to the decision-making process in drawing up guidelines by having experts on the working groups, and offering comments, advice and information.
• An expert from one of ICFAW member organizations is a member of the OIE working group on animal welfare.
• ICFAW members work in over 150 countries worldwide raising standards of animal welfare and assisting in implementing the agreed OIE guidelines through training, technology transfer and grant aided funds. [An overview of this work was presented to the OIE General assembly in May 2009.]
• The coalition produces position statements on issues such as private standards or chickens bred for meat

The member organizations of ICFAW have together hundreds of years of experience in dealing with animal welfare, work in 150 countries worldwide, employ over 2,000 members of staff including over a hundred scientists and veterinarians and have millions of supporters. They work on all the issues on which the OIE is drawing up guidelines (wildlife, companion animals, animals used for scientific purposes and farm animals), provide standards for and audit a private standards scheme (Freedom Food) and assist developing countries with implementing the agreed OIE guidelines.

Positives:

• Permits animal protection organizations from across the world to have an input into the development of the OIE’s international AW standards.
• Provides a platform where represented animal protection organizations can play a role in supporting implementation of the OIE AW standards.
• Provides a linkage between animal protection organizations and the OIE’s AW Working Group.

The International Council on Animal Protection in OECD Programs (ICAPO)

Since 2002, animal protection has had a formal voice at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an influential international organization that develops guidelines and programs for the testing of chemicals. The OECD's testing-related activities historically have relied heavily on animal-based methods. The International Council on Animal Protection in OECD Programs (ICAPO) works to fully incorporate alternative methods that can replace, reduce, and refine animal use (the ‘Three Rs’) in OECD activities, in the interest of animal protection, public health and sound science.

Positives:

• Permits animal protection organizations from across the world to have an input into OECD guidelines and programs.
• Provides a focus for the incorporation of the 3Rs in public policy.

National Link Coalition

The National Link Coalition (USA) seeks to develop greater awareness of how family and community violence are interconnected with animal abuse in what is called ‘The Link’, and to build successful programs whereby agencies in these fields can cross-report and cross-train each other for more effective prevention of violence.

Led by a steering committee of nationally-renowned experts in the prevention of all forms of family violence, the National Link Coalition is an informal, multidisciplinary collaborative network of individuals and organizations in human services and animal welfare who address the intersections between animal abuse, domestic violence, child maltreatment, and elder abuse through research, public policy, programming and community awareness.

Positives:

• Facilitates the development of information and expertise on 'The Link'.
• Encourages collaborative, cross-discipline programs for the prevention of violence.
• Provides an opportunity for 'insider advocacy' on animal welfare aspects of 'The Link' thus promoting and encouraging appropriate policy development.