ANTÓNIO Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, recently announced “scientists have just confirmed that May 2024 was the hottest May in history, marking 12 straight months of the hottest months ever. Our planet is trying to tell us something, but we don’t seem to be listening.”

Meanwhile, the World Bank estimates that by 2030, the climate crisis could push over 120 million more people into poverty globally.

One aspect of the climate crisis that is often overlooked is its devastating impact on working animals that support low-income communities. In many cases, dangerous conditions are a worsening problem for working animals and are threatening the survival of many animals globally.

Working animals like horses, donkeys and camels have a vital role in their communities. From carting heavy goods to transporting families, they are fundamental to livelihoods and the survival of communities.

This forgotten workforce is struggling to endure extreme weather conditions, highlighting the urgent need for global action to protect them.

In the past year, severe flooding and landslides have caused terrible destruction in Tanzania and Iraq – and countries in north and west Africa have experienced a deadly heatwave, something I saw and experienced during my visit to Mali in May this year. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe, Tunisia and Namibia are just some of the countries struggling through a prolonged drought.

These events have made life for working animals more precarious than ever and have left owners struggling to feed, care for or even keep their working animals.

SPANA works across the world providing lifesaving care and support to working animals experiencing the devastating effects of the climate crisis. Through essential veterinary support, we are able to offer a lifeline to animals in desperate need.

We are working to transform the lives of working animals and create a world where animals, people and the environment are respected and thrive.

Please find out how you can show your support for working animals affected by the climate crisis by visiting spana.org/climate

Linda Edwards, chief executive, SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad)