Timetable of Presentations 2nd March  2024

Time

Society/Speaker/Title

10:50am - 11:10am

(Chairperson: Jo Humphreys)

Title:  Improving animal welfare through intercultural competence: Animal Asia’s campaign to end the bear bile trade

Dr Natalie Diebschlag  

Animals Asia

Since its inception in 1998 Animals Asia has been devoted to ending the bear bile trade in China and Vietnam. This talk offers an introduction to this cruel and unnecessary industry and gives an insight into our bear rescue missions and sanctuaries through the lens of our motto “Kindness in Action”, which is key to our approach to animals and local populations alike.

11:30am - 11:50am

(Chairperson: Jo Humphreys)

Title:  TBC

Michelle Clark

Founder of Dogs On The Streets

Michelle founded the multi award-winning charity, Dogs on the Streets, which works with rough sleepers and their dogs. Michelle is well-known for her outreach, her sanctuary and for filling the gaps left by other organisations.

12:10pm - 12:40pm

(Chairperson: Jo Humphreys)

Title:  Using the law to help animals - 2024

Edie Bowles and Sam March

Edie founded the award-winning solicitors practice, Advocates for Animals (AfA). This is the first law firm in the country to specialise in animal protection. Sam is a criminal barrister who specialises in cases involving animals.  Edie and Sam will cover some current animal law cases, both from AfA and Sam’s practice. They will also explore legal tools that can be used to help animals in the courtroom and beyond.

1:00pm - 1:20pm

(Chairperson: Jo Humphreys)

Title:  Save The Asian Elephants – a charity’s dramatic journey to new law helping all animals abused in global tourism

Duncan McNair

Founder and CEO of Save The Asian Elephants

Duncan describes the charity’s foundation, its growth to tens of million supporters, exerting pressure on unscrupulous exploiters of tourism animals, and devising and driving landmark new law through parliament to protect all species from tourism abuse.

1:50pm - 2:10pm

(Chairperson: Kerry Smith)

Title:  TBC

Rob Read

Chief Operating Officer for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK (CPWF UK) (previously Sea Shepherd UK)

In order to protect whales, dolphins, seals and other marine wildlife (their clients) CPWF UK use direct action interventions on the high seas which are imaginative and require courage.  Rob has launched/managed many marine campaigns including Operation Bloody Fjords, the UK’s Ghostnet campaign and the UK’s Marine Debris Campaign.

2:30pm - 2:50pm

(Chairperson: Kerry Smith)

Title: TBC

Ana Lapaz-Mendez

Veterinary Surgeon. Founder and Chair of Pumpkin’s Wildlife Hospital

Ana, a practicing veterinary surgeon, founded the newly-opened Pumpkin’s Wildlife Hospital in Rickmansworth. As well as telling us about the Hospital, Ana will also tell us how she came to the point of founding the hospital.

3:10pm - 3:30pm

(Chairperson: Kerry Smith)

Title:  Saving Lives, it takes a village!

Cat Talbot

Jim Cronin Memorial Foundation

Cat has been Section Team Leader for the Gibbons at the world- famous primate rescue centre Monkey World for over ten years. She has a wealth of experience in rescue, rehabilitation, operant conditioning and educating the public in primate welfare and conservation. Cat appears regularly on the popular television series, Monkey Life, which features the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre.