WELL DONE TO PROTECT THE WILD

 

It's our birthday! Protect the Wild is now 9 years old! My name is Rob Pownall and this is one of those emails I really never thought I would be writing. I never imagined that creating a Facebook page (Keep the Ban) in my bedroom at the age of 16 would lead to almost a decade of campaigning and the creation of an actual organisation.  And in many ways this is an email I wish I wasn't writing. On the one hand I am proud of the fact I am still here and fighting for what's right but on the other hand it is disappointing that in 2024 there is still a need for organisations like ours. It's now 7 years since I stood outside Downing Street and passionately ranted to the thousands who attended the Make Hunting History March. I remember how proud I felt to be standing up for wildlife even if I was utterly petrified at the time. And I have not lost an ounce of the passion and commitment I had that day.  And whilst it is ludicrous that there are still those killing wildlife for kicks, I am so pleased with the progress we have made as a movement over the last 9 years.  Below are just some of the things we have done in the last few years since becoming a non-profit organisation in late 2020.  Major landowners such as the National Trust and Forestry Englandended hunting on their land afters years of sustained campaigning  Attempts to repeal the Hunting Act were resisted and the national conversation shifted to one of strengthening legislation around the hunting of mammals Released 7 undercover investigations exposing elements of hunting, shooting and the badger cull  Built an audience of 900,000+ across our social media channels and 80,000+ receiving our emails  Helped secure a landmark conviction after Mini the cat was killed by the Western Hunt  Exposed hunts across the country for receiving covid grants, resulting in national press coverage  Supported dozens of hunt saboteur and monitor groups across the UK with equipment and funding  I jumped out of a plane and did two huge bike rides to raise funds for our vital work and to support The Fox Rescuers  Donated over £10,000+ to wildlife rescues  Published our Hunting of Mammals Bill which would see an end to all hunting with hounds, signed by over 115,000 people Supported dozens of fundraisers and wildlife protection projects such as recent legal challenges to the badger cull  and stag hunting  Launched Protectors of the Wild, first of its kind resource for helping the public know their rights and how to recognise, record and report suspected wildlife crimes Helped a community appeal in Sussex buy land and save it from developers to protect wildlife  Launched The Secret Monitor which put huge pressure on stag hunting Set up the PTW Support Network to provide regular assistance and help to activists across the country protecting wildlife  Released over a dozen animations educating the public about issues affecting wildlife which have been viewed over 35 million times  Published the most detailed report on hunting with hounds in modern history Read even more about our work I'm not going anywhere until people stop harming animals I am as determined as I have ever been in the fight to protect British wildlife. And I will continue to devote every day of my life to ensure animals have the freedom to live without fear of being hunted or shot for 'fun'.  Protect the Wild doesn't have any big donors or govt funding of any kind. All of the above that we have achieved is thanks solely to our wonderful supporters who all chip in what they can. And I am so proud of the people that stand in our corner.  We use every penny so effectively in the fight to protect wildlife. Whether it's undercover work, animations, direct action, outreach and demos, petitioning or pressure campaigning. We do absolutely anything and everything we legally can to stand up for wild animals.  We continue to go from strength to strength because more and more compassionate people decide to back what Protect the Wild does. And I couldn't be happier with the small team that now work for Protect the Wild! So if you agree with my beliefs and what we stand for and you can afford to do so please consider donating an hour's wage to us each month, it’ll help secure our future and ensure we can continue to fight hard to protect British Wildlife. Hopefully we won't need to be around in 9 years time but best believe I will be alive and kicking for however long wildlife needs us. Rob Pownall Founder, Protect the Wild Copyright © 2024 PROTECT THE WILD LTD, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: PROTECT THE WILD LTD 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden London, London WC2H 9JQ United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.