A century-old animal welfare charity has unveiled a new name as it looks to strengthen its global identity and highlight the vital role of working animals worldwide.

SPANA will now be known as Working Animals International, a move the organisation says better reflects both the scale of its work and the communities it supports across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.

Founded in 1923, the charity has expanded far beyond its origins in North Africa and now focuses on improving access to veterinary care, supporting animal owners with essential knowledge and skills, and campaigning for policy change.

Working animals—including horses, donkeys, mules, camels and others—remain central to daily life in many parts of the world. They provide transport to markets, schools and hospitals, and enable millions of people to earn a living and support their families. Despite this, their welfare is often overlooked.

Chief Executive Linda Edwards said the new name would help the organisation better communicate its purpose and broaden engagement.

“We are proud to launch our new name and brand. Our mission remains the same, but our new identity makes it clearer, more recognisable and easier for people to engage with and support.

“With a stronger voice, we are working towards a world where working animals are properly valued and cared for. When they thrive, so do the communities who depend on them every day – for income, for food, and for access to essential services like getting to school or to hospital.”

The rebrand follows an extensive consultation process involving supporters, donors, colleagues and partners across multiple countries, and reflects the organisation’s growing impact in partnerships, policy influence and frontline support.

Edwards added:

“This marks an important moment in our history. For more than a century, we have combined practical expertise with compassion to support working animals and the communities who depend on them, and that work continues to grow.

“As climate pressures and economic uncertainty grow, working animals and the communities who rely on them are under increasing strain. We must be in the strongest possible position to support them, and this new identity allows us to do exactly that.”

To mark the launch, the charity is hosting a photography exhibition, Impossible to Overlook, at the FUJIFILM House of Photography in Covent Garden, London, from 22 to 26 April. The exhibition showcases the essential and often unrecognised role of working animals around the world, featuring work from photographers in India, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Morocco.