The Animal World : A Monthly Advocate of Humanity. Volume VI New Seroes. 1911 de Fairholme, Edward G; Berridge, W S; &c - 1911

London: W H Smith & Son. G : in good condition without dust jacket. Cover rubbed. Spine faded. 1911. First Edition. Green illustrated hardback cloth cover. 360mm x 260mm (14" x 10"). vii, 252pp. Many b/w illustrations throughout. In 1822 Richard Martin MP sponsored the passage of the Animal Protection Act which outlawed cruelty to cattle, horses and sheep. This was the world's first ever anti-cruelty law. In 1824 the SPCA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ­ was formed. It received the backing of four Members of Parliament, including Richard Martin and William Wilberforce who was well-known for his fight to end slavery in the British colonies. The Society was the first animal welfare organisation in the world. It was also the first law enforcement agency in the UK ­ it was not until two years later that Britain's first police force was formed. During the first year of its existence, the Society achieved 149 convictions on charges of cruelty to animals. In 1840 Queen Victoria gave the SPCA her permission to be named the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the trend for animal charities soon spread worldwide! Today's RSPCA has 309 inspectors investigating over 100,000 cruelty complaints a year in England and Wales and bringing perpetrators of cruelty to justice. RSPCA inspectors also undertake thousands of animal rescues, collections and establishment visits. .