Animal mistreatment deters British tourists from foreign holiday destinations

LONDON, England – Over half of British adults (52%) say that if they saw an animal being mistreated abroad on holiday it would put them off visiting that country again.

According to a new YouGov survey commissioned by international animal charity SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad), over one in five British adults (22%) have seen animals being mistreated when on holiday overseas, but over three-quarters of these holidaymakers (77%) made no attempt to report the most recent incident of mistreatment that they saw. The majority of these holidaymakers (71%) said they had seen animals used in the tourism industry mistreated.

The survey also found that over a quarter (28%) of British adults who have been on holiday abroad have taken part in an animal-related activity such as a camel safari or horse and carriage ride where they have been concerned for the welfare of the animals involved.