Suzy has worked in Animal Welfare for many years.  Initially supporting her husband, Roger, with his work for the All Party Animal Welfare Group in the Houses of Parliament, and subsequently developed her own animal welfare programme and interests.

About 18 years ago Roger and Suzy visited the St Nicholas Monastery of the Cats at Akrotiri, Cyprus.  What they found there had a profound effect on them both.   Hundreds of sick and dying cats and kittens under the scorching sun, uncared for, multiplying unchecked.

The Cross Cats Project was born some years later and Suzy and Professor Ronald Jones of Liverpool Veterinary School took parties of veterinary graduands out to Cyprus in 1999, 2000 and 2001.   Hundreds of cats on Cyprus were caught, neutered and returned to their original territory, and the experience for these young people of hands-on work in basic conditions was invaluable.

Suzy travelled fairly extensively over the years and realised as time went on that very little was really being done to deal with the problems of stray/feral animals and that, in addition to dogs and cats,  many horses and donkeys were also neglected by their owners.  This situation seemed to be the norm in many tourist holiday spots.

Suzy also realised that many small projects, sanctuaries and groups – in the UK and overseas - needed support, both in terms of finance and advice.  The link with tourism was very apparent.

That concern has now been turned into action and with support from a number of UK based animal welfare organisations, Animals Worldwide has been launched.

Suzy says:  “My view is that far too many tourist areas neglect the local stray animals;  they are willing to take money from tourists but not to address the problems.  We now expect to be in a position to bring pressure to bear and to assist those people working in the field, to alleviate these problems with a programme of catch/neuter/return and in the long term we would obviously like to see well-run shelters established.

Animal lovers have the right to go on holiday and enjoy themselves, knowing that the local stray population are receiving the care and attention they would wish.”

Suzy is also joint chairman of the Conservative Animal Welfare Group. This new organisation, however, will be strictly non-political.

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