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SMACC is deeply concerned by a disturbing trend spreading across social media: videos of pleco fish being deliberately cut, suffocated, and killed on camera for views. Fish are sentient beings capable of feeling pain and distress, their suffering must not be dismissed or turned into entertainment.

What happens when concerns about public health, animal welfare, community safety, and responsible pet ownership collide? Too often, the people facing these challenges work in isolation. On 10 June 2026, the Dog and Cat Coalition (DACC) and Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) brought together 71 participants from across Indonesia to change that in the DACC Regional Event 2026. Representing government agencies, veterinarians, academics, animal welfare organizations, communit

SMACC Global Summit 2026 in Bali is the world’s first international summit dedicated to addressing online animal cruelty. Bringing together governments, social media platforms, researchers, law enforcement agencies, veterinarians, and animal protection organizations from 30 countries, the summit advances global cooperation and policy action to combat online animal cruelty and strengthen digital safety.

The 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) took place in Bangkok from 24 to 27 February 2026 under the theme “Transformative, equitable, innovative, and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for a sustainable future for all .” Convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) , the Forum brought together governments, United Nations (UN) entities, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, a

In the global animal protection landscape the Asia for Animals (AfA) Coalition is truly one of the ‘big beasts’. With more than 450 member organizations spanning the largest and most diverse of the world’s regions, the Coalition has become a real force for change for animals. ‘Asia for Animals’ was the title of a ground-breaking conference that took place in Manila in 2001, and since then the event has been hosted roughly every two years by more than ten cities in the regio

Punch went viral. Millions of other macaques suffer in silence, trafficked, exploited, and abused online. Cute doesn’t mean safe. Don’t watch, don’t share, report cruelty. Learn how to help: endcrueltyonline.com 🐒

As the proud founder of the Asia for Animals (AfA) coalition and the current Chair of the AfA board, I believe the coalition plays a fundamental role in shaping animal protection in the region. Initially established to act as a bridge to connect advocates between the all-important Asia for Animals Conferences, the coalition has grown into a mission-driven organisation led by a team of skilled advocates. As individual animal protection organisations, we are experts in specific

The animal protection movement is, by its very nature, a tapestry of different voices. It is made up of grassroots advocates who know every inch of their local communities, specialized rescues, and national organizations pushing for systemic change. But as anyone who has been in the trenches knows, the work can often feel fragmented. When we work in isolation, we risk duplicating efforts and missing the broader perspective that only comes from looking outward. Having served a

What happens when people see animal cruelty online, and what should they do? A 2025 nationwide survey by AWARE (South Korea), featured by SMACC, found that many viewers watch, react, or ignore cruelty content, which can boost its visibility. Remember SMACC key advice: Be aware, don’t engage, report.