Vanessa joined Freedom for Animals as a trustee in 2021. She grew up with a passion for animals and has worked within the animal welfare sector for ten years. She is a skilled campaigner having first campaigned for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) on stopping the UK puppy trade and for service animals to be recognized as sentient beings. After five years there, she joined World Animal Protection to campaign against the international exotic pet trade, against wildlife selfies, and the international wildlife trade; seeing wins with Instagram, Turkish Airlines, and at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Currently, Vanessa works as the International Head of Wild Animals in Trade for FOUR PAWS International.  

Vanessa is a postgrad having studied Environmental Biology and International Animal Welfare, Ethics & Law. As well as being an advocate for animal rights issues, Vanessa also champions LGBTQIA+ and BAME causes wanting to see a world of equality for both humans and animals. She lives in London with her partner and two dogs. 

I joined Freedom for Animals at a really exciting time. It’s an honor to be involved with such a long-standing charity with its truly dedicated team. FfA has strong grassroots connections and I am interested in seeing how we can reach audiences further afield and engage people from all walks of life to improve the lives of animals held in captivity across the UK. I hope to see FfA grow from strength to strength and continue to be a force for good.