Fintech PR
1 in 3 pets are homeless according to new global report – research shines a light on challenges facing pets today
- New research shows the global scale of pet homelessness estimating there are almost 362 million homeless cats and dogs across 20 countries studied.
- Project launched by global coalition of leading animal welfare experts in partnership with Mars, with the shared ambition to end pet homelessness.
- Mars Petcare Global President Loïc Moutault says that while pets are more popular than ever, there are a huge number of companion animals in need of care.
MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, a global coalition of animal welfare experts in partnership with Mars, released the results from the largest ever international study into pet homelessness. ‘The State of Pet Homelessness Project’ set out to understand the scale of pet homelessness and factors that contribute to pets being on the streets or in shelters, shining a light on the needs of a huge hidden population of pets today.
The ambition of the project is to drive more informed and targeted action to help reduce homelessness and ensure pets get the care they need. The findings from the countries revealed a stark picture that almost 35% of cats and dogs are either living on the streets or currently in a shelter waiting to find a home. Across the 20 markets there are:
- 143 million dogs living on the street and 12 million dogs in shelters,
- 203 million cats living on the street and 4 million cats in shelters.
Jeffrey Flocken, President, Humane Society International said: “Dog and cat homelessness is a hugely complex issue, this new data will help animal welfare organizations, policymakers, pet professionals, academics and researchers to better understand the scale and factors influencing the issue, which can in turn support the most impactful interventions.”
The ‘State of Pet Homelessness Project’ used data from over 900 global and local sources, along with almost 30,000 public surveys and 200 expert interviews to build a picture of pet homelessness across: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, The Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, the USA, and the UK.
While each country has different challenges, the data also reveals several common themes across the twenty countries:
- Pet–friendly housing limitations: Almost 1 in 5 people that are considering giving up their cat or dog in the near future say it’s because they are moving home and cannot take their pet with them. And almost half of those who have rehomed a pet in the past did so for that reason.
- Pet ownership challenges: Globally around 15% of pet owners are considering giving up their pet in the next 12 months.
- A number of factors contribute, with personal health and fitness challenges to still be able to care for a pet being the number one reason globally, housing related factors coming second, and time pressure to be able to look after a pet being the third most common reason. Other factors like behaviour, family allergies and cost also appear in the data.
- Stemming homeless population increase:
- A surprising number of people lose their pet, and often don’t get reunited. Almost half of people surveyed said they had lost a pet in the past, and of those almost 60% were never found by their owners.
- Globally, pet owners report that only ~50% of owned dogs and ~60% of cats are sterilized, meaning the remainder, if allowed to reproduce unchecked, can result in unplanned litters, exacerbating the problem.
Loïc Moutault, Global President Mars Petcare said: “We know that pets bring enormous benefit to our lives, we want to help ensure all pets get the care they need. For every two dogs or cats that are part of a family or community in the countries surveyed, there is another that is not so fortunate. That is not the world we want for pets, and we hope this data will help drive targeted interventions to give more pets the life they deserve.
Big and small actions can make a difference, from considering adopting a pet, to changes that mean more rental accommodation allows pets helping to keep pets and pet owners together. We are setting out to support 30million vulnerable pets over the next five years and hope this data will allow us – and others – to make interventions that make a big difference.”
Working alongside Mars on this global data initiative is an advisory panel of leading animal welfare experts from organizations, including: Humane Society International, Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs, International Partnership for Dogs and the International Companion Animal Management Coalition.
To mark the release of this data, Mars has made a $500,000 donation to Humane Society International to fund projects in India, South Africa and Mexico to make interventions informed by the data. These programs will deliver reproduction control, training and care for thousands of animals. This builds on a significant history of work by Mars and its partners supporting almost 10 million vulnerable pets across the world over the last three years. Including donating more than 100 million meals to vulnerable pets, steralizing over 30 thousand free-roaming animals and providing over 100,000 pets with comprehensive preventive care, including wellness checks, preventive medicine and vaccinations.
To find out more about the State of Pet Homelessness Project and to go deeper in to the data visit: www.stateofpethomelessness.com
About the State of Pet Homelessness Project
The ‘State of Pet Homelessness Project’ reviewed data from over 900 global and local sources, along with 30,000 public surveys and 200 expert interviews: to shine a light on the needs of pets in the Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, The Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, the USA, and the UK. It follows on from a pilot research study carried out in 2021 that looked at nine countries.
Data collection was carried out by specialist research agencies, Kantar and Euromonitor International. Data collection and analysis took from late 2022 and the first half of 2023.
Global Advisory Panel: The State of Pet Homelessness Project Advisory Panel is made up of Mars partners, and leaders in the animal welfare and pet care industry, including: Jeffrey Flocken (President, Humane Society International), Joyce Briggs (Senior Advisor and former President, Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs), Andrew Rowan (President, WellBeing International), Marc Ralsky (CEO, International Partnership for Dogs), Vicky Halls (Head of Unowned Cats, International Cat Care), Brenda N. Bonnett (former CEO, International Partnership for Dogs), Claire Bessant (former Chief Executive, International Cat Care), Elly Hiby (Director, The International Companion Animal Management (ICAM) Coalition), Ellen Jefferson (President and CEO, Austin and American Pets Alive!), Kim Van Syoc (Executive Director, Banfield Foundation and VCA Charities)
About Mars, Incorporated
Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a global, family-owned business, Mars is transforming, innovating, and evolving to make a positive impact on the world. Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of quality snacking, food, and pet care products and services, we employ 140,000+ dedicated Associates. With more than $47 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including Ben’s Original™, CESAR®, Cocoavia®, DOVE®, EXTRA®, KIND®, M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, and WHISKAS®. We are creating A Better World for Pets through our global network of pet hospitals and diagnostic services – including AniCura, BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, Linnaeus and VCA™ – using cutting edge technology to develop breakthrough programs in genetic health screening and DNA testing.
For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/1-in-3-pets-are-homeless-according-to-new-global-report–research-shines-a-light-on-challenges-facing-pets-today-302040975.html
Fintech PR
FXGiants Online Trading Platform Launches Bonus Initiative to Reward Traders
HAMILTON, Bermuda, Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — FXGiants has recently launched a series of exciting bonuses. Participants on the FXGiants‘ online trading platform can now amplify their trading potential with a broad spectrum of bonuses that are tailored to fit different trading needs. These bonuses not only add extra value but also act as a safety net for traders to explore the financial markets without risking too much.
“Our goal with these deposit bonus options is to empower traders of all levels,” said Christopher Oates, the spokesperson for FXGiants. “Under this scheme, we have diverse categories, including Bonus Maximiser, Booster Bonus, and the Bonus Advantage. These bonuses are designed to provide flexibility to clients as they trade on the FXGiants online trading platform.”
Exploring the FXGiants Bonus Options
The bonus options at FXGiants come with versatile advantages. The Bonus Maximiser provides a full 100% boost on all deposits without limit, whereas the Booster Bonus offers a 40% bonus on all deposits up to $4,000 for traders who want to moderately enhance their capital. On the other hand, the Bonus Advantage provides a 60% bonus on deposits up to $5,000, giving traders a better handle on risk. These bonuses enhance the trading experience on the FXGiants online trading platform.
“At FXGiants, we are committed to a trading environment that meets the evolving needs of our clients,” Oates added. “Our online trading platform is a robust ecosystem designed to support traders with advanced execution, extensive market insights, and continuous improvements. As we move forward, we will keep expanding our offerings to ensure that traders have access to the best resources and support.”
About FXGiants
FXGiants stands out as an international broker providing access to over 300 financial instruments across 6 asset classes. Traders can operate through the popular MetaTrader 4 platform, and benefit from exceptional trading conditions such as competitive spreads, flexible leverage, and fast execution. With deposit boosters, partnership programs, an educational blog, and account types tailored to both novice and experienced traders, FXGiants remains dedicated to delivering a one-stop trading solution.
Terms & Conditions apply. Bonus cannot be withdrawn.
All trading involves risk. It is possible to lose all your capital.
FXGiants is a trade name of Notesco Int Limited; a company incorporated in Anguilla with registration number A000001800 and registered address The Valley, AI2640, Cosely Drive, 1338, AI.
Website: https://www.fxgiants.com/
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fxgiants-online-trading-platform-launches-bonus-initiative-to-reward-traders-302338463.html
Fintech PR
CKGSB Successfully Hosts 2024 MBA Professor Training Program for Western China
BEIJING, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) successfully hosted the Western China MBA Professor Training Program in collaboration with the China National MBA Education Supervisory Committee and Shantou University School of Business on December 17 and 18, 2024. 58 professors from over 40 universities in China nationwide, mostly western China, attended this training.
Since 2007, CKGSB has been aspiring to address the pressing disparities in management education between eastern and western China with its MBA professor training program. As of 2024, the program has trained 372 professors from 155 universities across 22 provinces, 4 autonomous regions, 3 direct-administered municipality in China, indirectly impacting tens of thousands of MBA students.
This year, the training focused on social innovation and business for good, a topic many participating professors found lacking in their day-to-day teaching and research. Professor ZHU Rui (Juliet), CKGSB Professor of Marketing and Director of the ESG and Social Innovation Center, led the training. She introduced how CKGSB has been innovating with the integration of business for good in management education, and how our relevant practice-based course has already helped 2,800+ students integrate ESG into their businesses. Professor Zhu also hosted an interactive workshop with the training’s participants on how they may build this idea into their teaching.
Participants shared in their post-program survey that Professor Zhu’s teaching and her ESG Assessment map gave them a new perspective on how to balance profits and social responsibilities. Many also felt inspired on how to bridge the gap between research and practice.
Recognized in CKGSB’s 2022 and 2024 ESG and Social Innovation Reports and honored as a finalist for the 2021 China Social Impact Award by the United Nations and British Chamber of Commerce, this program exemplifies CKGSB’s impact in this critical area. Through partnerships with the government, NGOs, and business schools, this initiative has made significant progress in promoting quality education and reducing inequalities.
For more information on CKGSB’s ESG and social innovation efforts, visit our ESG and social innovation website.
About CKGSB
Established in Beijing in November 2002, CKGSB is China’s first privately-funded and research-driven business school. The school aims to cultivate transformative business leaders with a global vision, sense of social responsibility, innovative mindset, and ability to lead with empathy and compassion (https://english.ckgsb.edu.cn).
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ckgsb-successfully-hosts-2024-mba-professor-training-program-for-western-china-302338458.html
Fintech PR
Wirex Adds VEUR and VCHF Stablecoins to its Platform for Seamless Spending
VADUZ, Liechtenstein, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Wirex, a global leader in bridging traditional and digital finance, has announced the addition of VNX Euro (VEUR) and VNX Swiss Franc (VCHF) to its platform. With this integration, Wirex users can now spend VEUR and VCHF directly through their Wirex cards, streamlining everyday transactions and enhancing convenience.
Wirex cards allow users to use VEUR and VCHF in various ways. Whether users receive payments in VEUR and/or VCHF, use them for remittances (including cross-border transactions), or sell digital assets for stablecoins instead of fiat, Wirex provides the simplest solution for spending in real life. Users can instantly convert their stablecoins into fiat currency and send them directly to their bank accounts, catering to those who prefer traditional banking options.
Pavel Matveev, Co-founder of Wirex, said: “We’re excited to welcome VNX Euro (VEUR) and VNX Swiss Franc (VCHF) to Wirex. This addition allows our users to effortlessly spend stablecoins in real life, whether for daily purchases, remittances, or managing their digital assets. At Wirex, our goal is to make digital currencies as convenient and versatile as traditional money, and VEUR and VCHF are another step toward achieving that vision.”
Future Features
Additional features will be rolled out later after the launch, complementing the immediate benefits of VEUR and VCHF. These include loans and high-yield X-Accounts, both of which are growing in popularity among Wirex users. Loans offer a smart and tax-efficient way to access liquidity without selling underlying digital assets. Users can leverage their BTC, ETH, SOL, and other digital assets, as collateral for loans in stablecoins, allowing them to benefit from potential appreciation while accessing funds without triggering taxable events.
X-Accounts provide an opportunity for users to earn industry-leading yields of up to 15% APY on their stablecoin balances, enhancing the overall value proposition of holding VEUR and VCHF within the Wirex ecosystem.
Upcoming Advanced Opportunities
VEUR and VCHF have the potential to become preferred options in Wirex’s advanced trading products, such as Wirex DUO and Wirex Multiply. Notably, Euro-backed stablecoins have already demonstrated significantly higher usage among Wirex users than larger USD alternatives, highlighting strong demand for Euro-denominated trading options.
As Wirex explores adding VEUR and VCHF to these products, it aims to further strengthen its position as a leader in digital finance by offering innovative solutions that bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital assets.
Disclaimer: The term “stablecoin” is used herein in relation to VEUR and VCHF for marketing purposes. The reader however shall understand that VEUR and VCHF are fiat-referenced tokens which are described in more detail in the VNX Gold based Fiat Referenced Tokens (FRT) Terms and Conditions which are available for review at www.vnx.li
About VEUR and VCHF
Both VEUR and VCHF are multichain tokens referencing the Euro and Swiss Franc, developed by VNX, generated by a licensed token generator under the Blockchain Act in Liechtenstein. VEUR and VCHF are supported by the reserves ensuring 1:1 parity and represent a reliable digital asset in the crypto world. These tokens combine the stability of fiat currencies with the convenience of crypto, enabling quick, low-cost, and 24/7 accessible cross-border payments while opening new opportunities in DeFi.
About Wirex
Wirex is a prominent UK-based digital payments platform with over 6 million customers spread across 130 countries. It offers secure accounts, making it easy for users to store, purchase, and exchange multiple currencies seamlessly. As a principal member of both Visa and Mastercard, Wirex goes beyond traditional services, embracing the evolving trends of Web3 to provide mainstream access to digital finance and wealth management. Having processed transactions totalling $20 billion, Wirex aims to contribute to the adoption of a cashless society by facilitating straightforward transactions in various currencies worldwide. Wirex is simplifying digital payments, making it more accessible and convenient for people across the globe.
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2586836/Wirex_VEUR_VCHF.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2031625/5077408/Wirex_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/wirex-adds-veur-and-vchf-stablecoins-to-its-platform-for-seamless-spending-302338369.html
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