Final signature count: 2,620

2,620 signatures toward our 30,000 goal

A deeply troubling trend has emerged on WhatsApp, one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms. Groups of children and teens have been using the app to share distressing content that glorifies the killing and torture of animals using slingshots and other weapons.

This content isn’t just disturbing—it’s a call to action for all of us who care about animal welfare and the kind of world we want to live in.

The Shocking Reality

Investigations have uncovered hundreds of members in so-called “catapult groups,” where participants, some as young as primary school age, share images and videos of their cruel acts¹.

The victims of these senseless acts range from birds and squirrels to larger animals like deer and foxes, with the attackers often boasting about their exploits².

The link between cruelty to animals and other forms of violence is well-documented. By allowing these groups to exist and flourish, we are potentially nurturing a culture of violence that could have broader societal implications³.

The Law Is Not Enough

While animal cruelty laws exist, they are not always effective in stopping these heinous acts before they happen. The use of catapults, not currently classified as illegal weapons in the UK, poses a significant loophole that these groups exploit to carry out and share their acts of violence². This gap in the law, combined with the accessibility of social media platforms, creates a perfect storm for the propagation of animal cruelty.

What WhatsApp Can Do

WhatsApp, and its parent company Meta, have the power and responsibility to take action against this content. By strengthening their content moderation policies and improving mechanisms for reporting abuse, they can help prevent the spread of these disturbing images and videos. Collaboration with law enforcement and animal welfare organizations can also lead to quicker identification and punishment of perpetrators².

Our Call to Action

This is where we need your help. We are calling on the leaders of WhatsApp and Meta to take decisive action to eradicate animal abuse content from the platform.

By signing our petition, you are raising your voice against animal cruelty and standing up for a kinder, more compassionate world.

Your signature sends a message that we, as a global community, will not stand for violence in any form. It tells those in power that the time for action is now, not after more innocent lives are lost.

Sign the Petition Today

Join us in calling for an immediate crackdown on animal abuse content on WhatsApp. Together, we can make a difference. Sign the petition today and be a part of the movement towards a safer, kinder world for all beings.