France

France has a long tradition of organised animal protection, led by La SPA, founded in 1845, alongside hundreds of independent refuges and associations across the country. French refuges take in abandoned dogs and cats, horses and small pets, and many work with local authorities on stray cat sterilisation and with the courts on cruelty seizures. Most rely on donations and volunteers, and many organisations are recognised as reconnue d'utilité publique (public-interest charities). Each French organisation listed on Real Rescues has been checked against its official website and the national business register before being added.