LNDC Animal Protection (Lega Nazionale per la Difesa del Cane)

LNDC Animal Protection began life on 22 December 1950 as the Lega Nazionale per la Difesa del Cane (National League for the Defence of the Dog), founded by the writer and dog expert Piero Scanziani. Around a decade ago it added "Animal Protection" to its historic name to reflect that it now works for animals of every species, not only dogs.

The association is organised through local sections and delegations in 17 Italian regions and around 50 provinces, supported by more than 2,000 volunteers. Many sections manage canili (dog shelters) and gattili (cat shelters), rescue stray, abandoned and mistreated animals, and rehome them through adoption. According to LNDC, it cares for more than 50,000 animals a year on average, rescues close to 40,000 and finds homes for over 12,000.

LNDC also has a strong legal and campaigning side. It pursues more than 500 legal actions a year in animal cruelty cases, works with the police against wildlife crime and the so-called zoomafia, provides help to people and animals during natural disasters, and campaigns on issues such as hunting law, wolves and bears, and the online sale of animals.

The national office is in Milan. LNDC holds the "Donare con Fiducia" certification from the Istituto Italiano della Donazione, and supporters in Italy can also give through the 5x1000 scheme. You can donate, sponsor an animal at a distance or find your nearest section through its official website.