WSPA is in principle opposed to the taking or killing of wild animals or the infliction of suffering upon them. This includes taking and killing of wild animals for the purpose of sport.

WSPA is absolutely opposed to taking and killing wild animals for purposes not essential to humans or the welfare of the animals, particularly when they do not pose a threat to the safety and security of humans.

In circumstances where it is deemed necessary to control wild or stray animal populations, or animals considered to be pests, then WSPA urges that this be achieved without the infliction of avoidable suffering. WSPA considers that an effective method should be employed to avoid the need continually to remove or kill animals. Fertility control or other non-lethal methods should be used whenever possible, rather than 'catch and kill' systems.

WSPA is opposed to the use, confinement, exhibition or performance of animals for commercial gain and/or human entertainment.

WSPA has serious reservations about the educational value of many existing zoological collections, including dolphinaria, and therefore does not consider that claims for the 'educational value' of many animal exhibits can be justified.

WSPA believes that animals should not be kept in zoological collections unless they form part of a valid conservation programme, the objective of which is the eventual rehabilitation and release into the wild, and the animals can be kept in a semi-natural' environment which meets their physiological and behavioural needs.

Where the taking and/or keeping of wild animals is still permitted, WSPA believes that this should be strictly limited under licence, and controlled at the highest possible humane level.