The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is one of the largest animal welfare and conservation charities in the world. This organization’s mission is "to improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in distress". Initially this group was founded in order to stop the hunting of baby seals in Canada but has since then grown to have offices in sixteen countries around the world. IFAW works with campaigners, legal and political experts, as well as scientists in several different tasks including marine mammal research and education, rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing animals in distress, promoting whale watching as an alternative to hunting, protecting endangered species, educating children about animal welfare and wildlife conservation, and carrying out legislative and educational campaigns around the world in an effort to prevent animal cruelty, preserve endangered species, and protect wildlife habitats. The website provides information on all the activities that the IFAW is involved in and what you can do to help.