Jessey Wade

Anna Jessey Wade (2 December 1859 – 10 May 1952) was an English suffragette and campaigner for animal welfare. She was the founder of the Cats Protection League (now known as Cats Protection). Wade also co-founded a number of other animal welfare organisations and helped create and was editor of the feminist gender studies journal Urania.

Biography

Anna Jessey Wade was born on 2 December 1859, in Westminster, London. She developed a strong commitment to animal welfare and became closely associated with fellow advocate Ernest Bell, serving as his personal secretary until his death in 1933. Bell was the editor of the journal The Animals' Friend and Wade became the editor of its sister publication for children, The Little Animals' Friend, after Edith Carrington. Wade authored several pamphlets for the society's A. F. pamphlet series, including Cruelties in Dress, Mother Love in the Animal World, Fur Coats, Hats and the Woman, Little Father Christmas, and Winter Cruelties.

From 1906 to 1919, Wade served as the Honorary Secretary of the Children's Department for the Humanitarian League, an organisation dedicated to promoting compassionate treatment towards both humans and animals. She was also a member of the Women's Freedom League and as part of a suffragette protest, refusing to complete the 1911 United Kingdom Census. In 1916, she co-founded Urania, a journal that was part of a broader campaign to eliminate all distinctions based on gender, advocating for a society free from gender-based prejudices.

In 1927, Wade organised a meeting at Caxton Hall, London, which resulted in the establishment of the Cats Protection League. She subsequently became the editor of the league's journal, The Cats' Mews-Sheet. In 1932, she helped establish the National Society for the Abolition of Cruel Sports with Ernest Bell and others. Wade was also involved with the Women's Freedom League, the Pit Ponies' Protection Society, and the Performing and Captive Animals' Defence League. In 1935, Wade delivered a speech for the Humane Education Society in Manchester.

In 1945, it was reported that Wade was in bad health from the after effects of a serious accident. She also had an operation for cataracts.

Wade retired from her role as editor of The Little Animals' Friend in 1948, after 50 years. She died at her home at Abbey Road mansions on 10 May 1952, at the age of 92.

Contributions to animal organisations

Wade founded and made significant contributions to a number of animal advocacy organisations:

• Humanitarian League (Honorary Secretary of the Children's Department from 1906 until 1919)
• Pit Ponies' Protection Society (active member)
• Performing and Captive Animals' Defence League (co-founder with Ernest Bell and John Galsworthy)
• National Society for the Abolition of Cruel Sports (co-founder with Ernest Bell and others)
• Cats Protection League (now known as Cats Protection; co-founder)
• Humane Education Society (Vice-President of the Council for Protection of Animals)

Publications

• Cruelties in Dress (London: Animals' Friend Society, 1912)
• Mother Love in the Animal World (London: Animals' Friend Society)
• Fur Coats (London: Animals' Friend Society)
• Hats and the Woman (London: Animals' Friend Society)
• Little Father Christmas (London: Animals' Friend Society)
• Winter Cruelties (London: Animals' Friend Society)

• The Animals' Friend Cat Book (London: G. Bell and Sons, 1917)