About us

About the founders

John was born in the UK in 1951 and served 5 years in the British Royal Army Veterinary Corps. After leaving the army John became Chairman of the Hunt Saboteurs Association in 1974.

Jo HicksIn 1975 Jo and John founded the famous Animal Activists animal welfare organisation which in a few short years changed the face of animal welfare in the UK and influenced animal welfare activity world-wide.

They organised frequent sit-ins in Harrods fur department, regularly demonstrated outside every fur shop in Oxford Street and closed Swears and Wells which was the biggest fur chain in the UK. They also held sit-ins in vivisection laboratories to highlight the suffering inflicted on the animals. They organised countless demonstrations outside and inside numerous zoos to get conditions improved and campaigned against circuses with live animal acts.

1956 -

John was born in the UK in 1951 and served 5 years in the British Royal Army Veterinary Corps.

1974 -

Jo & John founded the famous Animal Activists animal welfare organisation which in a few short years changed the face of animal welfare in the UK and influenced animal welfare activity world-wide.

1975 -

Jo & John founded the famous Animal Activists animal welfare organisation which in a few short years changed the face of animal welfare in the UK and influenced animal welfare activity world-wide.

1976 -

After many years of working with Primates John was now considered one of the leading Primate experts in India by the Animal Welfare Board of India. He spent a great deal of time advising sanctuaries, zoos and Forestry Departments on the welfare of Primates. He was also co-opted onto the Animal Welfare Board of India set up by esteemed Indian Government’s in recognition of his tireless dedication and achievements in the field of animal welfare.

1977 -

Jo & John took over a failing animal sanctuary and left after 3 years having completely rebuilt the sanctuary, its reputation and finances. At this time John was also a Director of the League Against Cruel Sports and the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection. He also acted as an advisor to numerous animal sanctuaries around the UK and also worked for Compassion in World Farming.

Our Aims

Care & Rehabilitation

To support animals at the Tree House and ensure they receive the very best care available

Education

To promote and educate regarding the need for the humane treatment of all animals

Help more wildlife

To build facilities for the rescue and rehabilitation of other wildlife in Goa

Oppose Vivisection

To strongly oppose all medical research on primates and the keeping of primates as pets

Primate Centre

To obtain land and build a world-class Primate Rescue, Rehabilitation and Study Centre in Goa

Reduce Human Conflict

To promote primate sterilisation where over-population is causing conflict with humans resulting in cruelty and the random killing of monkeys.