LOCAL authorities and public sector organisations across Wales have received special honours from the RSPCA as part of the animal welfare charity’s prestigious PawPrints Awards.
Public services have been showing they are “for every kind” by working in close partnership with the RSPCA to improve their animal welfare standards throughout the year – and now those who have excelled have been recognised and celebrated as community heroes as part of the RSPCA’s one-of-a-kind PawPrints Awards scheme, which first launched in 2008.
PawPrints works with councils, emergency services, vets and other public-sector individuals, teams and organisations to recognise and celebrate those who surpass legal standards and raise the bar in animal welfare.
More than 100 awards were handed out as part of the trailblazing scheme, with around 30 presented at a glittering awards ceremony in Leeds on November 13, where public bodies came together to share their achievements and discuss how to go even further for animals.
This year six platinum awards – which are reserved to recognise local authorities who have obtained Gold-level for five or more years consecutively – have been handed out to four organisations from across Wales.
The awards span three categories: Core Awards, recognising councils and public bodies delivering key frontline services such as stray dog provision, licensing, housing, emergency planning and kennelling; Hero Awards, spotlighting organisations and individuals tackling specific animal welfare challenges; and Special Awards, celebrating individuals, teams, and partnerships whose exceptional work goes above and beyond.
In total, 109 awards were awarded across all three categories. Within the Core Awards, 99 awards were presented to 66 organisations. This includes 46 Platinum-level awards, given to those achieving Gold for five or more consecutive years, and a further 36 Gold-level awards.
Sioned Nikolic, RSPCA Cymru Public Affairs Advisor, said: “It’s really important to highlight the incredible efforts we know so many across Wales go to for animals and we are thrilled to recognise so many outstanding organisations for their pioneering work. It’s vital to celebrate the fantastic efforts being made to improve the lives of animals wherever possible.
“Despite challenging circumstances, councils, housing providers, emergency planners and other public bodies are finding innovative ways to protect, promote and improve animal welfare in their communities.
“Their commitment not only delivers real benefits for animals and people, but also serves as an inspiration to others.
“Seeing so many people who love animals come together in one room, to celebrate their achievements but also to talk about what more we can do to protect animals in the future, made for such a special event and the RSPCA is so proud to help champion their incredible work.”
The six platinum awards in Wales were handed to Monmouthshire County Council (contingency planning), Cardiff Dogs Home (stray dogs), Hope Rescue (kennelling) – and Shared Regulatory Services (Bridgend, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan councils) received a hat trick of platinums in kennelling, licensing and in the stray dogs category.
Animal Licensing Wales also received a gold in licensing, Cardiff Dogs Home a gold in kennelling and a bronze for Cardiff Council in contingency planning.
Vanessa Waddon, CEO of Hope Rescue, said: “We’re so proud to receive our PawPrints Award – unfortunately there aren’t many statutory animal welfare standards, especially in the charity sector, so to be awarded this shows that we work to a certain standard and we’re very proud of that.
“We care for animals on behalf of local authorities and we want them to have faith in us – the animals in our care deserve the best and we’re proud to show we’re providing that care.”
Zoe Phillips, from Animal Licensing Wales, added: “As a new team it’s important for us to get this recognition – we’re new to the sector and a different way of working so it’s important to show how we work together in collaboration with other partners, and it really helps to motivate us.
“We couldn’t take any of the animals we help if it wasn’t for the rescues, we simply don’t have the resources, so working together is vital – I always say we need to walk together, in the same direction, holding hands, and that’s what the PawPrints Awards are all about.”
This year also marked the launch of a new category, the Withnall Partnerships Award, created in memory of former RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Withnall, whose tireless dedication to animal welfare left a lasting legacy, the award shines a spotlight on outstanding collaboration between the RSPCA, local authorities, other public sector organisations and animal welfare partners. Inspector Withnall’s work spanned across England and Wales – including a high-profile puppy trading case in South Wales.
RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst said: “I was lucky enough to work alongside Kirsty both in the field when we were both inspectors and then later in our careers when we both were part of the Special Operations Unit.
“Kirsty was so dedicated to her work and was tireless in her efforts to improve the lives of those animals who were deliberately abused.
“To see an award in her name is a really proud moment for all her friends and colleagues who work within the RSPCA.”
This year’s awards were sponsored by Animal Friends Insurance, Pet Insurer of the Year 2024/25, and a multi-award-winning company that provides exceptional pet insurance as well as championing animal welfare, to create a better life for every animal.
Richard Mills, CEO at Animal Friends Insurance, said: “We were truly honoured to be the headline sponsor for this year’s PawPrints Awards.
“It’s so aligned with who we are, recognising people who are doing real work at the sharp end of the pet world and really making life better for every animal, and that’s what we’re here for as well – Animal Friends was created to bring more kindness and compassion into the lives of all animals, no matter their size, species or home.
“Supporting positive change in animal welfare and conservation is at the very heart of what we do, so it feels incredibly meaningful to champion the only awards scheme devoted to celebrating the extraordinary dedication of local public sector organisations and individuals who give so much for animal welfare.
“What I love about the PawPrints Awards is it gives people recognition in jobs that you might not think would receive that recognition – it really sets a standard for people to aspire to and excel in and the ones that benefit most from that are animals – what’s not to love about that?
“It was truly a pleasure to have worked with the RSPCA on these awards, to meet so many talented people at the event and hear so many success stories.”
Charlotte Ashburner, CMO at Animal Friends Insurance, added: “It means so much to be a part of the PawPrints Awards – it’s so important to recognise and say thank you to people who work tirelessly to help animal welfare.
“I loved being in a room with so many animal-crazy people – we’re all on the same page, all excited and inspired by the same things – together we’re stronger, and we can achieve more for animals when we support each other.”
PawPrints is endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Local Government Animal Welfare Group, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, the Institute of Licensing and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare.
Sioned added: “The public sector plays a vital role in improving animal welfare standards – and year on year, we’re so proud of the part the PawPrints scheme plays in inspiring the improvement of standards.
“This commitment from public bodies has changed the lives of countless pets, wildlife, livestock and other animals, and yet this vital work often goes unheard – which is why we’re so thrilled to celebrate it.”
