CHARITIES, emergency services and councils who champion animal welfare are being called on to show they are “for every kind” by entering the prestigious PawPrints Awards.
The RSPCA works in close partnership with public bodies across England and Wales to recognise and improve animal welfare standards, with the charity celebrating community heroes with its one-of-a-kind scheme since 2008.
The awards acknowledge those who surpass legal standards and raise the bar for animal welfare, and recognises councils, emergency services, housing associations, and other public-sector service deliverers.
This year’s awards will focus on prevention – spotlighting how early intervention and responsible pet ownership can improve animal welfare outcomes while reducing long-term demand and cost pressures on public sector services.
There are three overall categories of awards.
The core awards categories recognise public bodies for their delivery of stray dog services, licensing, housing services, contingency planning and kennelling – with gold, silver and bronze awards available in each category.
A platinum award will also presented to organisations that have achieved gold for five consecutive years or more, recognising public sector organisations demonstrating consistent excellence and local leadership in animal welfare.
Alongside the core awards, there is a suite of special awards – to honour exceptional dedication, commitment, innovation and contributions to animal welfare – including the Withnall Partnerships Award, launched last year in memory of former RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Withnall, who passed away in 2024.
There are also three hero categories, this year aligned to the theme of prevention and early intervention – the Responsible Pet Ownership Hero, the Public Awareness and Behaviour Change Campaign Hero, and the Prevention Hero.
Lee Gingell, RSPCA public affairs manager, said: “The public sector plays a crucial role in raising animal welfare standards, and year on year we’re proud of the part the PawPrints Awards plays in driving that progress.
“This commitment has transformed the lives of countless pets, wildlife, livestock and other animals – yet too often, this vital work goes unheard.
“We want to shine a spotlight on these inspiring efforts and encourage all public bodies to take part – to show they are there for every kind, and to join us in creating a kinder world for every animal.”
PawPrints is endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Environment 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.
Entries are open until July 31 – and public bodies can apply via the RSPCA’s dedicated PoliticalAnimal website.
A leadership and awards ceremony event will take place in November.
