Running since 2008, the RSPCA’s flagship PawPrints awards stays the one scheme of its form, recognising native authorities and public our bodies for delivering world-class animal welfare providers.
This yr, throughout England and Wales, a complete of 73 public our bodies have obtained a PawPrint award.
Havant Borough Council and Portsmouth County Council Stray Dog Kennels have been amongst these honoured, plus Winchester City Council and Baskingstoke and Deane Council.
PCC Stray Dog Kennels have been handed a gold award within the stray class, whereas Havant picked up a silver in the identical class.
Lee Gingell, public affairs supervisor for native authorities on the RSPCA, mentioned: “The PawPrints awards are something the RSPCA is immensely proud of.
“We have been so impressed with the standard of entries to this year’s awards.
“It’s always so rewarding to celebrate the winners and their inspiring initiatives and hear just what a huge impact their work has had on animal welfare locally.
“We are also thrilled to be back up to our pre-pandemic figures and have been able to hand out a total of 93 awards across 73 public bodies for outstanding animal welfare achievements this year*.
“Local Authorities, housing providers, contingency planners and others play a huge role in the delivery of animal welfare; many of them doing incredible work in the face of steep challenges.
“Often this pioneering work is done quietly behind the scenes and remains unsung, but they really deserve to be applauded for changing the lives of not only animals, but local people too. PawPrints is all about recognising and celebrating these efforts.”
Over the previous 15 years, over 1,500 awards have been given by means of the RSPCA PawPrint Awards.
Reasons for handing out an award can embrace something from initiatives to see extra stray dogs safely into kennels, schemes to safeguard pets whose house owners have been taken into care and housing insurance policies that enable tenants to share their home with their pets.
The awards are break up into 5 classes: stray canine providers, housing, contingency planning, animal exercise licensing, and kenneling.
Each class has three ranges: bronze, silver and gold – with every carrying progressively more difficult standards.
There is far work to be finished. The RSPA just lately revealed there have been 9,776 studies of canine cruelty made to the charity in 2022, in contrast with 8,176 in 2021 and seven,691 in 2020 – an increase of 27% in three years.
Gingell added: “Our partnerships with local authorities and other public sector organisations are integral to reclaiming our place as the global leader in animal welfare.
“Together, we can create a world where all animals are respected and treated with kindness and compassion.
“The awards also provide an invaluable chance to inspire others to think about their animal welfare services and encourage decision-makers to consider and value the vital role local authorities play in protecting animal welfare.
“The fact that we are marking 15 years of the scheme shows just how successful the awards have been.
“It has been a pleasure to watch PawPrints grow over the years and to celebrate countless initiatives from the most dedicated public service organisations and their staff; and the work we do together for animal welfare.”
The awardees will likely be recognised at a particular ceremony in Leeds in November.
