18 ANNUAL REVIEW 2022
SHARING EXPERTISE
Our top 2022 achievements for companion animals
❚ We identified the many issues
associated with greyhound racing
- including the danger and
inherent risk as well as the
welfare challenges they face
throughout their lives - and
launched a campaign with Blue
Cross and Dogs Trust calling for a
phased end to greyhound racing
❚ In response to an alarming rabbit
crisis, we supported the Rabbit
Welfare Association & Fund
(RAWF) in its calls for a pause in
breeding and selling rabbits and
better legislation to protect them
❚ With a 48 percent increase in
rabbits coming into our care,
including into centres without
rabbit care experience, we
launched training sessions and
a rabbit elearning course for
staff and volunteers
❚ To help reduce the numbers of
accidental rabbit and guinea pig
litters being born (and needing
new homes), we provided online
education showing owners how
to sex these animals
❚ With new laws meaning police
can seize dogs used for illegal
hare coursing, we provided
training to safeguard the dogs'
welfare while in police kennels
❚ With more horses, ponies and
donkeys once again being bred
than there are good homes for,
we commissioned in-depth
research into the ongoing cycle
of suffering, which will identify
drivers and practical interventions
to tackle them
Working together for companion animals
Millions of animals give so much joy as pets in England and Wales, and every owner has a legal responsibility to
ensure their welfare needs are met. We use animal welfare science to help owners and legislators provide animals
with a good quality of life.
Ukraine pet refugees
When people fled to the UK from war-torn Ukraine,
many pet owners brought their animals too. With rabies
still an issue in Ukraine, the Animal and Plant Health
Agency (APHA) assessed, vaccinated and tested animals
so they could safely enter the UK.
We worked closely with the APHA to write safe
operating procedures for its animal isolation centre and
to train staff to look after the animals until they could
be reunited with their grateful owners.
We rescued emaciated foal Gerald from a field in Surrey
where he'd been abandoned. He was taken to RSPCA
Leybourne Animal Centre for rehabilitation.