03.12.25
Over the past few years, the link between animal protection and human protection has been gaining recognition across sectors, from policing and politics to frontline domestic abuse services. What started as a focused campaign idea is now evolving into a wider movement, with organisations independently adopting the message and embedding the principle into their own work.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Ireland.
Where It Began
A couple of years ago, Naturewatch Foundation began introducing the Protect Animals. Protect People (PAPP) concept to colleagues in Ireland, with support from Animal Law Ireland. These early conversations resulted in a joint article in An Garda Síochána’s (Ireland’s National Police) internal magazine: a foundational step in framing animal-related abuse as inseparable from human vulnerability.
Soon thereafter, the discussion expanded into events, including a presentation at the Dublin Pet Expo, which brought the message in front of practitioners, policymakers, and the public.
Growing Political Interest
Over time, interest within Ireland deepened. One Dublin councillor has championed the issue, recognising how animal abuse can be both a risk factor and a predictor for human harm. This political engagement has helped drive the message through official channels, laying groundwork for wider adoption.
A Major Shift: An Garda Síochána Embraces the Message
Last week, An Garda Síochána launched a significant update to their public-facing information on domestic abuse. The revamped website now includes detailed guidance on how animals feature in coercive control, safety planning, and the survivor experience.
This is a notable shift. It signals that the crossover between animal safety and human safety is not merely a campaign message but an emerging policing reality.
From Concept to Conference Platform
Over the weekend, news emerged of a forthcoming national conference in Kilkenny focusing on veterinary and rural issues.
Among the speakers is a specialist Garda from the domestic abuse unit. His session title?
“Protect Animals. Protect People.” The conference agenda also includes politicians and sector leaders.
This is a significant milestone. The message is no longer something we’re pushing, it’s something others are now proactively promoting.
A Campaign That’s Becoming a Life Form of Its Own
One of the most striking developments is how PAPP is evolving independently. The phrase, the framing, and the underlying principle are now appearing across policing, domestic abuse policy, animal welfare planning, and political discourse.
This organic growth suggests that the PAPP narrative resonates deeply because it reflects a simple truth: protecting animals often means protecting people, and vice versa.
What This Means for the Future
The growing adoption of the PAPP message opens exciting opportunities:
- Stronger cross-sector collaboration between animal welfare, policing, safeguarding, and domestic abuse services.
- New policy windows, using Ireland as a case study for other countries considering integrated approaches.
- A broader public narrative, emphasising the dual benefits of addressing animal harm and human vulnerability together.
- More effective campaigning, as the message gains legitimacy through external uptake.
As the concept continues to spread, we have a chance to shape how this movement grows, ensuring that animals and people are protected through better policy, better awareness, and better practice.
The future of PAPP looks increasingly like a shared mission, not a single campaign.
