On Tuesday 3rd October 2023, we were delighted to join forces with our friends at Hope Rescue, RSPCA Cymru and Greyhound Rescue Wales to celebrate Welsh animal welfare.
The fantastic Vanessa Waddon, from Hope Rescue, recently became a World Animal Day Ambassador. As the coordinators of World Animal Day, we were thrilled to be invited to participate in their celebratory event at the Senedd (the Welsh Parliament).
During the event, we were joined by fellow animal welfare charities, Members of the Senedd (MSs) and officials from the Welsh Government to celebrate the progress that has been made for Welsh animals, and to highlight some of the important welfare issues that we all need to work together to tackle next.
Luke Fletcher AS/MS, who kindly sponsored the event, delivered the opening speech thanking welfare charities for their tireless work and highlighting the pressures the rescue sector is currently facing due to the cost of living crisis.
Next, we heard a message from Chris Packham, who thanked Wales for taking the lead on banning snares, improving general licences for wild birds, and for its long-standing ban on dog shock collars. Unbelievably, shock collars are still legal in England.
Our CEO, Sarah Carr, then took to the stage to highlight why World Animal Day is so important for uniting animal-lovers across the world, and to celebrate some of the fantastic events taking place across the world this week. Sarah also used the opportunity to thank the Welsh Government for its recent snares and glue traps ban, and to encourage it to strengthen its 2014 dog breeding regulations to ensure our beloved dogs are properly protected from unscrupulous breeders and concerning new trends, like the unethical breeding practices promoted by illegitimate canine fertility clinics.
(L-R, Jane Dodds MS, Sarah Carr (Naturewatch Foundation), Lesley Griffiths AS/MS, Luke Fletcher AS/MS)
We then heard from Lesley Griffiths AS/MS, the Welsh Minister for Rural Affairs. It was fantastic to hear about Lesley’s commitment to Welsh animal welfare, and to promoting high standards, effective enforcement and compassionate education. The Welsh Government is currently progressing its Animal Welfare Plan for Wales.
Billie-Jade Thomas from RSPCA Cymru closed the event, thanking everyone who uses their voice for animals and celebrating the power of working together to advance animal welfare.
World Animal Day is celebrated every year on 4th October, with events taking place around the world. It was our pleasure to be able to participate in this celebration of Welsh animal welfare and we look forward to strengthening existing friendships in Wales and building on the new ones we made at this event.
Find out more about World Animal Day here.
