From horses to hamsters to hens, the RSPCA's work in Wales covers a wide range of animals.
Regulation of Sanctuaries
Although most animal welfare establishments, or “sanctuaries” are invaluable resources for animal welfare, there are times when things go wrong. Resources can be overwhelmed or capability surpassed for both large and small organisations, in these cases a framework is necessary to protect vulnerable animals and their carers who may find themselves in over their heads. Regulation of animal welfare establishments is already in force in Europe, and there are parallels with the regulation of other animal welfare establishments such as riding schools, dog breeders and kennels/catteries. Currently we also have no solid idea as to how many animal welfare establishments are operating in Wales, which has wide ranging implications for animal welfare and disease control.
There is now an opportunity for the Welsh Assembly Government to put in place legislation for Wales under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which will protect this sector and encourage good practice. To this end, the Animal Welfare Network for Wales has investigated the issue and canvassed opinion from the animal welfare sector and those establishments who would be effected by regulation, to produce this mapping document.
The animal welfare establishments “sanctuaries” working group is made up of AWNW members who expressed an interest in any future regulation of sanctuaries in Wales. A representative of the Welsh Assembly Government is also in attendance as an observer.
AWNW has been involved in the issue of animal welfare establishments (sanctuaries) and the possibility of regulation from an early stage in the group’s history. It is an issue which is of particular concern to our members, many of whom would be classified as “sanctuaries” or animal welfare establishments.
Our work in this area eventually lead to the organisation of a well attended seminar on the subject in North Wales during mid 2009. This event clearly illustrated that Network members were eager to engage in a lively debate on the issue. Discussions from this seminar lead to the formation of the ‘Sanctuaries Working Group’ in late 2009, which later changed it’s name to the Animal Welfare Establishments “Sanctuaries” Working Group in early 2010.
Working Group Report coming soon
Trading/Internet Trading of Animals
This is an area that remains of concern to the RSPCA, as it is a largely unregulated and unenforceable industry effecting all species. The trading of animals through the internet was also the focus of a recent CAWES special project.
Animal Welfare Act Codes of Practice
The Welsh Assembly Government has produced Codes of Practice for each of these pet animals: dog, cat, rabbit and equines. The content and format of these Codes differ from the cat, dog and equine Codes that exist in England. The Codes explain the standards of care expected for each of these species to ensure their five welfare needs are met, which are:
1. The need for a suitable environment
2. The need for a suitable diet
3. The need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
4. Any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals
5. And its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
The Codes are crucial for enforcing the ‘welfare offence’ under section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act (2006), whereby a person commits a welfare offence if they fail to ensure the needs of an animal they are responsible for to the extent required by good practice, as described in the species-specific Codes. When an RSPCA Inspector has concerns that the needs of an animal are not being met and that suffering could occur if the situation does not improve, the Inspector will issue a copy of the relevant Code along with an advice notice which details which aspects of the animal’s welfare needs are not being met and must be addressed. In almost 90% of these cases the RSPCA finds that on returning to the property the animal’s welfare has improved, the animal is better cared for and there is no need to proceed to a prosecution. The Codes therefore have an important role in preventing suffering.
Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs (English 1 - 2) (Cymraeg 1 - 2) - Summary (English) (Cymraeg)
Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats (English 1 - 2) (Cymraeg 1 - 2) - Summary (English) (Cymraeg)
Code of Practice for the Welfare of Rabbits (English) (Cymraeg) - Summary (English) (Cymraeg)
Code of Practice for the Welfare of Equines (English 1 - 2) (Cymraeg 1 - 2)
RSPCA and Education
In Wales, RSPCA Education aims to achieve this goal by working to support professionals in both the formal education and the youth justice sectors. Our aim is to ensure that animal welfare becomes engendered into the ethos of every school by offering these resources and training to all teachers. Where budget allows, we seek to translate resources into Welsh.
RSPCA Education Brief (English) (Cymraeg)
Companion Animal Enhancement Scheme (CAWES)
The Companion Animal Welfare Enhancement Scheme (CAWES) was a Welsh Assembly Government funded programme for Local Authorities and unique to Wales. Almost 3 million pounds over three years (2008-2011) was provided to a) gather baseline data for various commercial activities, b) run special projects to gather further intelligence and test animal welfare initiatives and c) operate four fora in Wales designed to interface with the members of the Animal Welfare Network for Wales (AWNW)(see below/above).
The RSPCA and the AWNW are working closely with WAG on a successor programme. Details to be announced shortly.
WAG website for the scheme
Baseline data - (2008-2009) (2009-2010)
AWNW
The Animal Welfare Network for Wales (AWNW) is an independent initiative set up to bring together all organisations with volunteers who work in the animal welfare world in Wales. Currently there are over 140 member organisations that make up the Network.
The aim of the Network is to facilitate effective communication between all animal welfare organisations who work in Wales at a crucial time for the sector, with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 devolving domestic and captive wild animal welfare to the National Assembly for Wales. The National Assembly for Wales has a Compact with the Voluntary Sector, which allows for a seat on animal welfare on the Third Sector Partnership Council (TSPC). The RSPCA holds that seat as a representative of AWNW to facilitate information across all interested groups in Wales.
The Network provides a number of services for its members – from information facilitation of political developments related to animal welfare, to networking events and topic lead seminars. The Network is also involved in the Companion Animal Welfare Enhancement Scheme which allows its members access to meeting with local authorities on companion animal welfare.
More details about the AWNW work can be found on our website at www.awnwales.org
Research animals
This is not currently a devolved area. Please visit our Westminster page or research animal indicators page for more info.
TSPC role
The Third Sector Partnership Council (TSPC) was established by the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure an effective relationship is maintained with the voluntary bodies. The RSPCA has provided a representative to the TSPC since its inception, initially directly and in recent years elected through the AWNW. The Minister for Social Justice and Local Government chairs this Council which, along with the associated mechanisms for interacting with other relevant Ministers, provide invaluable forums for discussing animal welfare issues.