2025 PawPrints Awardees
We are proud to honour the 2025 PawPrints Awardees, who have each made remarkable contributions to animal welfare.
These individuals and organisations have demonstrated exceptional dedication, compassion, and innovation in their efforts to protect, promote and enhance the lives of animals.
Explore the inspiring work of this year's awardees and join us in celebrating their achievements in making a lasting impact on animal welfare.
On behalf of the RSPCA, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to everyone who entered this year's PawPrints Awards. Your dedication and passion for animal welfare are truly inspiring, and it's an honour to recognise the incredible work being done across the country. Each entry reflects a profound commitment to improving the lives of animals, and we're immensely proud to celebrate these achievements. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey to create a better world for every kind.
We are especially proud to welcome Animal Friends Insurance (AFI) as our headline sponsors for the 2025 PawPrints Awards. Their commitment to animal welfare helps us shine a brighter light on the incredible achievements of local authorities, housing providers, and public bodies across England and Wales
Special Recognition Awards 2025
Alan Goodall (Breckland District Council)
Congratulations to Alan Goodall of Breckland District Council, for his outstanding commitment to transforming licensing in Breckland, growing licences from 40 to 100+, tackling illegal breeders through creative strategies with HMRC/DWP, and building regional networks (now DEFRA-endorsed). Alan also mentors officers across East Anglia and his efforts have made a lasting impact, setting a new standard for animal welfare.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Georgia O'Brien (London Borough of Hounslow)
Congratulations to Georgia O-Brien of London Borough of Hounslow for being highly commended in this year’s awards! Having only been in her role for a year, she has already transformed enrichment for strays, created community roadshows, tackled XL Bully cases, executed complex Care Act interventions, and built partnerships across London. Georgia is a perfect example of inspiring early-career impact, and is setting a benchmark for excellence in animal welfare.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Simon Parks PSCO (South Yorkshire Police)
Congratulations to Simon Marks PCSO of South Yorkshire Police for being highly commended in this year’s awards! Simon’s exceptional commitment to animal welfare, exemplified through his dedication to tackling organised cruelty. Simon has been at the forefront of a 2+ year operation closing a 14-acre allotment site rife with cruelty, illegal breeding and fighting dogs/cockerels. Simon has also worked bravely under threats, securing multiple prosecutions and the closure of the site.
Innovator in Animal Welfare Award 2025
Stuart Ross and Hazel Cross (Hampshire Police)
Congratulations to Stuart Ross & Hazel Cross of Hampshire Police, the recipients of this year’s Innovator in Animal Welfare Award for their pioneering Humane Animal Dispatch scheme – which has seen a national rollout, and is delivering positive outcomes for both welfare and public safety. This scheme has set a commendable example for improving animal welfare in our community.
Massingham Advocacy Awards 2025
Named in tribute to Mrs. Speedwell Massingham, the first RSPCA Public Affairs staff member and one of the earliest women elected to the House of Commons, this award recognises her pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to animal welfare.
The award honours elected representatives (past and present) who have shown exceptional dedication in advocating for animals, promoting respect, kindness, and compassion for every kind. We're proud to announce the awardees of the Massingham Advocacy Award for 2025:
Cllr Richard Jeffcoat (Sandwell Council)
Congratulations to Cllr Richard Jeffocoat of Sandwell Council for being one of the recipients of this year’s Massingham Advocacy Award! Richard is recognised for his local leadership and tireless commitment to stronger protections for animals through community engagement and political advocacy. His tireless efforts have created a new benchmark, making him a true champion for animal welfare in his community.
The Lord Trees
Congratulations to The Lord Trees for being one of the recipients of this year’s Massingham Advocacy Award! One of the few vets, in Westminster and the only one in the House of Lords currently, has been a strong supporter of animal welfare promoting it at every opportunity in debates in the House of Lords. Most recently he spoke in the debate on the Bill to improve protection for livestock from attacks by dogs. His tireless efforts have significantly raised the profile of animal welfare in Parliament and contributed positively to national debates on these important issues.
Irene Campbell MP (Labour, North Ayrshire & Arran)
Congratulations to Irene Campbell MP, for being one of the recipients of this year’s Massingham Advocacy Award! Irene is a tireless champion for animal welfare in Parliament through raising awareness and advocating for the phase out of animals used in science, ending trail hunting, leading animal welfare debates on improving the welfare of farmed animals and supporting vital legislation such as the Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets Bill. This award celebrates Irene's compassion and unwavering advocacy for animals and we thank her for her continued partnership with the RSPCA in building a kinder future for every kind of animal.
Hero Awards
For the first time this year, the new Hero categories have highlighted individuals and initiatives making a direct difference on the ground to tackle specific animal welfare challenges.
Rod Mason (Care Act Hero, Test Valley Borough Council)
Congratulations to Rod Mason of Test Valley Borough Council, for winning the Care Act Hero Award! Rod is recognised for his work safeguarding pets under the Care Act, spearheading preventative solutions to protect animal welfare and ensuring vulnerable owners can enter hospital or care without fear for their pets’ welfare.
Mandie Stallard (Responsible Ownership Hero, Golding Homes)
Congratulations to Mandie Stallard of Golding Homes, for winning the Responsible Ownership Hero Award! Mandie is being celebrated for embedding animal welfare into public awareness campaigns and using data-driven insights to develop compassionate housing policies that protect and support tenants and their pets, directly improving lives.
Tara Boswell (Responsible Ownership Hero, Croydon Council)
Congratulations to Tara Boswell of Croydon Council, for winning the Responsible Ownership Hero Award! Tara is being celebrated for demonstrating resilience, creativity, and collaboration in advancing animal welfare and promoting responsible ownership.
Holly Raw (Public Awareness Hero, Manchester City Council)
Congratulations to Holly Raw of Manchester City Council for winning the Public Awareness Hero Award! Holly is being celebrated for advancing animal welfare through the Manchester City Council Feral Cat Project, having a large impact on both animal welfare and the local community.
Charlotte Williams (Responsible Ownership Hero, Colchester City Council)
Congratulations to Charlotte Williams of Colchester City Council for winning the Responsible Ownership Hero Award! Charlotte is being celebrated for promoting responsible ownership, covering behaviour change, public engagement and community support.
PawPrints Main Awards 2025
Since the inception of the PawPrints Awards, these categories have stood as the cornerstone of the scheme, celebrating the outstanding contributions of organisations, teams and individuals in various aspects of animal welfare. We extend our heartfelt thanks to this year's awardees for their unwavering dedication and exemplary service in the following key categories:
Stray Dog Services: Acknowledging those who go above and beyond in providing essential services for stray dogs, ensuring their safety, care, and eventual rehoming.
Animal Activity Licensing: Recognising excellence in the licensing of animal activities, ensuring that standards are met to protect the welfare of animals involved in licensed activities.
Housing: Celebrating initiatives that integrate animal welfare considerations into housing policies and practices, fostering environments where pets and people can thrive together.
Contingency Planning: Honouring exceptional planning and preparedness for emergencies which consider animal welfare, ensuring that animals and pet owners are safeguarded in times of crisis.
Kennelling: Commending high standards in the provision of kennelling services, ensuring that animals in temporary accommodation receive the highest level of care.
We extend our deepest gratitude to this year's awardees, whose commitment and passion continue to set the benchmark for excellence in animal welfare. Your contributions make a lasting impact in creating a world where all animals are treated with the respect, kindness and compassion they deserve.
Stray Dog Services
Platinum:
| Breckland District Council England |
| Broadland District Council England |
| Cardiff Dogs Home Wales |
| Charnwood Borough Council England |
| Cheshire West & Chester Borough Council England |
| Cornwall Council England |
| Croydon Council England |
| Dacorum Borough Council England |
| Forest of Dean District Council England |
| Great Yarmouth Borough Council England |
| London Borough of Hackney England |
| London Borough of Newham England |
| London Borough of Wandsworth England |
| Luton Council England |
| Medway Council England |
| North Norfolk District Council England |
| North West Leicestershire District Council England |
| Northumberland County Council England |
| Norwich City Council England |
| Portsmouth City Council England |
| Shared Regulatory Services (Bridgend, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Councils) Wales |
| South Norfolk District Council England |
| Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council England |
| Stroud District Council England |
| Swale Borough Council England |
| Westminster City Council England |
| Wiltshire Council England |
| Winchester City Council England |
| Wirral Council England |
Gold:
| BCDH - Bath Cats & Dogs Home England |
| Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk England |
| East Suffolk Council England |
| Havant Borough Council England |
| London Borough of Hounslow England |
| Oxford City Council / ODS England |
Bronze:
| Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council England |
| Reading Borough Council England |
Animal Activity Licensing
Platinum:
| City of London Corporation England |
| Guildford Borough Council England |
| London Borough of Newham England |
| Medway Council England |
| Shared Regulatory Services (Bridgend, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Councils) Wales |
| Westminster City Council England |
| Winchester City Council England |
Gold:
| Animal Licensing Wales Wales |
| Bristol City Council England |
| East Devon District Council England |
| East Hertfordshire District Council England |
| East Riding of Yorkshire Council England |
| Havant Borough Council England |
| London Borough of Hounslow England |
| Maldon District Council England |
| Manchester City Council England |
| Royal Borough of Greenwich England |
| Swale Borough Council England |
| Tendring District Council England |
| Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council England |
| Tunbridge Wells Borough Council England |
Silver:
| Brentwood Borough Council England |
| Castle Point Borough Council England |
| Colchester City Council England |
| Stroud District Council England |
| Thurrock Council England |
Bronze:
| Reading Borough Council England |
| Tamworth Borough Council England |
| Wirral Council England |
Housing
Platinum:
| Anchor Housing England |
| Dacorum Borough Council England |
| Housing Leeds England |
| London Borough of Wandsworth England |
| Westminster City Council England |
Gold:
| Golding Homes England |
| London Borough of Hounslow England |
| Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council England |
| Stroud District Council England |
| Victory Homes England |
Silver:
| Housing 21 England |
| Tendring District Council England |
Contingency Planning
Platinum:
| Monmouthshire County Council Wales |
Gold:
| Leeds City Council England |
| Stroud District Council England |
Bronze:
| Cardiff Council Wales |
| Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council England |
| Forest of Dean District Council England |
| London Borough of Hackney England |
| Westminster City Council England |
Kennelling
Platinum:
| BCDH - Bath Cats & Dogs Home England |
| Hope Rescue Wales |
| London Borough of Hounslow England |
| Shared Regulatory Services (Bridgend, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Councils) Wales |
Gold:
| Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk England |
| Breckland District Council England |
| Broadland District Council England |
| Cardiff Dogs Home Wales |
| East Suffolk Council England |
| Great Yarmouth Borough Council England |
| North Norfolk District Council England |
| Norwich City Council England |
| South Norfolk District Council England |