Explore the diverse array of PawPrints awards, encompassing eight distinct categories, which also feature three prestigious "special" awards. These awards honour exceptional animal welfare practices and pioneering innovations.
“Entering PawPrints is one of the best things I've done in my career. It's the only award scheme I know that recognises the hard work I've put into the dog warden service over the years. I highly recommend it to all local authorities. It doesn't take long to enter and it's a great way to showcase your hard work and promote good practices.”
Tara Boswell, Croydon Council
Main Awards
Discover the five main PawPrints awards designed to recognise and celebrate exemplary practices within the local public sector, spanning areas such as stray dog services, animal activity licensing, housing, contingency planning and kennelling. Dive into the detailed information below outlining the criteria and eligibility for each category.
Within each category, participants can strive for excellence across three distinct levels: bronze, silver and gold. Each level presents increasingly demanding criteria, offering a meaningful progression for individuals and organisations seeking to enhance and elevate their animal welfare practices and procedures.
Organisations achieving gold-level PawPrints awards in any category for five or more consecutive years earn the coveted platinum-level award. This top-tier recognition acknowledges their enduring commitment to the PawPrints awards and exemplifies their sustained dedication to animal welfare.
Stray Dog Services
This award welcomes submissions from either a single council or a collaborative partnership of councils, where applicable. It is designed to commend your accomplishments in safeguarding the welfare of stray dogs throughout
their stay in your care, as well as your efforts in promoting responsible ownership. Additionally, it is worth considering the kennelling category for a more comprehensive recognition of your initiatives.
Criteria:
The criteria for this award encompass various aspects, including, but not limited to, proficient handling, welfare considerations and behavioural training for staff. It also takes into account the implementation of procedures to ensure the proper care of sick and injured strays, enforcement of microchipping legislation, and proactive promotion of responsible ownership. Additionally, the award evaluates the provision of reception or staffed out-of-hours services, meticulous record management, and the presence of a rehoming policy designed to safeguard the welfare of dogs.
Licensing of Activities Involving Animals
This award welcomes submissions from either a single council or a collaborative partnership of councils, where applicable. It seeks to commend your noteworthy achievements in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all animals involved in licensable activities. Furthermore, it acknowledges your efforts in enforcing legislation and prosecuting offences, underscoring your commitment to upholding the highest standards of animal welfare and legal compliance.
Criteria:
The criteria for this award encompass various aspects, including, but not limited to, proficient handling, welfare considerations and behavioural training for staff. It also takes into account the implementation of procedures to ensure the proper care of sick and injured strays, enforcement of microchipping legislation, and proactive promotion of responsible ownership. Additionally, the award evaluates the provision of reception or staffed out-of-hours services, meticulous record management, and the presence of a rehoming policy designed to safeguard the welfare of dogs.
Housing
This award welcomes submissions from either a single council, a partnership of councils, or any registered social housing provider in England and Wales. It's designed to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments in safeguarding the welfare of the pets belonging to your tenants, while also emphasising your dedication to promoting responsible ownership.
Criteria:
The criteria for this award encompass several key elements, including, but not limited to, the presence of a positive housing policy that exhibits flexibility to accommodate pets. It requires a clearly defined complaints procedure and a prohibition on breeding and/or vending animals on the property. The criteria also involve providing owners with a list of local and reputable animal welfare organisations and veterinary services, written resources for information, advice and support to promote responsible ownership, maintaining accurate and up-to-date record management, and offering a discounted or free-of-cost microchipping/identification service and neutering.
Contingency/Emergency Planning
This award welcomes submissions from either a single council or a collaborative partnership of Local Resilience Forums (LRFs). It aims to recognise and applaud your notable achievements in safeguarding the welfare of animals by ensuring their inclusion in contingency and emergency planning efforts.
Criteria:
The criteria for this award encompass several vital aspects, including, but not limited to, the identification of locations as temporary animal shelters with a well-defined pet evacuation plan. Additionally, it involves disseminating information to residents that promotes preparedness, maintaining a contact list of veterinary practices and animal welfare organisations capable of assisting during an emergency, active involvement of animal welfare organisations in planning and exercises, and possessing or having access to vari-kennel facilities during emergencies.
Kennelling
This award welcomes submissions from kennelling providers, whether operated and managed by a single council, a collaborative partnership of councils (where applicable), or a private establishment under contract with a single council or partnership of councils (where applicable). Its purpose is to acknowledge and honour your accomplishments in safeguarding the welfare of dogs within your kennelling facilities.
Criteria:
The criteria for this award encompass various essential factors, including but not limited to, ensuring that the welfare needs of dogs are met and aligned with RSPCA good practices. Additionally, it involves establishing a working relationship with, and visits by, a suitably qualified and experienced behaviour specialist. Furthermore, the criteria encompass additional initiatives aimed at promoting the overall welfare of dogs under your care.
Special Awards
Explore the three prestigious "special" PawPrints awards designed to recognise and celebrate an individual or organisation who has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting, promoting, and enhancing animal welfare. Delve into the information below outlining the criteria and eligibility for each "special award" category.
Special Recognition Award
This award is open to a diverse range of participants, including single councils, collaborative partnerships of councils where applicable, housing providers, multi-agency groups, police, fire and rescue, the military, as well as individual staff members within these sectors. It seeks to recognise both individuals and/or organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to animal welfare over the past year, serving as inspiring examples for others to uphold respect, kindness and compassion towards animals.
Judges and awarded by an external panel comprised of the RSPCA and animal welfare subject matter experts, this accolade accepts nominations from both self-applicants and third parties. Whether you choose to nominate yourself, your organisation, someone else, or another organisation, the recognition is intended for those who have made outstanding and inspirational contributions to the welfare of animals.
Criteria:
This accolade stands apart from the other PawPrints awards by not having predefined criteria. The judging panel seeks truly inspirational entries, showcasing unwavering commitment and dedication to the protection and enhancement of animal welfare. To assist you in crafting a compelling entry, we recommend submissions between 1,000 and 2,500 words. Feel free to supplement your entry with images and other media to bolster your message, and the inclusion of case studies is highly encouraged, The emphasis is on showcasing your dedication and making a compelling case for contributions to animal welfare.
Innovator in Animal Welfare Award
This award is available to a diverse range of participants, including single councils, collaborative partnerships of councils where applicable, housing providers, multi-agency groups, police, fire and rescue, and the military. It aims to commend those who have embraced innovative strategies to address specific challenges and issues in the realm of animal welfare. The judging and awarding process is overseen by an external panel comprised of the RSPCA and animal welfare subject matter experts.
Nominations for this award are open to both self-applicants and third parties. Whether you choose to nominate yourself, your organisation, someone else, or another organisation, the goal is to spotlight those who have demonstrated a pioneering spirit in addressing issues related to animal welfare.
Criteria
This accolade stands apart from the other PawPrints awards by not having predefined criteria. The judging panel seeks entries that are both inspirational and pioneering, illustrating innovative and imaginative approaches to addressing animal welfare issues. Past submissions have showcased groundbreaking practices, inspiring others to enhance animal welfare, fostering improved communication, and identifying new, cost-effective, or innovative methods to tackle animal welfare challenges and issues.
As a guide, your entry should be concise and limited to a maximum of 2,000 words. Feel free to enhance your submission with images and other media, with case studies warmly welcomed. When preparing your entry for the Innovator in Animal Welfare Award, we advise you to consider the following points:
What sets your approach apart from others? Why is it deemed innovative?
Outline the aims and reasons behind your initiative, and evaluate whether they have been achieved. If not, what were the challenges?
Present any results or outcomes, be they statistical or anecdotal, that substantiate your entry.
Clearly articulate how your project contributes to the improvement of animal welfare.
If collaboration with other organisations was essential, detail which ones were involved and how you involved them.
Discuss whether your project was resource-intensive or cost-effective.
Share the key insights gained from this initiative.
Explore the future of the project: is it an ongoing effort of a one-time endeavour? What are the potential next steps?
Massingham Advocacy Award
The Massingham Advocacy Award stands as a newly introduced category this year, commemorating both the RSPCA's bicentennial milestone and the centennial anniversary of the RSPCA's Public Affairs team. The award is named in honour of Mrs. Gertrude Speedwell Massingham, a trailblazer who served as the first RSPCA Public Affairs staff member and was among the earliest women elected to the House of Commons. Mrs. Massingham's legacy as a true pioneer and fervent advocate for animal welfare resonates with the essence of this new award.
This newly established award invites submissions from a diverse range of elected officials, including MPs, MSs, Peers, councillors, mayors and police and crime commissioners. Its purpose is to honour and celebrate the dedicated efforts of these individuals in advocating for animals and their welfare, acknowledging their positive contributions towards fostering a world where all animals are treated with respect, kindness and compassion. The judging and awarding process is conducted by the RSPCA's Public Affairs team, with the final awardee selected by the RSPCA's Chief Executive.
Nominations for this prestigious award are open to both self-applicants and third parties. Whether the nominee is self-nominated or by someone else, the award seeks to commend those who passionately advocate for the welfare of all animals and contribute to changing laws, minds and practices.
