Local Voice for Animals: Building Kinder Communities Together
Animals and humans are deeply connected. How we treat animals reflects the kind of society we want to be.
Whether it's protecting pets, supporting farmers, or safeguarding wildlife, councils have the power to create lasting change - not just for animals, but for the people who care about them.
As a councillor, your leadership matters. The choices you make today can help shape a community where every animal is respected and treated with kindness and compassion.
Five Missions for Animals
This manifesto sets out five practical missions to help you make a difference:
- Protect pets and promote responsible ownership
- Raise welfare standards for farm animals
- Safeguard wildlife and natural habitats
- Enforce animal welfare laws effectively
- Build partnerships to create lasting impact
Take the pledge and join councillors across the country who are stepping up for animals - creating safer, kinder, and more compassionate communities. Because animal welfare is everyone's welfare.
Mission 1: Protecting Pets and Promoting Responsible Ownership
For every kind of pet. For every kind of owner. For ever kind of community.
Pets enrich our lives with love and companionship. But when times are tough, they're often the first to suffer. Stray dogs and cats go without shelter. Owners face barriers to housing. We can change that.
Why it matters:
Pets are family. But when support systems fail, their wellbeing - and their owners' - can suffer. These are community issues, not just animal ones.
What you can do:
- Strengthen licensing compliance for breeders, pet shops and boarders.
- Invest in stray dog services and promote responsible pet ownership.
- Support pet-friendly housing and contingency planning for emergencies.
- Lead campaigns on microchipping, neutering, vet care and dog safety.
Your impact:
You'll help families stay together, protect vulnerable animals, and create a gold standard for pet welfare in your community.
Mission 2: Raising Welfare Standards for Farm Animals
Every farm animal deserves compassion, respect, and a good life.
Farm animals are sentient beings with feelings and needs. Yet too many are kept in conditions that don't meet even basic welfare standards.
Why it matters:
These animals play a vital role in our communities and food systems. Councils can influence how they're treated through the choices they make every day.
What you can do:
- Serve high-welfare food (e.g. RSPCA Assured, organic, free-range) in public services.
- Work with farmers to support humane practice and access funding.
- End cruel practices like cages and farrowing crates on council land.
- Ensure effective enforcement through trading standards and other agencies.
Your impact:
A more compassionate food system. Public trust in your leadership. And animals treated with the care they deserve.
Mission 3: Safeguarding Wildlife Welfare and Natural Habitats
Wild animals deserve a safe habitat and a world where they can thrive.
From urban development and roadworks to snares, glue traps, and trail hunting, wildlife are too often put at risk. Councils have the opportunity to lead by example - making choices that protect wild animals and help communities live in harmony with nature.
Why it matters:
Wildlife are sentient, not scenery. From hedgehogs harmed by strimmers to foxes caught in snares or birds trapped by netting, the risks are real - but preventable. Councils have the power to protect wild animals and set the standard for coexistence.
What you can do:
- Ban cruel methods like snares, glue traps, and harmful netting.
- Prohibit trail hunting on council-owned land.
- Time maintenance works to avoid harming wildlife during nesting or hibernation.
- Support reputable wildlife rescues and raise public awareness.
Your impact:
Safe habitats. Humane practices. Communities that protect all animals - not just pets - and give nature a chance to flourish.
Mission 4: Enforcing Animal Welfare Laws Effectivley
Good laws only work when they're effectivley enforced.
Animal welfare laws are there to protect - but without proper enforcement, they fall short. Councils are key to making sure animals are truly safe.
Why it matters:
Weak enforcement allows suffering to continue. With the right tools, your council can save lives, support owners, and build trust with the community.
What you can do:
- Fund and train animal welfare officers.
- Create clear, accessible reporting systems for concerns.
- Collaborate internally and externally to tackle animal cruelty and neglect cases.
- Use RSPCA guidance to align with enforcement best practices.
Your impact:
Stronger protections. Safer communities. A public that knows you'll act when animals are at risk.
Mission 5: Building Partnerships for Long-Lasting Impact
Together, we can achieve more for animals and people.
The most effective change happens when we work together. From community groups to councillors, animal welfare is a shared responsibility.
Why it matters:
Councils can bring people together - building networks that are stronger, faster, and more effective than acting alone.
What you can do:
- Adopt the Local Government Animal Welfare Charter.
- Join councillor networks to share ideas and momentum.
- Support national animal welfare campaigns like #KindSparks and Pets as Prizes.
- Collaborate with schools, charities and businesses to drive awareness and behaviour change.
Your impact:
Connected communities. Shared purpose. A culture of kindness that spreads far beyond your council chamber.
Your Role in Creating a Better World
Every animal deserves a good life. And every councillor has a role in making that possible.
Your leadership can help build communities rooted in compassion - where animals and people are safe, supported, and respected.
And you won't be doing it alone. The RSPCA is here to support you every step of the way.
How we can help:
- Best practice guides and policy templates.
- Training and networking opportunities for councillors.
- Community campaign tools and resources.
- Advocacy and data support for local lobbying.
- Recognition through the PawPrints Awards
Take the Pledge
Join councillors across the country who are taking action for animals.
Step up for every kind - because animal welfare is everyone's welfare.
Contact Us
Want to talk through your next steps? We're here to help.
Lee Gingell: lee.gingell@rspca.org.uk
Public Affairs team: politicalaffairs@rspca.org.uk
Twitter/X: @RSPCA_PATeam | @RSPCAofficial