Explore Categories
The PawPrints Awards celebrate the people and organisations making a real difference for animals in local government and public services. With five core categories, five new Hero categories, and four prestigious special awards, the PawPrints Awards highlight innovative ideas, dedication, and best practices in protecting, promoting and enhancing animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.
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
Eligibility and Criteria
The PawPrints Awards features three types of categories, each designed to acknowledge different aspects of animal welfare work:
- Core Categories: Open to local authorities and public sector organisations providing provisions such as stray dog services, licensing, housing, emergency planning, and kennelling.
- Hero Categories: Highlighting public sector organisations or individuals tackling specific animal welfare challenges, such as Pets and the Care Act 2014 and Animals and Fireworks.
- Special Awards: Recognising individuals, teams, and partnerships for exceptional contributions to animal welfare.
Final category criteria and eligibility details will be published when the entry window opens on 31st March 2025.
Core Award Categories
The five main PawPrints awards shine a spotlight on best practices in public services, covering stray dog services, animal activity licensing, housing and animal welfare, contingency planning and kennelling.
Entries can achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold status, showing the steps organisations are taking to protect and enhance animal welfare.
Those achieving Gold for five consecutive years will earn the prestigious Platinum PawPrints award.
New for 2025, we're introducing Gold Plus and Platinum Plus to recognise organisations excelling across multiple categories:
- Gold Plus: Awarded to organisations achieving Gold in four or more core categories.
- Platinum Plus: Awarded to organisations achieving Platinum in four or more core categories.
These new levels celebrate organisations going above and beyond to raise animal welfare standards.
Stray Dog Services
Recognising excellence in managing stray dog collection, care and rehoming services.
What we're looking for:
- Staff trained in welfare-focused handling and behaviour support for dogs.
- Strong procedures for caring for sick or injured stray dogs.
- Effective microchipping enforcement and responsible ownership initiatives.
- Reliable out-of-hours services, good record-keeping, and clear rehoming policies.
Licensing of Activities Involving Animals
Highlighting the best in licensing and regulation of animal-related businesses and activities.
What we're looking for:
- Proactive enforcement of licensing regulations, including investigations and prosecutions.
- Strong welfare-focused training for licensing officers.
- Collaboration with enforcement agencies and welfare groups.
- Licensing policies that drive up welfare standards across licensing premises.
Housing and Animal Welfare
Celebrating policies that support pet-friendly housing and animal welfare in housing services.
What we're looking for:
- Pet-friendly housing policies that support and promote responsible ownership.
- Clear guidance for tenants, including access to welfare support and veterinary services.
- Policies preventing breeding or selling animals on housing premises.
- Microchipping and neutering initiatives to support responsible pet ownership.
Contingency/Emergency Planning
Acknowledging forward-thinking emergency plans that protect animals in a crisis.
What we're looking for:
- Emergency response plans that include pets and other animals.
- Practical arrangements for evacuation, sheltering and care of animals.
- Effective collaboration with emergency services and animal welfare organisations.
Kennelling
Recognising high quality and innovative kennelling for stray or seized animals.
What we're looking for:
- Kennels that meet RSPCA best practice standards for welfare.
- Partnerships with qualified behaviour specialists.
- Initiatives that improve the welfare and rehoming prospects of dogs.
NEW: Hero Categories
New for 2025, the Hero Categories highlight the work being done to tackle specific animal welfare challenges.
2025 Hero Categories:
- Care Act Hero: Recognising efforts to support pet owners entering hospital or care, ensuring their animals are safeguarded and their welfare is protected.
- Public Awareness Hero: Celebrating public awareness campaigns that effectively educate and engage communities on animal welfare issues.
- Mental Wellbeing Hero: Highlighting support for pet owners struggling with mental health and wellbeing challenges.
- Fireworks Action Hero: Showcasing organisations working to reduce the impact of fireworks on animals and vulnerable people.
- Responsible Ownership Hero: Celebrating initiatives promoting responsible dog ownership, covering engagement, education and support.
Special Awards
These four awards celebrate individuals and organisations making a lasting impact on animal welfare.
Special Recognition Award
For individuals or teams who have made an outstanding contribution to animal welfare.
What we're looking for:
- Inspirational work that has made a real difference for animals.
- Stories of dedication, innovation, and going the extra mile.
- Supporting evidence such as case studies, testimonials, or media coverage.
Innovator in Animal Welfare Award
For those leading the way with new and creative solutions to animal welfare challenges.
What we're looking for:
- Unique and forward-thinking approaches to improving animal welfare.
- Evidence of real impact - whether through measurable results or policy change.
- Collaborative working that amplifies success.
Massingham Advocacy Award
Honouring elected representatives who champion animal welfare in public debates and policy development.
What we're looking for:
- MPs, councillors, mayors, or police and crime commissioners who have driven real change.
- Advocacy that has influenced laws, policies, or public awareness.
Withnall Partnerships Award
NEW for 2025 - celebrating outstanding partnerships between the RSPCA, animal welfare organisations, and other teams or individuals.
What we're looking for:
- Strong partnerships that have led to real improvements in animal welfare.
- Collaborations between councils, enforcement agencies, charities, businesses and more.
- Recognition for both long-term partnerships and impactful short-term collaborations.