First Gold win in the RSPCA PawPrints Awards

Our licensing team has won a Gold Animal Activity Licensing Award in the RSPCA PawPrints Awards.

The RSPCA PawPrint Awards celebrate local authorities, housing providers and emergency services that have gone above and beyond caring for animals in their communities.

The awards, which include five categories recognise excellent practises in animal welfare. The categories are:

• stray dog services
• contingency planning
• housing policy
• animal activity licensing
• kennelled dog welfare.

Lead Councillor for Regulatory and Democratic Services Cllr Merel Rehorst-Smith, said:

"Congratulations to our team for their fantastic achievement. Our officers work hard to ensure our standards remain high when it comes to the welfare of animals in our borough. This award is a great reflection of their hard work.

"We regularly inspect licensed businesses to make sure they meet the required high standards of care. The businesses must have relevant experience or qualifications looking after pets. We also encourage our residents to let us know if they become aware of an unlicensed business. Unlicensed businesses are unlikely to have valid insurance.

"Our residents play a big part in supporting our team effort. It is also important that as an animal owner, they are aware of animal activities that need to be licenced."

The activities in need of licensing are:

• Boarding dogs in your house
• Providing day-care for dogs
• Boarding dogs in kennels
• Boarding cats
• Selling animals as pets
• Breeding dogs
• Hiring out horses
• Keeping a Zoo
• Keeping a dangerous wild animal (defined by a Schedule in the Act)
• Keeping, or training animals for exhibition

Lee Gingell, the RSPCA's public affairs manager for local government, said: 

"Despite the challenging situation for all local authorities and public bodies across the country, we're thrilled to see Guildford Council pick up the RSPCA's Animal Activity Licensing (Gold) PawPrints Award. 

"It's a tough time for pet owners as the cost of living crisis continues, and a tough time too for local authorities and public bodies as demands increase and resources decline. In the face of these challenges, we're proud to award Guildford Council as part of the PawPrints Awards for implementing and promoting schemes and policies that protect and promote animal welfare, and support pet owners - now more important than ever. 

"From delivering events and providing information to promote responsible pet ownership to offering free and/or low-cost microchipping and neutering services and policies to protect animals during emergencies, staff do so much great work behind the scenes. Too often, their dedication, commitment, and inspirational work go unsung and don't get the credit they deserve. 

"PawPrints is all about shouting from the rooftops; recognising individuals and teams and celebrating and promoting best practices. We're delighted to showcase Guildford Council and their work to protect and promote animal welfare; going above and beyond for animals and looking past statutory minimums because it's the right thing to do - for humans and animals."

Further details about animal licensing