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rescue and care

We will improve welfare outcomes for animals in our care by improving our facilities and investing in our people, ensuring that every animal receives the right treatment at the right time.

We have rescued animals from cruelty, neglect and abuse for 200 years and our unique work will continue into the future. Our Inspectorate provides a vital frontline service, preventing harm, investigating offences and rescuing animals 365 days a year, while our animal centres and hospitals provide specialist expert treatment, rehabilitation and care, all while championing the animal voice.

But we are facing an ever-growing number of animals who need us, so, under this priority we will improve the welfare outcomes of these animals by reducing the time they spend with us; by improving the data we have to help us make evidence-based, timely decisions; and by promoting prevention activity in support of animal welfare, so animals can remain with, and be supported by, their owners. We also have ambitious plans for 2025: transforming our estate; commencing development plans to introduce a new site in the North of England; delivering enhancements to our buildings; and investing in our people.

The actions we will take

Environmental sustainability commitments

In 2025 we will also initiate the delivery of the Society’s net zero target for 2050 and environmental sustainability commitments, with a focus on decarbonisation.

Foundations building

This includes operations welfare training and addressing boarding costs and challenges around animal throughput. To improve animal welfare outcomes while making sure costs don’t escalate, we will aim to increase our capacity and reduce longer stays for animals in our care, including for those with more complex needs. We will invest in our people and their skill sets, so they can make the right welfare decisions for animals. This will include moving them into loving homes more quickly and, as a result, improving our ability to deliver the best possible outcomes for animals in our care.

Care Contribution Fund

We will continue to support our branches through the Care Contribution Fund, providing additional financial support to enable branches to make the most of their capacity and expertise and improve the welfare oversight of animals in our care.

Animal 360 digital improvements

Improving the experience of animals in our care also means building our capacity through technology and continuing our digital transformation with our Animal 360 digital improvements, including transformative systems such as Animal Shelter. In 2025 we will start the process of replacing our current animal welfare databases with Animal Shelter, meaning we will be able to track the journey of an animal at each step and ensure our people and partners have access to the right data at the right time to make decisions based on the best welfare outcomes. To enable this and future developments, we will extend the Society’s wireless network into the main animal care zones across our National Society animal and equine centres in 2025.