My long-standing love affair with the Animal Welfare Foundation

Ten years ago I had never heard of the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF), until I was asked to be a speaker at the annual AWF Discussion Forum. The topic, my long-standing soap-box, was pedigree dog health. I jumped at the chance and so began a decade-long and on-going love affair with AWF.

After doing the presentation, I found out through BVA that AWF were looking for new trustees, as they do every year. By then I had learnt more about this little-known charity and was desperate to be involved. Without being a proper specialist in anything, I didn’t fancy my chances but applied anyway and was over the moon to be accepted.

The job entailed going to various trustee meetings, contributing to discussions on the email loop and generally throwing myself into everything AWF does. But there’s so much more to AWF than that…

What makes AWF different from other animal charities?

AWF’s mission is to improve the welfare of all animals through education, research and debate. Now, compared to the behemoth charities that rehome animals and run heart-wrenching campaigns, AWF’s mission may sound a little dry to the general public. But to an avid scientist like me, it is pure gold.

Having been on the TV a bit in the past, I’ve been asked to jump on many a ‘welfare’ charity bandwagon but so often found what they are trying to achieve is misguided or unscientific. AWF is the exact opposite.

Grants are awarded to fund scientific and evidence-based welfare projects which have the potential to have wide reaching and demonstrable positive outcomes. Current projects include the development of a training package to help vets encourage and educate farmers to improve animal husbandry and adopt veterinary advice to improve dairy cattle welfare. Another project is investigating equine diseases using an electronic medical record database with the aim of learning new information to aid disease prevention and treatment.

A small charity tackling big issues

The annual AWF Discussion Forum, which has grown a lot since my time as a speaker, is a place where healthy debate stimulates on-going work and the press can understand which welfare issues are vets’ top priorities. The forum has tackled some biggies such as welfare at slaughter and the exotic pet trade, which many people may shy away from.

Vets and animal welfare enthusiasts also have the chance to propose topics for future debate. If you’ve never been before, I strongly recommend it.

On the education front, AWF provides lots of great information for vets and pet owners alike. Visit the AWF website for pet care advice and advice for vets, including a number of downloadable leaflets that you can order for the practice.

We (I say we, because I can’t let go even though I’m no longer a trustee!) also run student talks and debates at vet schools around the country every year - of course pizza and beer is also on offer.

Goodbyes are hard but let’s keep AWF evolving

Each trustee rotation is 3 years, which seemed like a long time when I started but it disappeared in a flash. I loved my time as an AWF trustee. One of the best things was hearing so many different opinions.

I previously felt that many welfare issues to my mind were black and white but listening to those with more specialist knowledge was fascinating and a real eye-opener.

At the end of the first rotation I was allowed, as everyone is, to re-apply for a second and final term. Luckily for me, I was re-elected and did another very fast 3-year rotation before I definitely had to leave. I didn’t want to go, and we had said goodbye to some amazing people during my 6 years, but it is an essential part of the process in keeping the charity fresh and evolving.

Get involved with AWF

I am fortunate enough that AWF introduced a new ambassador role near the end of my term so I can still count myself as involved!

Being an AWF trustee has opened my eyes and taught me a vast amount. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in animal welfare. You need to be a vet to be a trustee, but vet nurses can get involved too by becoming an AWF representative in your region.

You’ll be helping a great little charity grow and expand, help the welfare of potentially thousands of animals and you’ll have a great time in the process.