Stroud District Council has been recognised nationally for its commitment to animal welfare, winning three prestigious RSPCA PawPrints Awards.
The council’s Animal Welfare service retained its Platinum Stray Dog Services award and upgraded its Silver Animal Licensing award to Gold this year – a testament to its high standards in caring for stray dogs and ensuring compliance in licensable activities.
The council’s Housing Service also celebrated success, achieving a Gold award for the second year running for its pet-friendly housing policies and support for responsible pet ownership among tenants.
Councillor Martin Pearcy, Chair of Stroud District Council’s Environment Committee said: “These awards highlight the dedication of our officers and teams who go above and beyond to make animal welfare a priority across the council’s work. From locating and caring for stray animals to recognising the important role pets play in the wellbeing of our tenants, we’re committed to creating a district where animals are safe and cared for.
“Thank you to the RSPCA for recognising our efforts and for championing higher standards in animal welfare nationwide.”
Senior Animal Welfare Officer Alex Myrie added: “Achieving PawPrints Awards year after year is something we’re incredibly proud of. These awards recognise the daily work we do to keep animals safe and well, and that means a lot to our team.
“Collaboration is key – we work closely with the police, the RSPCA, colleagues across the council, local volunteers and animal shelters. Animal welfare is a shared responsibility, and these partnerships make a real difference.
“The whole council values these awards because they show our community how seriously we take animal welfare in everything we do.”
The RSPCA PawPrints Awards are the only scheme of their kind, celebrating local authorities and public bodies for pioneering work in animal welfare across England and Wales.
Lee Gingell, Public Affairs Manager at the RSPCA, said: “We are thrilled to recognise Stroud District Council in this year’s PawPrints Awards. Their commitment to animal welfare is truly commendable and reflects the high standards that the PawPrints awards aim to celebrate. By winning these awards, Stroud District Council has demonstrated outstanding dedication to protecting, promoting and enhancing animal welfare, and we hope their achievements inspire others to strive for excellence in this vital area.”
