Activists worked tirelessly to improve the welfare of animals throughout 2021 - and they’re not slowing down anytime soon.
In 2021, the UK Government launched the pet theft taskforce to gather evidence about the increase in pet theft during lockdown.
They produced a report with recommendations going forward.
It discovered seven out of every 10 pet thefts recorded to the police involved dogs - and as a result, pet abduction was made a criminal offence in England.
Not only this but the #FlopNotCrop campaign was debated in Parliament with plans to take action, Reggie’s Law’s petition to regulate online dog sales was handed to 10 Downing Street, and the Welsh government launched an Animal Welfare Plan and voted to tighter regulate animal rescue centres.
There were several moves to lessen the danger of fireworks to animals, with Sainsburys launching silent fireworks and MPs even debating ending back garden firework displays.
However, there is still plenty of space for things to improve, especially as puppy farms have been causing more breeding issues than ever.
As animal welfare is a devolved issue, many of these issues are campaigned separately across the UK, but all still fight for the respect for animals.
Here are nine dog related campaigns to keep an eye on in 2022 - and what you can do to help:
#FlopNotCrop or #CutTheCrop
The #FlopNotCrop campaign run by The FOAL Group strives to tighten regulations to stop the loopholes surrounding ear cropping of puppies.
Currently ear cropping dogs is illegal in the UK but it is still legal to import ear cropped dogs.
Many breeders take advantage of this fact by cropping the puppies’ ears themselves, which increases their value, and buying fake pet passports to make out the puppies have been imported from abroad.
You can help by not sharing images of dogs online with ear cropped ears - the social media trend is partially why these dogs have such high value.
Reggie’s Law
Set up by pilot Richard Ackers after his puppy died within 48 hours, Reggie’s Law vows to more tightly regulate online dog sales.
Ackers believes the puppy was illegally shipped to the country and wants a number of new regulations on online dog sales including higher penalties, all breeders to be registered with a fixed address for legal inspections and pictures of puppies suckling on their mum on websites for proof of no foul play.
End Greyhound racing in the UK
Campaigns to end greyhound racing in the UK have been running for several years, particularly piquing after almost 1,000 racing greyhounds died or were killed in 2018.
Thankfully that number has fallen in the last couple of years, but it remains as high as 400.
Hope Rescue in Llanharan, south Wales, is currently heading a campaign to end greyhound racing in Wales and you can sign their online petition .
Guide Dogs’ campaign to regulate use of e-scooters
The rise of e-scooters may be exciting for some, but it is downright terrifying for visually impaired people and equally dangerous for their guide dogs.
Guide Dogs is calling for e-scooters to be “fitted with better safety features, such as an audible warning on moving e-scooters, better enforcement against unsafe use and regulation of private e-scooter sales”.
The campaign comes after visually impaired Elaine Maries from Milton Keynes was hit by an e-scooter and knocked into her guide dog, Inca.
Access all areas
Another Guide Dogs campaign - this one is for assistance dogs to be allowed into all venues like restaurants and shops.
The campaign was launched in 2015 after hearing that several guide dog owners had been refused entry with their dogs, which is mostly illegal.
You can sign up for campaign updates and help by sharing posts on social media and writing to MPs.
#Bangoutoforder / regulate fireworks
This is one the RSPCA have coined #Bangoutoforder, but is being campaigned by several groups - TeamDogs also ran Toffee’s Appeal last year to quieten fireworks.
Last year MPs debated ending back garden firework shows, Sainsburys decided not to sell fireworks and ASDA launched low noise fireworks while Morrisons sold fireworks online only.
RSPCA intends to continue this campaign into 2022 with more private firework displays happening than ever.
The campaign hopes to encourage local councils to license firework displays.
Change breed specific legislation
Blue Cross is campaigning to end breed specific legislation which euthanises thousands of dogs per year under section one of the Dangerous Dog Act.
The current law bans four types of dog based on appearance and measurements rather than whether a dog has behaved badly.
The banned types are pitbull terriers, Japanese tosas, dogo Argentinas, fila Brasilerios, any crossbreeds of those types and any which fit the physical descriptions of these breeds.
Blue Cross asks supporters to spread the message, combat the misinformation about “dangerous” breeds, sign their petition and write to their MP.
Include animal welfare in education
The RSPCA is calling for animal welfare to be included in education to encourage more people to enjoy healthy relationships with animals throughout their lives.
The charity hopes that teaching children empathy and compassion for living beings is the first step to combat issues that impact the lives of animals today such as neglect, litter and farming practices
You can help out by signing the petition .
Minimum standards for animals sanctuaries in Wales
The RSPCA is also calling for #safersanctuaries in Wales, where several sanctuaries have been set up by loving and caring people but without proper regulations.
The Animal Welfare Network for Wales has guidance to ensure the welfare of animals in sanctuaries, but the RSPCA wants this to become law for all sanctuaries.
You can add your name to a letter to Lesley Griffiths AM, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural affairs.
