THE ANIMAL WELFARE EVIDENCE CENTRE
The Animal Welfare Evidence Centre generates research to strengthen our understanding of the drivers and causes of animal harm, so we can work together to change the way society treats animals.
What we do
Exploring the relationship between animals and humans
The RSPCA and Katherine Martin Charitable Trust have come together to set up and fund the Animal Welfare Evidence Centre.
This is a partnership between the RSPCA and three leading animal welfare organisations: Compassion in World Farming, FOUR PAWS UK and Humane World for Animals UK.
our goal
The Centre aims to plug critical gaps in our understanding of the human-animal relationship by building and strengthening evidence to support more effective prevention of animal harm.
The centre explores:
- Our understanding of the drivers and causes of animal harm, and how we can prevent it
- The relationship between humans and animals and what influences the way we use them as food, and in sport, entertainment, and fashion
- How animal welfare is linked to other key issues, such as health or housing
- How we can put animals at the heart of policy-making
Driving change
Why evidence matters
The Centre exists to deepen our understanding of public awareness, attitudes and cultural norms around animals. It will support long-term change by filling critical gaps in research and growing the evidence base.
All research, briefings and reports are shared publicly, enabling the animal welfare sector and wider partners to drive improvement in animal welfare, specifically to:
- 1 reduce animal harm;
- 2 influence behaviour towards animals;
- 3 embed animal welfare consideration across government policy and decision-making in the UK.
The Centre takes a three-pronged approach to its research.
Fills evidence gaps
It identifies and addresses evidence gaps in society’s understanding of why people cause harm towards animals, and identifies and evaluates interventions that can prevent this.
Uses an intersectional approach
It goes beyond the boundaries of the animal welfare sector and draws on and applies research from other fields, such as psychology, economics, and behavioural science.
Applying a systemic lens
It applies a systemic lens to fill a gap in society’s understanding of how animal welfare relates to other social, environmental and economic goals.
Working together
Who is this evidence for?
By recognising that the challenges facing animals, people and the planet are interlinked, the Centre seeks to put animals at the heart of policy-making. It supports partners to work together, creating interventions and embedding new practices to reduce harmful behaviour towards animals.
While the Centre is primarily focused on the UK, it reviews evidence from abroad and engages with international stakeholders.
If you want to know more about the Centre, please contact: policy@rspca.org.uk
These are the primary partners who will benefit
from the Centre’s work.
The Animal welfare sector
Animal welfare organisations can use the reliable, broad evidence base as a platform for their own advocacy work and decision-making.
National, devolved and local governments
Robust and independent evidence on the welfare of animals can underpin meaningful change in legislation, policy-making and practice.
The Public sector
Plugging the evidence gaps can help the public sector, including the police and health service, make effective, more informed, and evidence-based decisions.
RESEARCH
We welcome collaboration on future research, and our reports are available for citation.
our work
Explore the Centre
Find out more about the Animal Welfare Evidence Centre’s origins, aims and objectives.
The Animal Welfare Evidence Centre is a critical opportunity to deepen our understanding of what drives humans to harm animals so we can lay the foundations for the truly transformational change we all want to see for animals.
Independent research funded by the Katherine Martin Charitable Trust and the RSPCA