Founding partners
Meet the animal welfare organisations who founded the Animal Welfare Evidence Centre with a joint vision to improve animal welfare through evidence-based research.
The origins of the Centre
The RSPCA and three founding partners – Compassion in World Farming, FOUR PAWS UK and Humane World for Animals UK – are animal welfare organisations that occupy a key role within the UK animal welfare sector. They represent a cross-section of issues affecting animals in the UK, and will help steer our direction to ensure the Centre’s research meets the needs of the whole animal welfare sector, and reflects wider societal issues.
RSPCA
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the world’s oldest and largest animal welfare organisation. For over 200 years it’s changed lives, minds, laws and industries, improving the welfare of millions of animals. It’s at the forefront of rescue and rehabilitation, protecting animals from harm, cruelty and neglect.
Through education, advocacy, and its millions-strong movement of supporters and volunteers, it exists to inspire everyone to create a better world for every animal.
Reflecting its science-based approach to animal welfare and commitment to partnership-working, the RSPCA founded the Animal Welfare Evidence Centre to plug critical gaps in evidence and give the sector and wider society the tools to drive long-term systemic change.
“The Centre is a vital resource that aims to future-proof the welfare of animals, protecting them from harm,” says Thomas Schulz-Jagow, RSPCA Director of Advocacy and Prevention and Chair of the Centre’s Advisory Board.
“Collaboration is key, as we work together to develop the evidence and insights needed to quantify change, develop interventions, influence policy, and embed new practices.”
Meet our founding partners
Compassion in World Farming
Compassion in World Farming was founded in 1967 by a British dairy farmer who was horrified by the development of intensive factory farming. Today, Compassion is the leading farmed animal welfare organisation, dedicated to ending factory farming and achieving humane and sustainable food.
“Factory farming is the primary cause of cruelty,” says Dr Christopher Browne, Compassion’s Global Head of Research and Policy.
“We believe the Animal Welfare Evidence Centre is key to identifying and helping resolve the causes of harm to protect animal welfare. Together, through a collaborative partnership with the RSPCA, FOUR PAWS UK and Humane World for Animals, we can deliver the systematic changes needed to protect animals, people and the planet.
“We hope the Centre will contribute to improving animal welfare and making a lasting impact. Through commissioning further research and identifying the evidence gaps, the Centre will be positioned to share, distribute, collaborate and engage with the findings, helping to further the advancement of animal welfare.”
FOUR PAWS UK
FOUR PAWS is a global animal welfare organisation for those animals under direct human influence. It reveals suffering, and rescues and protects animals in need. Its vision is a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding.
“We’re delighted to be a founding member of the Animal Welfare Evidence Centre and excited to be involved in this opportunity to shape the future of research for improving animal welfare worldwide,” says Sonul Badiani-Hamment, UK Country Director at FOUR PAWS.
“Working alongside our partners at the RSPCA, Compassion in World Farming and Humane World for Animals, we’re optimistic that we can reframe the nation's approach to animals and strengthen the belief that all animals must be treated with respect, empathy and understanding.”
Humane World for Animals
Humane World for Animals tackles the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to create permanent change. Active in over 50 countries, the organisation works to end the cruellest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. By driving global impact, it aims to achieve the vision behind its name: a more humane world.
The Animal Welfare Evidence Centre reflects the organisation’s conviction that lasting solutions to animal cruelty and suffering must be grounded in strong evidence and a deep understanding of underlying causes.
“As a founding member, we’re keen to help shape the Centre’s priorities, including in emerging areas such as economics and artificial intelligence,” says Executive Director of Humane World for Animals UK, David Elliott.
“The Centre provides an important opportunity for charities, policy-makers, and communities to unite for animals behind robust research. By improving our understanding of the root causes of animal suffering and abuse, the Centre will empower everyone working to protect animals to ensure interventions are not only compassionate, but also informed, effective and sustainable.”
