2025 Animal Welfare Award Nominees
About the Category
Sponsored by Four Paws UK, this category recognises UK politicians who have done the most to protect wildlife both in the UK and abroad. The ideal candidate will have gone above and beyond to advocate for policies that safeguard the welfare of animals, particularly those threatened by harmful practices such as animal testing or habitat destruction. It also includes efforts to address immediate threats to vulnerable species. Last year, this category was awarded to Ruth Jones MP for being a vocal supporter of trophy hunting bans.
The 2025 Animal Welfare Shortlist
Danny Chambers MP
Danny Chambers MP
Danny Chambers MP
Danny Chambers has been a vocal supporter of legislation to combat puppy smuggling and improve animal welfare. In November 2024, Chambers supported the Puppy Smuggling Bill, which aims to strengthen regulations on dog imports to prevent illegal trading and improve welfare standards. The bill includes measures to raise the minimum age for
Danny Chambers has been a vocal supporter of legislation to combat puppy smuggling and improve animal welfare. In November 2024, Chambers supported the Puppy Smuggling Bill, which aims to strengthen regulations on dog imports to prevent illegal trading and improve welfare standards. The bill includes measures to raise the minimum age for imported puppies from 15 to 24 weeks, introduce stricter requirements for rabies testing, and limit the number of dogs that can be transported by a single person.
Ruth Jones MP
Danny Chambers MP
Danny Chambers MP
Ruth Jones has been championing legislation to ban fur imports and sales in the UK. In October 2024, she introduced the Fur (Import and Sale) Bill (Bill 3789) to Parliament. The bill proposes to extend existing bans on trade in fur from cats, dogs and seals to include foxes, raccoon dogs, mink, chinchilla, coyotes and other animals killed
Ruth Jones has been championing legislation to ban fur imports and sales in the UK. In October 2024, she introduced the Fur (Import and Sale) Bill (Bill 3789) to Parliament. The bill proposes to extend existing bans on trade in fur from cats, dogs and seals to include foxes, raccoon dogs, mink, chinchilla, coyotes and other animals killed for fur fashion, and prevent the import and sale of new animal fur from all species. If passed into law, the ban would end the UK's complicity in the global fur trade.
The Baroness Helic
The Baroness Helic
The Baroness Helic
The Baroness Helic has emerged as a powerful voice for wildlife protection through her introduction of the Hares (Close Season) Bill in November 2024. This important legislation aims to establish a close season prohibiting the killing or taking of hares in England and Wales from February 1st to September 30th, aligning with existing Scott
The Baroness Helic has emerged as a powerful voice for wildlife protection through her introduction of the Hares (Close Season) Bill in November 2024. This important legislation aims to establish a close season prohibiting the killing or taking of hares in England and Wales from February 1st to September 30th, aligning with existing Scottish protections. The Bill would also replace the outdated Hares Preservation Act of 1892, which is rarely enforced.
Steve Race MP
The Baroness Helic
The Baroness Helic
Steve Race MP has taken significant legislative action to replace animal testing with alternative methods. In October 2024, he introduced the Animal Replacement Bill (Bill 3811) to Parliament. This pioneering legislation aims to accelerate the transition away from animal testing by establishing a dedicated Animal Replacement Centre of Excellence to develop and promote non-animal research methods.