Naturewatch Foundation

12/06/2026

🐶🐱🐰 As National Licensing Week comes to a close, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to the councils and licensing teams that work with us to tackle illegal and low-welfare breeding.

When members of the public report concerns about suspected illegal breeding or selling of dogs, cats and rabbits, our investigators follow up those leads and pass credible reports to the relevant authorities.

Strong licensing and enforcement help protect animals from exploitation. We know it's not always easy, which is why working together is so important.

Every report reviewed, inspection carried out and action taken helps make life better for animals. 🐾

Find out more about our Hotline4Pets in the comments.



Institute of Licensing

11/06/2026

🇺🇦 It’s good to see animal cruelty being treated as a serious crime in Ukraine.
A man who threw an elderly terrier from a seventh-floor window has been sentenced to five years in prison following a thorough investigation and court case.

⚖️ The court considered a range of evidence, including:
• An autopsy to establish the cause of death
• Eyewitness testimony disputing the man's claim that the dog had fallen accidentally
• Video recordings, evidence gathered during an apartment search, expert testimony from a dog specialist, and weather conditions at the time

💔 While this poor dog’s death is heartbreaking, the response sends a clear message – animal abuse has serious consequences.

Under Article 299 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, animal cruelty is a criminal offence punishable by up to eight years in prison. This case is an important example of how robust animal protection laws can help provide justice for animals.

Read more in the comments. 👇

10/06/2026

It's been a very busy week for our Target Crime Not Wildlife Campaign. 🦆

Last week, Jim had the opportunity to take our message to a national audience from the famous BBC Breakfast red sofa, helping to shine a spotlight on the growing problem of catapult enabled wildlife crime.

Yesterday, the campaign also featured in a BBC News online article, further raising awareness of the devastating impact that catapults can have on wildlife and communities, and he represented the campaign at the Home Office led Misuse of Catapults Roundtable. This meeting brought together key stakeholders to discuss both the root cause and possible solutions. This is exactly the kind of progress needed if we are to strengthen legislation, improve responsible retail practices, and better protect wildlife from needless suffering.

The momentum behind the campaign continues to grow. Every media appearance, every meeting, and every conversation helps bring us closer to meaningful change. 🦢

Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. Together, we are ensuring that wildlife crime is recognised for what it is – crime, not sport, not entertainment, and certainly not harmless fun. ✊

10/06/2026

Today’s Holly’s Law roundtable in Parliament brought together animal charities, cross-party politicians, the Home Office and DEFRA to discuss how we can include information about animal abuse in human safeguarding.

At the heart of our work are victims and survivors. Holly Bramley’s murderer had harmed her animals. By recognising the signs early, we can help protect animals and people.

10/06/2026

📢 ILLEGAL / LOW-WELFARE BREEDING UPDATE - Illegal dog breeder in Wales ordered to pay over £99,000 after 26 dogs and puppies removed…

Pembrokeshire County Council removed 26 dogs from a woman’s property over suspected illegal breeding and animal welfare concerns. Inspectors and a vet found the dogs were being kept in poor conditions, so they were taken into care and later signed over to the council for rehoming.

Magistrates said the action prevented further suffering and ordered the woman to cover the costs of the investigation, legal proceedings, kennelling and vet care, which totalled £99,463.35.

👏 Congratulations to Pembrokeshire County Council on a great result. Teamwork like this is so important in exposing unscrupulous breeders and bringing them to justice. We will keep supporting the authorities to help hold those responsible accountable.

🐶🐱🐰 If you suspect someone of illegally breeding or selling dogs, cats or rabbits, Naturewatch Foundation’s investigations team will look into your leads. We’ll have more chance of success if you include as much information as possible.

Read more about this case in the comments, where you’ll also find a link to our reporting form and a short checklist of the information we need. 👇

10/06/2026

Great to see our local council highlighting the important role licensing can play in protecting animal welfare this National Licensing Week.

If you operate a business involving animals and don't have a licence, always check with your local authority whether you should have one.

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Licensing plays a vital role to protect people and animals – which is something most people do not recognise until things go wrong.

On day 3 of National Licensing Week, we’re spotlighting how licensing can ensure that small home-based businesses operate safely to protect the public and animal welfare 🐶 🐱

Did you know that we are responsible for regulating mail order businesses, dog breeders, home boarders, kennels and catteries and primates to name but a few?


Institute of Licensing

09/06/2026

Jim speaks on the meaningful conversations had at the Home Office Misuse of Catapults Roundtable today.

More information to come, check out naturewatch.org in the meantime 🦆

08/06/2026

This World Ocean Day, we’re inviting you to see the world through their eyes 🌊🐠

We're so proud to have partnered with Emma Jayne Designs, who illustrated our official World Animal Day 2026 stamp and brought this year’s theme to life.

Shaped like a fish and filled with extraordinary sea life from whales and sharks to clownfish, sea turtles and coral reefs, the stamp reminds us that oceans are essential for all life on earth. These waters support incredible biodiversity, yet rising temperatures, coral bleaching and human activity continue to threaten life beneath the waves.

When we see the world through their eyes, everything changes.

04/06/2026

Today, Mark, Jim, Natalie and Laura attended the UK Animal Law Conference 2026 at the University of Birmingham on behalf our campaigns: 'Protect Animals, Protect People', Wildlife Crime, Companion Animals and Animal Experiments.

It was a great opportunity to strengthen the movement for better legal protections for animals and collaborate with other inspiring organisations and individuals!