Animal Welfare Investigations Project

08/10/2026

15,000 feet. £4,300+ raised. 🪂👏

Our Animal Welfare Investigator, Serena, took on a 15,000ft tandem skydive to raise funds for AWIP.

With an initial target of £4,000, she didn't just reach it - she smashed it!

We'd like to say a huge thank you to Serena and everyone who donated. Your support helps us continue investigating organised animal cruelty and protecting animals from exploitation.

01/10/2026

The dog meat trade in the Philippines is shrinking. Sustained pressure from investigators, rescuers and law enforcement is making it increasingly difficult for traders to operate.

Through ongoing investigations, AWIP and AWIP-supported rescuers work alongside law enforcement to identify traders, expose illegal activity and support action against offenders.

Every arrest adds pressure. Every investigation disrupts slaughterhouses. Every conviction deters the next criminal.

But this progress hasn't happened overnight. It is the result of continued pressure and persistent investigations. And it's thanks to the determination of people, like you, who refuse to accept the cruelty of the dog meat trade.

Your donations help make investigations possible, providing the resources needed to keep gathering evidence, working with authorities and putting pressure on those who continue to profit from animal cruelty.

26/09/2026

We need your help to end animal cruelty. Organised animal cruelty isn't always easy to spot. It can involve individuals, groups or businesses deliberately exploiting animals for profit, entertainment or illegal activity.

This can include:

🐕 Badger baiting — deliberately capturing badgers and forcing them to fight.

🐶 Puppy farming — breeding and selling puppies where profit is prioritised over the welfare of the animals.

🦌 Illegal hunting and wildlife crime — deliberately targeting protected or illegally hunted wildlife.

🐓 Animal fighting — including organised dogfighting and cockfighting.

These crimes are often hidden from public view, but information from the public can help us spot illegal activity, identify offenders and disrupt crime networks.

If you have information about suspected organised animal cruelty, please report it to us ➡️ https://awip.org.uk/report-animal-cruelty-form/

25/09/2026

24/09/2026

In England and Scotland, strict regulations for licensed breeders restrict the number of litters one female dog can produce.

This is an important protection for dogs, helping to prevent them from being repeatedly bred for profit without regard for their welfare. But unlicensed breeders operate outside these regulatory protections.

When profit is prioritised over welfare, females can be subjected to repeated pregnancies, poor living conditions, lack of veterinary care and little consideration for their wellbeing.

We believe that breeding dogs must be protected from exploitation, and any breeders that compromise a dog's welfare must be stopped.

22/09/2026

A meat trader in the Philippines has been found guilty of running a dog slaughterhouse and sentenced to one year in custody, alongside a 30,000PHP (£360) fine.

The trader was arrested in October 2024 following an investigation by AWIP. Our in-country investigators identified him as a suspect and worked closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure he was successfully apprehended.

Most importantly, three dogs were rescued during the operation, just hours before they were due to be slaughtered.

During his trial, the defendant made numerous attempts to mislead the court. He claimed that he did not know there were dogs inside the sacks that he was transporting. Despite the dogs crying throughout their ordeal, he said he could not hear them because his stereo was playing so loudly.

The judge rejected these claims and found him guilty. His repeated attempts to deny and minimise his actions demonstrate a complete lack of remorse.

In delivering the verdict, the judge also highlighted the importance of treating animals with kindness, quoting philosopher Immanuel Kant, “He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”

Three dogs are alive today because action was taken. Their rescue is a powerful reminder of why investigations like this matter. 🐾

Across the globe, animals are being abused right now. You can help.

Make a one time gift: https://giving.awip.org.uk/-/XUYKTEYL
Make a monthly gift: https://giving.awip.org.uk/-/XQBWBKHH

17/09/2026

Last year, Luna was rescued from a dogfighting network in the Philippines. She was found covered in scars that are consistent with being used in fights.

Our investigators identified and disrupted the network. Working with local police, we saw the arrest of Luna’s previous owner. Luna, along with other dogs rescued that day, was given the veterinary care and rehabilitation she desperately needed.

One year on, Luna has made a full recovery. She is safe from dogfighting and free from abuse. Finally able to be a dog.

This is why we investigate. To expose those who profit from animal cruelty, help bring offenders to justice and give dogs like Luna a better life.

16/09/2026

Working alongside the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), our investigators rescue one dog from the illegal dog meat trade in Ilocos Norte, while one man was arrested in connection with the operation.

The operation followed intelligence developed through our continuing investigations into individuals involved in the dog meat trade across the Philippines.

For this dog, the trade ends here.

Our teams will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to identify those involved, develop actionable intelligence, rescue animals at risk, and disrupt the illegal dog meat trade wherever we can.