The RSPCA has launched its Every Councillor for Every Kind campaign in the lead-up to the Staffordshire County Council elections on 1st May, calling on candidates and sitting councillors to pledge their support for animals. •

• Pledge to protect pets and their welfare
• Raise awareness of standards for farm animals and their welfare
• Safeguard wildlife and their habitats

The charity is seeking the backing of local authorities in their mission to improve animal welfare. Lee Gingell, from the RSPCA, said that elected representatives play a crucial role in promoting responsible pet ownership and protecting animal welfare services. “Animal welfare is often seen as a RSPCA issue, but in reality, local authorities have a significant impact on the delivery of animal welfare services and the promotion of responsible pet ownership,” Lee explained.

The RSPCA has found that 94% of councillors said animal welfare was rarely or never discussed in council meetings. This lack of discussion is concerning, as it suggests that public concerns about animal welfare are not being translated into action. “Many local authorities are doing great work for animals and we’re proud to recognise many councils going above and beyond statutory minimums each year to make their communities kinder places for animals,” Lee said. “But we’re also concerned to hear such large numbers of councillors suggest animal welfare is never or rarely discussed in council meetings.”
“Councils have the power to supercharge animal welfare and that’s why we’re hoping sitting councillors, and candidates running for election will make a stand and sign our pledge,” Lee added. The pledge is simple:
“By signing this pledge, I commit to using my position as a councillor to protect and improve the welfare of animals, including:
* Ensuring that animal welfare is a priority in all council decisions
* Supporting initiatives that improve animal welfare services
* Raising awareness of animal welfare issues in my community
* Working to safeguard wildlife and their habitats
I understand that this is a commitment to do my best to make a positive impact for animals in my community. I acknowledge that there may be challenges and obstacles along the way, but I am committed to doing my best to make a difference. I am proud to be part of the RSPCA’s Every Councillor for Every Kind campaign and I look forward to working together with you to make our community a kinder place for all animals.”
A study by the RSPCA found that many local authorities are doing great work for animals, but the lack of discussion about animal welfare in council meetings is a concern. “There are so many tools at a local authority’s disposal to improve animal welfare,” Lee said. “After May’s election, we look forward to chatting to councils and newly-elected councillors about the difference they can make for animals. We can achieve so much together for animal welfare.”
The RSPCA’s campaign aims to create a community where every animal is treated with kindness and respect. “By signing the pledge, you’re not only committing to improve animal welfare in your community, but you’re also helping to create a community where every animal is treated with kindness and respect,” Lee explained. The RSPCA has a long history of working for animal welfare, and its campaign aims to make a positive impact on animal welfare in Staffordshire. “Many local authorities are doing great work for animals, but we know there’s still more to be done,” Lee said. “By working together, we can achieve great things for animal welfare in Staffordshire.”

What the Pledge Means for Animals

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• Improved animal welfare services
• Raising awareness of animal welfare issues
• Safeguarding wildlife and their habitats

The pledge has the potential to make a significant impact on animal welfare in Staffordshire. By committing to improve animal welfare services, raising awareness of animal welfare issues, and safeguarding wildlife and their habitats, councillors can make a positive difference in their community. “Every councillor can make a difference in their community, no matter how big or small the issue may seem,” Lee said. “By working together, we can achieve great things for animal welfare in Staffordshire.”
The RSPCA’s campaign aims to create a community where every animal is treated with kindness and respect.

Why Councillors Should Sign the Pledge

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• Make a positive impact on animal welfare in their community
• Show their commitment to animal welfare
• Join a community of like-minded individuals working towards a common goal

Councillors should sign the pledge because it has the potential to make a significant impact on animal welfare in their community. The pledge also shows that councillors are committed to animal welfare and are willing to take action to make a positive impact. By signing the pledge, councillors can demonstrate their commitment to animal welfare and join a community of like-minded individuals working towards a common goal. “By signing the pledge, you’re not only committing to improve animal welfare in your community, but you’re also joining a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a difference for animals,” Lee said.

What You Can Do

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• Sign the pledge yourself
• Support local authorities in their mission to improve animal welfare
• Get involved in local animal welfare initiatives

If you want to make a positive impact on animal welfare in Staffordshire, there are several things you can do. Firstly, you can sign the pledge yourself and commit to using your position as a councillor to protect and improve the welfare of animals. Secondly, you can support local authorities in their mission to improve animal welfare by attending council meetings, writing to your councillor, or getting involved in local animal welfare initiatives. Lastly, you can get involved in local animal welfare initiatives, such as volunteering at an animal shelter or participating in a local animal welfare event. By taking these steps, you can help create a community where every animal is treated with kindness and respect. “The power to make a positive impact for animals is in your hands,” Lee said. “We look forward to working with you to make our community a kinder place for all animals.”

A Message from the RSPCA

“Every Councillor for Every Kind is a campaign that we believe in very strongly,” said Lee Gingell, from the RSPCA. “We believe that every councillor can make a difference in their community, no matter how big or small the issue may seem. By working together, we can achieve great things for animal welfare in Staffordshire. “We look forward to chatting with councils and newly-elected councillors about the difference they can make for animals. We can achieve so much together for animal welfare.”
The RSPCA is committed to working with local authorities to improve animal welfare in Staffordshire. “By working together, we can achieve great things for animal welfare in Staffordshire.”
The RSPCA has a long history of working for animal welfare, and its campaign aims to make a positive impact on animal welfare in Staffordshire. “We’re proud to have been working hard for animals of all shapes and sizes for more than two centuries,” Lee said. “By signing the pledge, you’re not only committing to improve animal welfare in your community, but you’re also helping to create a community where every animal is treated with kindness and respect.”

Candidates and Councillors

A range of candidates and sitting councillors are standing in the Staffordshire County Council elections on 1st May. •