Four leading animal charities have come together to launch a new Animal Welfare Evidence Centre, aimed at strengthening the evidence base around animal cruelty, neglect and how society interacts with animals.
The new centre is a collaboration between the RSPCA, Compassion in World Farming, FOUR PAWS UK and Humane World for Animals UK. Together, they aim to address critical gaps in research and provide robust, independent evidence to support long-term improvements in animal welfare.
Designed as a resource for the entire animal welfare sector, the Animal Welfare Evidence Centre will focus on understanding the root causes of cruelty and neglect, as well as the wider relationship between humans and animals. This includes examining how animals are used in areas such as sport, fashion, entertainment and food production, and how animal welfare connects with broader societal challenges including health, housing, crime and planning.
The centre has been established by the RSPCA with support from the Katherine Martin Charitable Trust, whose funding has made the initiative possible.
Thomas Schultz-Jagow, RSPCA director of advocacy and prevention, said the scale and complexity of animal welfare challenges mean collaboration is essential.
“The challenges facing animals today are huge and complex and only by working together can we tackle the scale of cruelty and neglect we are facing,” he said. “The Animal Welfare Evidence Centre is a critical opportunity to deepen our understanding of what drives humans to harm animals, so we can lay the foundations for the truly transformational change we all want to see for animals.”
He added that the Trust’s support represents a lasting legacy. “This donation is part of Katherine Martin’s legacy, with which she wished to create a kinder and safer world for all animals.”
Focus of the centre’s work
Over the next three years, the Animal Welfare Evidence Centre will bring together existing research, identify gaps in knowledge and commission new studies. Its work will focus on:
- understanding the causes of cruelty and neglect
- identifying effective ways to prevent harm to animals
- exploring public attitudes, awareness and cultural norms around animals
- examining links between animal welfare and wider societal issues such as health, housing and crime
- quantifying the economic costs to society of poor animal welfare and animal abuse
The centre’s first major research project will investigate the economic cost of animal cruelty and neglect, including the impact on governments, charities, public services such as police and courts, and on individuals. Crucially, it will also highlight the cost to animals themselves.
This research is intended to underpin a strong business case for government investment in prevention measures that reduce harm to animals.
The RSPCA is currently recruiting a chief of research to lead the work of the Animal Welfare Evidence Centre, with the first research findings expected to be published this summer.
