Naturewatch Foundation, an animal welfare charity, has announced the launch of a new Pet Rescue Grant in 2024. This grant aims to provide support to dogs, cats, and rabbits impacted by illegal breeding and selling, offering at least £5,000 annually to UK charities and community interest companies (CICs) involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of…

Naturewatch Foundation, an animal welfare charity, has announced the launch of a new Pet Rescue Grant in 2024. This grant aims to provide support to dogs, cats, and rabbits impacted by illegal breeding and selling, offering at least £5,000 annually to UK charities and community interest companies (CICs) involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of animals affected by the illicit pet trade.

With over half of UK households owning a pet, it is estimated that up to 50% of puppies are sourced from illegal channels. The practice of low-welfare breeding not only has a devastating impact on animal welfare but also on pet owners. Moreover, the illicit pet trade has increasingly become a magnet for organised criminals.

Naturewatch Foundation actively campaigns for improved pet welfare protections and investigates tip-offs from the public regarding the illegal pet trade. The launch of this grant comes at a time when the animal rescue sector is facing unprecedented challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis and a surge in pet abandonments following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Natalie Harney, a representative of the charity, expressed, “As an animal-loving nation, it’s a tragedy that so many of our beloved pets are the product of the illicit pet trade. We have been campaigning and investigating to end illegal breeding for years, but we recognise that without the rescue sector, many abused and exploited pets would not receive the loving care and specialised support they deserve. Our new Pet Rescue Grant is our small way of assisting those selfless organizations that pick up the pieces.”

Naturewatch Foundation invites animal lovers to participate in this initiative by recommending deserving rescue organisations that could benefit from the grant at action.naturewatch.org/your-favourite-rescue.

Interested rescue organisations can learn more about the grant and the application process by visiting naturewatch.org/petrescuegrant or by contacting [email protected] via email. The application period commences on January 24, 2024, and concludes on February 21, 2024.