Independently run animal sanctuaries are often the unsung heroes of animal rights activism. They each fight their own battle for donations and funding, while also raising awareness of the big issues in animal welfare, and condemning society’s throwaway attitude towards companion animals. These sanctuaries also encompass some of the few organisations in the country who have the resources to rescue farm animals, such as battery hens and pigs, which would otherwise face an early death in slaughterhouses.
But, there is very little way to know what impact these charities have on animal welfare. While the RSPCA released statistics claiming they seized 114,584 animals in 2017, the numbers for the roughly 1,000 independently operated sanctuaries are largely unknown. This is not because their impact is insignificant, but rather because there is no formal regulation in the UK for animal sanctuaries. This is not the only problem with a lack of regulation. An article released by the RSPCA Cymru in 2018, announced that the RSPCA was making a ‘call for action’ to address serious problems regarding a lack of regulation of animal sanctuaries across Wales and the broader UK, following a string of reports of sanctuaries found breaching animal welfare laws. In a statement, the RSPCA said: “We have long held concerns about the number of sanctuaries operating in England and Wales without any checks. We would like to see all sanctuaries licensed with welfare standards attached, to ensure that animals are always receiving the best care possible.”