RSPCA Rewards Borough Council For Its Commitment to Animal Welfare

Published on: 29 Sep, 2025
Updated on: 4 Oct, 2025

The RSPCA has given Guildford Borough Council an award for its commitment to animal welfare in the local community.

The awards celebrate local authorities, public bodies and partners that go the extra mile to protect and promote animal welfare in their area.

The awards are judged across five categories:

stray dog services

animal activity licensing

housing policy

contingency/emergency planning

kennelled dog welfare.

The council has been recognised with a Platinum RSPCA PawPrints Award – presented to organisations that have earned gold in one category for five or more years in a row.

Cllr Merel Rehorst-Smith

GBC’s Lead Councillor for Regulatory Services, Cllr Merel Rehorst-Smith, said: “This award reflects the outstanding commitment of our licensing team, who put animal welfare at the heart of everything they do. We’re proud to work alongside our community and the RSPCA to ensure animals in our borough are safe, cared for and respected.

“The PawPrints Awards are not just about recognition. They’re about raising the bar for animal welfare everywhere, and we’re delighted to play our part. We inspect licensed businesses regularly to make sure they meet the required high standards of care, and we encourage local people to report unlicensed businesses to us. By working together, we can continue to build kinder communities where people and animals can thrive.”

Lee Gingell, Public Affairs Manager at the RSPCA, said: “We’re delighted to recognise Guildford Borough Council with the Platinum award in this year’s RSPCA PawPrints Awards. Their commitment to animal welfare is truly commendable and we hope their example inspires others to strive for excellence.”