More Accolades for the Borough Animal Welfare Team
Secures five honours at this year’s RSPCA PawPrints Awards
Cali the Malinois crossbreed was rehoused after being found by the Stray Dog team. Picture: Hounslow Council
September 3, 2026
Hounslow has been recognised once again as one of the country’s leading local authorities for animal welfare, after securing five top awards at this year’s RSPCA PawPrints Awards — including two Platinum honours for its kennelling and stray dog services. For West London, where animal welfare pressures have risen sharply in recent years, the awards mark a significant endorsement of the borough’s frontline work protecting vulnerable animals.
The PawPrints Awards celebrate public bodies that go above and beyond in safeguarding animal welfare through high-quality services and innovation. Hounslow’s performance this year was exceptional: Gold awards for Animal Activities Licensing, Contingency Planning, and Housing and Animals, alongside Platinum awards for Kennelling and Stray Dog Services. The borough was also named a finalist for the Withnall Partnerships Award for the second year running, recognising its collaborative work with organisations including the RSPCA, the Metropolitan Police, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, local vets and neighbouring councils.
Platinum recognition reflects sustained excellence in Hounslow’s stray dog service, which regularly responds to cases like Cali, a young Malinois crossbreed found wandering alone in a public park earlier this year. Cali was brought into council kennels, cared for by the Animal Welfare team, and later successfully rehomed in a working environment through specialist handlers. Her story illustrates the breadth of work carried out behind the scenes: from emergency rescue to behavioural assessment, enrichment and long-term placement.
Dogs staying in Hounslow’s kennels benefit from a structured care programme that includes walks, sensory stimulation and enrichment activities — such as “mystery boxes” filled with treats hidden among different textures and scents. The team also works closely with police to tackle animal-welfare-related offences, including illegal dog breeding, and provides support to vulnerable residents by caring for their pets when owners are hospitalised.
The borough’s finalist status in the Withnall Partnerships Award highlights the impact of its multi-agency work. Among the cases cited were the rescue of abandoned cats and kittens, the removal of sixteen cats from filthy conditions, action against low-welfare breeders, and ensuring seriously injured stray dogs reached specialist treatment rather than being euthanised.
Councillor Amy Croft, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Enforcement and Recycling, said the awards reflect the dedication of officers and partners who work year-round to protect animals across the borough. “Animal welfare is an important part of creating safe, responsible and compassionate communities, and we are proud that Hounslow continues to be recognised for its commitment to high standards,” she said.
The RSPCA will announce the winners of its Special Awards — including the Withnall Partnerships Award — at a ceremony in Cardiff on 11 November. For Hounslow, the latest recognition reinforces a long-standing reputation for excellence and a commitment to ensuring that every animal, from abandoned pets to those in crisis, receives the care and protection it deserves.
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