This year, FOUR PAWS UK marks two decades of working to improve the lives of animals. Anniversaries offer a moment to pause, not simply to look back at organisational milestones, but to reflect on how far the wider animal welfare movement has come, and where collective action is still urgently needed.
Over the past twenty years, sustained campaigning by NGOs, coalitions, academics, vets, frontline organisations and public advocates has helped deliver meaningful improvements for animals. From stronger protections for companion animals to growing momentum on farmed animal welfare and increased scrutiny of global supply chains, the landscape today looks very different from that of 2004.
FOUR PAWS UK has been one part of this broader effort, contributing to cross‑sector campaigns and working alongside partners across the movement. As we mark our twentieth anniversary, we want to recognise the shared progress made, and the challenges that remain.
Progress across the movement
Animal welfare campaigning over the past two decades has helped secure a number of important wins:
- Improved protections for companion animals: Long‑running advocacy from many organisations contributed to tighter rules on the importation of dogs and cats, helping to tackle illegal puppy and kitten smuggling and close loopholes that enabled the movement of underage or mutilated animals.
- Growing scrutiny of intensive farming: Public awareness and local campaigning have played a key role in challenging the expansion of large‑scale industrial farming systems. Across the UK, communities and NGOs have raised concerns about welfare standards, environmental impacts and the resilience of mega‑systems, including recent proposals to upscale poultry production.
- Momentum toward fur‑free fashion: Collaboration through alliances such as the Fur Free Britain coalition and the Fur Free Alliance has driven major shifts in the fashion industry. Many global brands have now committed to going fur‑free, reflecting changing consumer expectations and sustained pressure from campaigners.
- Ending live animal exports for slaughter: After years of cross‑sector advocacy, legislation passed in 2024 ended the export of live animals for slaughter from Great Britain, a milestone shaped by decades of public campaigning.
- International progress on dog and cat meat trade reform: Coalitions working across Asia, including Dog Meat Free Indonesia, have helped secure significant steps toward national bans, demonstrating the impact of coordinated international advocacy.
- Recognition of animal sentience in UK law: The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act marked a major shift in policymaking, ensuring that animal welfare must be considered in future government decisions, a long‑standing goal for many organisations.
What still needs to be won
Despite this progress, major challenges remain, and the next decade will require renewed collaboration across the movement. Key areas where further action is needed include:
- Addressing the rise of mega‑farming: With proposals to upscale poultry production and expand intensive systems, there is a pressing need for stronger welfare safeguards, transparent reporting, and a shift toward more humane, sustainable farming models, and an end to cages once and for all.
- Ending the import and sale of fur: Twenty years after the UK banned fur farming, the continued import and sale of fur remains a significant gap in policy. We, alongside many organisations, will continue to call for a comprehensive ban.
- Strengthening enforcement of dog breeding licenses: While legislation exists, illegal and low welfare breeding persists. Better enforcement, resourcing and cross‑border cooperation is essential.
- Embedding animal welfare across government policy: The Sentience Act provides a foundation, but meaningful change requires consistent integration of welfare considerations across trade, agriculture, environment and public health policy.
Looking ahead
The progress achieved over the past twenty years has been shaped by collaboration, with coalitions, alliances, community groups, researchers, vets, campaigners and policymakers all working together. As FOUR PAWS UK marks its anniversary, we remain committed to playing our part within this wider movement, supporting collective efforts to secure the next wave of policy wins and improve the lives of animals everywhere.
Watch the FOUR PAWS UK short anniversary video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0RC4OLnccg
Emily Wilson is Head of Prorammes at FOUR PAWS UK
The opinions expressed in this blog are the author's and not necessarily those of the wider Link membership.
