More people care about animals in Wales than in any other UK nation, a brand new RSPCA survey has found – as the charity launches its manifesto ahead of 2026’s Senedd election.
New findings from the RSPCA’s Animal Kindness Index – the charity’s annual survey into the UK’s attitude towards animals – show that Wales has the highest proportion of animal lovers, with 75 per cent of people here classing themselves as such.
Following Wales was Scotland (72 per cent), England (70 per cent), and Northern Ireland (69 per cent).
The survey also found that animal welfare is within the top three causes that people in Wales care about – with only mental health a bigger priority, while animal welfare equalled physical health in terms of people’s main concerns.
It also found 85 per cent of adults in Wales believe that animal welfare should be protected through government legislation – up from 82 per cent from the previous year.
The new data comes as RSPCA Cymru launches its manifesto for the seventh Senedd – ‘Securing A Better Future For Animal Welfare in Wales’ which highlights how animal welfare can be improved and prioritised by the next Welsh Government, the growing number of Senedd Members and political parties across Wales.
The RSPCA’s new manifesto calls on the next Welsh Government to:
- Empower the RSPCA by granting its inspectors with statutory powers and reducing the rehoming period for seized animals
- Protect pets, including by making pet abduction a specific offence in Wales, improving legislation relevant to pets and growing the number of pet-friendly homes through legislation
- Improve horse welfare by regulating livery yards and addressing horse tethering
- Enhance farm animal welfare by prohibiting the use of cages, addressing non-stun slaughter and introducing mandatory labelling on animal-derived products
- Legislate for all kinds of animal – by recognising animal sentience specifically in Welsh law, regulating the keeping of exotic pets, prohibiting the keeping of primates as pets and ending the giving of pets as prizes
- Support Welsh wildlife by introducing a Wildlife Act for Wales – consolidating the myriad of existing law – and refuse the culling of badgers as a method of dealing with Bovine TB
RSPCA Cymru’s Senior Public Affairs Manager, Billie-Jade Thomas (pictured with event sponsor Carolyn Thomas MS) said: “It’s clear that Wales is a nation of animal lovers and that animal welfare is important to a staggering majority of prospective voters, which is something we’d urge political parties and candidates to really take on board before next year’s Senedd election.
“Our data speaks volumes and highlights that those in power are expected to do what they can to legislate to protect animals across our country.
“Our manifesto is bold and ambitious and covers companion, farmed, wild and all animals in between; with a huge number of issues for the next Welsh Government and the growing number of Senedd Members to explore for the good of every kind.
“Much has been achieved over the current Senedd, including a ban on the use of snares and glue traps, the introduction of mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses, a commitment to phase out greyhound racing and strides forward in looking to regulate animal sanctuaries, rescues and rehoming centers.
“However, our new Senedd manifesto is a reminder that there is still plenty more that could be done to ensure a good life for every animal in Wales.”
Discussions with political parties are ongoing; RSPCA Cymru’s manifesto has already been presented to party leaders, relevant spokespeople and other key staff at a launch in the Senedd today (9 July) – and discussions will continue with parties across the political spectrum in the coming months, and ahead of next year’s polls.
