Tag: RSPCA

RSPCA warns of welfare ‘ticking time bomb’: Fears pet owners turning to AI over vet visits

Stuart Mitchell

The use of artificial intelligence bots could be replacing “vital” trips to the vets – with symptom checking and advice on pet behaviours the most common reason pet owners turn to AI. RSPCA welfare experts are now warning pet owners that while AI large language models can be a “helpful tool” in looking after their animals – they risk being a “ticking time bomb” for animal welfare.  And the call has been backed by celebrity vet Rory Cowlam, with the CBBC presenter urging pet owners to know when their smartphone…

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Welfare groups demand action to end 20 year-old pig welfare crisis

Stuart Mitchell

The UK Government must deliver a promised consultation on pig slaughter methods, in a move which could improve the welfare of millions of pigs and end a 20 year-old welfare crisis.   That is the message from the RSPCA – who handed in a petition of more than 22,000 signatures to Downing Street in July last year, urging the UK Government to phase out high-concentration carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas for stunning and killing pigs in slaughterhouses. The RSPCA is joined by welfare organisation Compassion in World Farming, to demand that the…

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‘Emotional’ RSPCA x Alesha Dixon film lands people’s vote gong

Stuart Mitchell

An emotional RSPCA video starring Alesha Dixon and a rescue dog named Roy has scooped a major prize at the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards.   The four-minute film – produced by the RSPCA’s in-house broadcast team – bagged the prestigious Grand Prix People’s Choice Award at an online award ceremony. In the film, British singer, dancer and RSPCA supporter Alesha is recorded watching footage on a laptop of  Staffy-cross Roy being cruelly attacked by his former owner. The footage is so distressing the RSPCA has not released it to the wider public.…

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RSPCA and Liferay Win UK Digital Excellence Award for Platform That Cuts Animal Cruelty Response Time by 27 Days

Stuart Mitchell

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has been named joint winner of the Standout Charity Website of the Year award at the 2026 UK Digital Excellence Awards, alongside digital experience platform Liferay.  The project’s redesigned Report a Concern tool has helped cut response times to animal cruelty cases by 27 days, across a platform that supports 25.9 million annual sessions connecting the public with welfare services. The award recognises the RSPCA’s digital transformation, delivered as part of its 200th-anniversary rebrand. Built on Liferay DXP, the…

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Streamers raise five grand for animal welfare in Zooseum stream

Stuart Mitchell

Thirteen kind-hearted gaming streamers have raised almost £5,000 for the RSPCA after playing the popular video game Two Point Museum: Zooseum. The RSPCA has partnered with Two Point Studios and SEGA Europe for the #CurateForEveryKind initiative, with thirteen gaming streamers raising almost £5,000 to help animals in need. Charity staff say the funds will offer a “lifeline” to many animals, at a time when animal abandonment calls to the charity have hit a “worrying” six-year high. Streamers were challenged to rescue and rewild creatures great and small as part of the Zooseum…

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