Science Group

The Science Group is a substantial centre of expertise, which provides the scientific basis that helps enable the RSPCA to advance animal welfare effectively.

 

Firm foundation

One of the main strengths of the RSPCA is that it strives to base its policies, activities and approaches to promoting animal welfare firmly on scientific evidence. This gives the organisation substantial credibility with its supporters, the general public and decision-makers, enabling us to advance animal welfare more effectively.

 

Expert knowledge 

Our Science Group employs approximately 25 postgraduate and postdoctoral animal welfare scientists and vets organised into four departments covering companion, farmed, research animals and wildlife.

 

We aim to be an authority on a wide range of animal welfare science by gathering, assessing and presenting comprehensive scientific and technical information and advice on hundreds of issues. 

 

Welfare advocates

We actively engage with policy and decision-makers in government, industry and the wider community, both nationally and internationally, in order to promote practical advances for animal welfare. 

 

Our work to support the animal welfare activities of the RSPCA is wide ranging and includes, for example, the setting of the RSPCA standards for the welfare of farmed animals that underpin the Freedom Food scheme. 

 

 

Overview of Science Group activities 

The publication, Helping animals through welfare science - RSPCA Science Group Review, is published annually and highlights the spectrum of activities undertaken by the four departments (companion animals, farm animals, research animals and wildlife) within the Society's Science Group. Read our latest review for 2010, published in March 2011:

 

 

Past activities

RSPCA Science Group Review 2009 (published 2010) (PDF 1.64MB)

RSPCA Science Group Review 2008 (published 2009) (PDF 1.49MB)