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Causeway Coast Dog Rescue's Podcast, 'All things dog' and companion animal welfare seeks to discuss topics related to companion animal welfare both in Northern Ireland and in Europe, which impact on how we look after our own animals.

Caroline Johnston is Vice Chair of the Association of Dog and Cats Homes, which many charities in the UK are members, including CCDR. Caroline discusses how Membership provides us with a community to discuss and share areas where we seek to source information and improve on how we work with companion animals. The ADCH also lobbies for change and supports groups when raising issues to improve companion animal welfare.

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Causeway Coast Dog Rescue held our annual conference on 1.10.25 in Queens University Belfast. The focus was Reform, and Vanessa Waddon, CEO of Hope Rescue came to talk about her work in rescuing and rehoming surrendered dogs and how she became involved in Greyhound Rescue.

Her work has led her to be at the forefront of the Greyhound Rescue campaign which is ultimately working towards banning greyhound racing in Wales. Vanessa continues to rescue and rehome unwanted dogs in her area and is an advocate for animal welfare.

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Tara Cunningham, Causeway Coast Dog Rescue speaks to David Bowles of RSPCA and a member of the Board for Association Dog and Cats Homes UK. David joined RSPCA in 1995 and is Head of Campaigns and Public Affairs.

David Bowles is also Chair of Legislative Committee. Since 2015, David has been a Board member of ADCH, leading analysis of annual returns and surveys, including on XL Bullys and Covid, providing insights to members, governments, and legislators.

As a Board member of Defra’s expert group on dogs and cats and the Animal Welfare Network Wales, David engages with governments in Wales and England to promote ADCH’s data for policy decisions. Chairing ADCH’s Legislative Committee since 2016, he monitors legislation across eight jurisdictions and contributes to consultations on laws like microchipping and rescue licensing.

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CCDR congratulates Irish politician Jennifer Whitmore and @DogLawIreland for their leadership in advancing important amendments to the Dog Welfare Bill in the Republic of Ireland. Their work outlines a robust set of protections that place the welfare of breeding dogs and puppies at the centre of legislation.

While these reforms apply only within Ireland, they highlight significant gaps in safeguarding across Northern Ireland and Great Britain. This moment offers an important opportunity for us to reflect, learn from the progress of others, and strengthen how we protect our own companion animals.

These changes will also help improve the welfare of puppies being purchased or sold in Northern Ireland from Ireland, ensuring better standards and clearer expectations for breeders and buyers alike.

Ethical breeding is essential, not only to protect animals, but also to safeguard people from unknowingly engaging with unethical or irresponsible breeders. CCDR is grateful for the expertise of @DogLawIreland, whose support and detailed legislative insight continue to guide this important work. 🐾

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Tara Cunningham, Causeway Coast Dog Rescue talks to Dr Rowena Packer. Rowena is an academic researching many different areas in companion animal welfare but has particularly and avid publisher in all areas relating to dog welfare. One of Rowena's significant articles published centralised around dog breeding during COVID, pandemic restrictions and the impact afterwards.

Dr Rowena Packer Rowena is the Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Rowena leads a research group exploring diverse topics in this area, including the impact of chronic and inherited disorders on dog behaviour and welfare, the impact of owner knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on canine welfare, breeding for better welfare, and caregiver burden. Rowena has co-authored more than 100 peer reviewed papers and book chapters and co-edited the textbook ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’ (2021). Rowena holds a PhD from the Royal Veterinary College (2013) which explored the impact of extreme conformation on canine health. Rowena is a founding member of Brachycephalic Working Group and the Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dog

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Dr Rowena Packer presented her findings on breeding in Northern Ireland during and following the opening up of pandemic restrictions.

Rowena has published over 100 papers and aims to source information which will support evidence based decision making to improve animal welfare in the UK.

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Dr Marc Abraham OBE presented at the recent CCDR Animal Welfare Conference focusing on Reform, Marc outlined the background of Lucys Law, what it means and what it aims to achieve.

Lucys Law is about protecting animals and their pups and kittens from low welfare sellers and ensuring a clear process and protocols are stemming from the much needed change in legislation, which is now known as Lucys Law.

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Dr Andrea Lynch of the Links Group, presented an overview of the work of the Links Group and how they support victims and survivors of domestic abuse and coercive control with their pets.

The Links Group has recently launched a new training platform which helps to identify actions to be taken by those who are first responders in relation to abuse and how they support with their pets.

The Links Group are currently working with CCDR to support the implimentation and delivery of Rubys Law in N.I which will lead in service delivery in the UK and support the planning of what can be achieved now, in the run up to the implimentation, during and following the change in legislation. Collaborative working with Depts, charities and key stakeholders. Home - Protecting Animals, Protecting People - The Links Group

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