Wiltshire Council receives national RSPCA recognition for work supporting dogs and responsible ownership

Wiltshire Council's Dog Warden team has received national recognition from the RSPCA through the 2026 PawPrints Awards, which celebrate organisations that go above and beyond to support animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

The team has retained its Platinum PawPrint Award for Stray Dog Services for a second consecutive year, the highest level of achievement available and a distinction awarded after five consecutive years of achieving Gold standard.

It has also received the 2026 Hero Award for Public Awareness, Behaviour and Change, celebrating the success of the Leave Only Pawprints campaign, and was shortlisted as a finalist in the Innovator Award category for the Dog Friendly Wiltshire Directory.

Presented annually by the RSPCA, the PawPrints Awards highlight the work of local authorities, public bodies and their partners to improve, protect and promote animal welfare through local public services.

The awards reflect the broad range of work carried out by Wiltshire Council's Dog Control team, including stray dog services, animal welfare, education and awareness campaigns, partnership working and community engagement initiatives. The service supports residents and animals across more than 1,300 square miles, delivering everything from frontline enforcement and welfare work to innovative campaigns promoting responsible dog ownership.

The team also works closely with partners including Bath Cats and Dogs Home, Wiltshire Police and the RSPCA to support animal welfare, respond to incidents involving dogs and help achieve positive outcomes for animals across the county.

One of the projects recognised was the Leave Only Pawprints campaign, which invited children aged five to 14 to create artwork encouraging people to clean up after their dogs. More than 60 designs were submitted and over 1,000 public votes were cast before the winning artwork was installed in parks and green spaces across Wiltshire, creating visible reminders that promote responsible dog ownership.

The Dog Friendly Wiltshire Directory, which was shortlisted for the Innovator Award, was developed to help residents and visitors identify dog-friendly venues and businesses across the county. Since launching in November 2025, more than 300 businesses have joined, with QR-coded window stickers helping businesses make their welcome visible. The free directory helps dog owners identify venues where dogs are welcome and plan responsible outings that take their pets' welfare needs into account.

The team's wider work also includes regular engagement with schoolchildren through the Junior Good Citizen programme, partnership work with animal welfare organisations and supporting residents through the council's stray dog service.

The awards were presented at the RSPCA PawPrints Awards ceremony in Cardiff on 11 November.

In recognising the council’s achievements, a spokesperson from the RSPCA said: "I am delighted to congratulate Wiltshire Council on a Special Award finalist place, a Hero Award and retained Platinum recognition in this year's RSPCA PawPrints Awards.

"The Dog Friendly Wiltshire Directory makes it easier for people to find places where their dogs are welcome, with more than 300 businesses taking part.

"Alongside it, the 'Leave Only Pawprints' campaign has turned children's creativity into positive responsible ownership messages: more than 60 designs and over 1,000 public votes helped create artwork now displayed in local parks and green spaces.

"These are distinct achievements, supported by your continued work in Stray Dog Services. Together, they show the value of helping communities take positive steps for dogs while maintaining the services animals need."

Cllr Paul Sample JP, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: "This recognition reflects the dedication, professionalism and creativity of a small but dedicated team that delivers an exceptional service across one of the largest local authority areas in the country.

"Every day the team works to support animal welfare, promote responsible dog ownership and provide important services for residents across Wiltshire.

"To retain Platinum status for a second consecutive year, receive the Hero Award and be recognised as finalists in the Innovator Award category is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates the impact of initiatives such as Leave Only Pawprints and the Dog Friendly Wiltshire Directory.

"I'd like to congratulate everyone involved on this well-deserved national recognition, which showcases the excellent work taking place across Wiltshire."