About APGAW

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) is one of the longest running All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) and was established to develop policy on any issue relating to animals with the aim of improving animal welfare. 

APGAW has over 120 Members of Parliament supporting them and has a strong reputation in Parliament for delivering sound, evidenced based work.

About APGAW

Meet the Team

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    Professor Dan O’Neill


    Professor of Companion Animal Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College and senior lead for the VetCompass Programme.

    Dan chairs the UK Brachycephalic Working Group and is a a founding member of the UK Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs (hyperlink: https://www.alaw.org.uk/companion-animals/extreme-dog-conformation/)  and theInternational Collaboration on Extreme Conformation in Dogs.

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    Vanessa Barnes


    Lawyer by profession and spent her early career in private practice as a solicitor.

    In addition to her undergraduate degree, she holds a master's degree in law and a Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare Science, Policy and Legislation.  Vanessa currently works for APGAW as their Legal Advisor. She is also a member of the Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs . She has expertise in the regulation of dog breeding and was appointed to DAERA’s Expert Advisory Panel to review the dog breeding regulations in Northern Ireland.

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    Marisa Heath


    APGAW’s director for over 16 years.

    Marisa has expertise in providing strategic and policy advice to organisations across the private and third sectors relating to animal health and welfare. She has helped influence and shape legislation writing several Parliamentary reports including A Healthier Future for Pedigree Dogs, and has been part of internal Government Expert Panels and currently co-chairs a government task group. Marisa also runs the Canine & Feline Sector Group advising government and has over 20 years of experience across local government.

Collaboration & Support

In addition to APGAW’s core IHA team, the development of the IHA has benefitted from extensive support from a wide range of stakeholders. The veterinary profession in particular has provided the solid foundations from which the IHA has been developed. The animal welfare organisations, pet insurance, technology, and finance industries have all made valuable contributions. We are very grateful for this assistance, expertise and guidance.

PetProov, APGAW, Lord Trees and Dan O'Neill

The IHA is endorsed and supported by the following organisations:

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