If our furry friends could speak they would be bending our ears right now - the laws about how people treat their pets has changed. The Animal Welfare Act came into force on 28th March in Wales and on 6th April in England, and it gives more protection to our pets than they've ever had before. For the first time, owners are legally obliged to care for their pets properly, saving thousands of animals from serious abuse and neglect. Most owners won't need to change the way they care for their pets but it will mean that people who persist in neglecting their pets will finally be forced to change their behaviour - or face legal consequences.

Our lovely client, the RSPCA, have been instrumental in driving this law through parliament, and they're always there to give advice to anyone who might be unsure about the care their pet needs. They've put together a set of 'care cards', which give basic information what to feed different types of pets, the kind of housing they need, when to consult a vet - and many other great tips.

We've been working closely with the RSPCA to get the message out about this new law - not just to current supporters, but to a wider audience through cold mailings and doordrops. What's more, we've got plans in the pipeline to help widen the knowledge about the new law even further - to make sure that all animal owners learn about their new responsibilities.

It's such a pleasure to see a hard-won success to this long and difficult campaign. We're privileged to have played a small part in making this a better country for animals.

Juliet Fennemore