FOI Request - Animal Welfare Cost Data

Request 101004001942

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2002, we would be grateful if you could provide any of the following information:

1. The total expenditure on any contracted service related to animal welfare (e.g. kennelling, veterinary care, or rehoming) incurred as a result of any animal welfare enforcement activity, broken down by service (including farmed, wild and companion animals) for the following financial years: 2023/24 (01/04/2023 – 31/03/2024), 2024/25 (01/04/2024 – 31/03/2025), 2025/26 (01/04/2025 – 31/03/2026).

2. Total legal costs associated with animal welfare prosecutions broken down by court fees, counsel/legal representation and prosecution-related legal expenses for the following financial years: 2023/24 (01/04/2023 – 31/03/2024), 2024/25 (01/04/2024 – 31/03/2025), 2025/26 (01/04/2025 – 31/03/2026).

3. Any other staff time and associated costs attributable to animal welfare enforcement activities. This may include, but is not limited to, inspections, case management, and liaising with other organisations such as RSPCA and the police for the following financial years: 2023/24 (01/04/2023 – 31/03/2024), 2024/25 (01/04/2024 – 31/03/2025), 2025/26 (01/04/2025 – 31/03/2026). If you are not able to provide the exact figure, please provide a rough estimate.

4. Any other costs associated with animal welfare enforcement activity not already included under staffing costs, legal costs or contracted services. This may include any other operational, administrative or incidental costs related to enforcement activity involving farmed, wild and companion animals, for the following financial years: 2023/24 (01/04/2023 – 31/03/2024), 2024/25 (01/04/2024 – 31/03/2025), 2025/26 (01/04/2025 – 31/03/2026).