IMPACT’s Facilitator project, which explored keeping people and pets together, has been announced as a winner and a nominee in the RSPCA PawPrints Awards 2026. This year’s theme is “Prevention as Protection”.
The project was announced as a winner for the Prevention and Early Intervention Hero Award. Hero Awards recognise people, teams, and initiatives delivering outstanding preventative work and early intervention.
It was also announced as a nominee for the Withnall Partnership Award. Named in tribute to RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Withnall, this award recognises outstanding collaboration and partnership working between local authorities, public bodies, the RSPCA, and other partner organisations to improve animal welfare.
The project aimed to raise awareness and drive improvements in pet-inclusive homelessness accommodation. The goal was to shift the narrative away from a compliance-based lens of mere ‘acceptance’ which often frames pets as a problem, to a strength-based perspective that highlights what is strong rather than what is wrong. The project was based in North West England, and was supported by a number of host organisations including Street Paws, StreetVet, Dogs Trust (Together Through Homelessness), Vets in the Community, and Newcastle University
Following co-design workshops and engagement sessions, Rosie (IMPACT Facilitator) developed a charter in collaboration with the project partners. The Charter recognises that keeping people and their companion animals together is not simply an issue of animal welfare; it is fundamental to person-centred, trauma-informed and strengths-based practice. It sets out a shared vision; a series of guiding principles and practical commitments to help organisations become more companion animal inclusive. It encourages collaboration across housing, health, local authorities, homelessness services, animal welfare organisations and community partners to create systems that value relationships, promote dignity and recognise the relationship between a person and their pet as a strength.
You can download resources and explore the Charter and films on the project webpage.
Final results will be announced at the PawPrints Awards event in Cardiff on Wednesday 11th November 2026. You can find out more about the awards and other nominees/winners on the RSPCA PawPrints website.