Animal Welfare Investigations Project

Animal Welfare Investigations Project: investigating organised animal cruelty

Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP) is a non-profit organisation registered as a company in the United Kingdom, with company number 13760374, which focuses its activity on investigating organised animal cruelty. Founded in 2021, it works to identify those responsible for these crimes and bring them to justice, as well as to rescue animals in immediate danger.

The organisation states that its work is funded entirely by donations, lottery and legacies from a community of supporters, and that it receives no government funding. As it explains on its own website, its status as a company — rather than a charity — allows it to address and campaign against organised animal cruelty without the restrictions that apply to regulated charitable entities.

Areas of investigation

AWIP structures its work around three main areas of organised crime:

• Animal fighting: investigation of dog fighting, cockfighting and badger baiting networks, practices that have been outlawed for years but which, according to the organisation, continue to occur. The team works to identify participants and bring them to justice.
• Wildlife crime: monitoring of badger persecution, badger baiting, fox hunting and bird trapping, crimes that the organisation describes as increasing in recent years.
• Illegal puppy farming: investigation of the organised, large-scale illegal puppy farming trade, an area in which the organisation states it has years of experience and a high conviction rate.

How we work: investigate, disrupt and protect

AWIP's process is structured in three phases. In the first, the team gathers information from the public, partner organisations and online sources about illegal puppy farming, animal fighting and wildlife crime. This information is analysed and transformed into actionable intelligence that allows criminal activities to be disrupted, animals to be rescued and animal abusers to be brought to justice.

In the second phase, the organisation pushes for those responsible to face real consequences. In the third, when investigations reveal animals in immediate danger, it coordinates with the police and other organisations to carry out rescue operations. Rescued animals receive medical treatment, rehabilitation and, ultimately, a forever home.

AWIP also shares information with the police on individuals suspected of involvement in organised animal cruelty.

International reach and funding

The organisation operates internationally, concentrating its efforts in the regions where organised animal cruelty is most prevalent and where it can achieve the greatest impact. Its investigations are funded through donations, lottery and legacies, and the organisation accepts one-off donations by cheque made payable to "AWIP".

Structure and contact

AWIP is a company registered in the United Kingdom with number 13760374 and is not a charity. It has a postal address in London intended solely for correspondence, not open to visitors, and a supporter care team to manage support or make donations by phone. The organisation also facilitates unsubscribing from mailing lists and cancelling recurring donations, both by card and by direct debit.

71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JQ