PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report

The PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, is the largest and most comprehensive report into the wellbeing of the UK’s pet dogs, cats and rabbits. When it was launched in 2011 it became the first overarching means of identifying, assessing and monitoring the wellbeing of companion animals.  

Over the years, the Report has tracked improvements such as better diets for rabbits and greater provision of preventive care. But it has also found that millions of UK pets are not having their health and welfare needs met. 

PDSA uses the findings of the Report to identify the welfare issues that need addressing and help tackle them. The issues highlighted underpin our campaigns and activities, and are also used across the veterinary sector, by other charities and welfare organisations, to inform their work. 

We believe the health and wellbeing of the pet population could still be vastly improved through increasing owner understanding of what pets need. 

In 2020 the Report reached a milestone year, marking a decade of monitoring and analysing pet wellbeing across the nation. 

Our 2020 PAW Report was made possible through the kind support of players. Plans to launch the Report in June were adapted when the country went into lockdown.   

Instead, we decided to break from tradition and conduct two surveys – the original one in February and a second in August, as it became clear that it was vital for us to understand the impact the pandemic was having on the wellbeing of our nation’s pets. 

All of the findings were presented in the Report, alongside nine years of comparative data, and launched in December.  

Thanks to players, we were also able to run a webinar for the veterinary sector to present the Report’s findings. This was vital in highlighting early indicators of potential impacts of the pandemic, and what actions may be needed across the veterinary and animal welfare sectors to drive positive change.

Webinar testimonials