The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals was formed in 1970 by a group of clergy and lay Christians who felt very strongly that the Church did not speak out on the subject of animal cruelty and suffering.
Our mission is therefore to ‘put animals on the agenda of the Christian church’. We try to do this in a number of ways. We produce a magazine and maintain a website aimed at Christians who care about animals. We hold an annual service at a variety of locations around the UK where we celebrate the diversity and beauty of animals and highlight issues concerning their welfare. We encourage Churches to recognise Animal Welfare Sunday on the nearest Sunday to St Francistide (4th October) and produce free information packs available on-line or hard copy to help Churches with Order of Service ideas for services, suggestions for prayers and ideas for sermons.
We also have an awards scheme for recognising ‘Animal Friendly Churches’ and encourage churches to join. We maintain a prayer group within our membership where members and non-members alike can request prayers for individual animals or welfare issues. We offer help and advice on a variety of animal related issues and queries including guidance to those suffering the bereavement of much loved companion animals. We do our very best to respond to all calls left on our ansaphone. We are entirely staffed by volunteers and have no salaried staff.
