The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) has rebranded as Science for Animal Welfare to provide a clear message of what the charity does and to reflect its evidence-based approach.

Founded in 1926, the organisation works to advance the science that shapes how animals are treated around the world, from those used in research and farming to wildlife and often-overlooked species.

Science for Animal Welfare has funded independent research, championed the global framework for humane use of animals in research, and shaped animal welfare science and standards worldwide.

Dr Huw Golledge, Chief Executive Officer of Science for Animal Welfare, said the new name better reflects the organisation’s mission.

“The science we have always supported has radically improved how animals are treated around the world, from developing the 3Rs principles that transformed animal welfare standards in research, to fundamental discoveries about the emotional states of animals, to advocacy for more humane treatment of often-neglected species like so-called ‘pest’ rodents,” he said.

“Science underscores everything we do, and finally, after one hundred years, we have a name to reflect that.”

Equines are often the focus of Science for Animal Welfare’s work, and efforts to improve conditions for horses is ongoing in the UK and further afield.

A 2024 review in the charity’s journal, 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘦, found gaps in equine research, with studies concentrated in just a few countries, and few tracking horses’ welfare over the long term.

This year, the charity has published new research pushing into those gaps, from studies researching equine agency and choice to a review into horse management across the UK and Ireland.

Science for Animal Welfare worked with design agency Ave to help find its new name.

Ave conducted workshops and a worldwide survey of over 100 stakeholders to find that scientific credibility mattered most.

“The name ‘Science for Animal Welfare’ did not come from a brainstorm, it was the result of a comprehensive discovery process that lasted many months,” said Ellie Thompson, Founder and Director of Ave Design Studio. “The new name puts welfare as the goal and science as the means.”

Lead image by Shutterstock

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