Tracey attended the RSPCA annual reception at the House of Commons on Wednesday 18 June. As part of this she met with RSPCA inspectors, as well as members of the police and representatives from local authorities.                                                                                                                         

A number of other animal welfare groups were also present, with the theme of the event: ‘Together we can’. Over the next parliament the RSPCA will work closely with other animal welfare groups, as well as representatives from the public and private sectors to ensure that animal welfare in the United Kingdom continues to improve.

Tracey will support this group of animal welfare charities in parliament in order to improve standards of animal welfare in Chatham & Aylesford. Key RSPCA priorities for the next parliament include a ban on wild animals in circuses, which has cross-party support.

Other priorities include a review of legislation around pet dealing, which covers problems such as illegal puppy trading and the mis-selling of exotic pets. The latter problem costs the RSPCA substantial amounts each year as they are forced to care for and rehome animals that owners are no longer able to care for. Finally, the RSPCA continues to campaign for wider use of CCTV in abattoirs to ensure animals are slaughtered humanely, to the highest standards of animal welfare.

Tracey said:

“As many will be aware, improvements in animal welfare is an issue that is extremely important to me. The way we treat animals is of paramount importance and cruelty is completely intolerable and unnecessary. I was delighted to attend the RSPCA annual reception in Parliament to once again show my support of the great work that they do, I was especially pleased to meet some of the inspectors that do such a great job on the ground. An organisation doing a tough job and they will continue to receive my full support.”

David Bowles, Assistant Director of Public Affairs at RSPCA, said:

“We were delighted to see over 60 MPs and peers at our 2015 annual reception, including a large number of new MPs. We are keen to work closely with old and new faces alike, as we look to continue to improve the lives of animals across the UK during this parliament.

In particular, we are calling on the Government to ban the use of wild animals in circuses once and for all, as well as to review legislation around pet dealing and calling for CCTV to be installed in abattoirs.”