Shining a light on TVBC’s animal welfare work in Parliament
Test Valley Borough Council’s animal welfare team has been showcasing its work in Parliament, following national recognition for its emergency pet care card initiative.
Animal Welfare Officers Rod Mason and Lucy Ollerenshaw have spent recent months promoting the card, which helps ensure pets are cared for when their owners are unexpectedly admitted to hospital. The scheme won Test Valley Borough Council the RSPCA Care Act Hero Award last year, and with new funding from the local resilience forum and support from the RSPCA, the project continues to expand.
On 24 February, Lucy visited Parliament, where MP Caroline Nokes endorsed the scheme. She also attended a meeting of the All‑Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG), which looked at ways to improve standards in animal welfare and strengthen the licensing of rescue organisations. Representatives from across the sector raised ongoing concerns about rescues operating without clear oversight, leading to problems such as irresponsible breeding, neglect, and the misuse of donations. These are issues Lucy and Rod regularly tackle through their licensing and inspection work.
Caroline Nokes MP said: “It was great to meet Lucy in Parliament and hear of the excellent work Test Valley continues to do on animal welfare. The pet care card is just one example of how TVBC has recognised the needs of residents and how much anxiety there can be in making sure pets are looked after in a crisis.”
Councillor Kirsty North portfolio holder for Housing and Environmental Health, said: “I am delighted to see the work of our animal welfare team recognised at a national level. The emergency pet care card is already making a real difference to residents who live alone, providing reassurance their pets will be in good hands if something unexpected happens.”
Lucy was one of only a handful of local authority representatives at the event, and many attendees were surprised by the breadth of TVBC’s expertise. The council’s animal welfare work is continuing to grow, with new regulations due later this year, including primate licensing and updated zoo standards. The team also works closely with local rescues, supporting everything from kittens and puppies to birds, fish, alpacas, and even a macaw.