Welfare Aware founder, Kate Fletcher, has had a successful career working for various animal welfare NGO's, both within the United Kingdom and internationally. She has worked on the frontline of animal welfare operations, leading complex investigations into animal cruelty and neglect and mentoring and managing multi-disciplinary global teams. She has specialist experience working with the production industry advising on the use of animals at events and also in the canine and equine welfare sector advising on behavioural considerations, rehabilitation and practical evidence-based welfare assessment.
Her passion is promoting awareness of animal welfare and the impact of human-animal interactions on an animal's overall quality of life. Her dedicated way of working helps to enable people to create positive experiences for animals to thrive, not just to survive.
Kate is fully insured for public liability and professional indemnity.
Kate has a specialist Diploma in animal welfare and associated legislation, a Masters degree in Equine Behaviour, Performance and Training and is currently studying for a PhD in international equine welfare. She has completed Stage 1 and Stage 2 Donkey Health Care, accredited by the Donkey Sanctuary. She also holds a Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management, accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management and a Level 3 Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring, accredited by City & Guilds.
She has published multiple international articles on animal welfare, including academic papers, and is on several professional committees and working groups, including as a working animal specialist for the One Welfare 'Phoenix' project.
She is an an Academic Member of the International Society for Equitation Science, a Full Professional Member of the International Society for Applied Ethology, an Accredited Member of the Animal Welfare Research Network and an Accredited Member of the British Society for Animal Science. Kate is also a student candidate of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians, in the process of working towards accreditation as a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist.