Animal Welfare Investigations Project

Last updated
Animal Welfare Investigations Project
AbbreviationAWIP
FormationNovember 23, 2021;4 years ago (2021-11-23)
Type Animal welfare organisation
Legal statusRegistered company
PurposeInvestigating and combating organised animal cruelty
HeadquartersLondon, England
Region
Global
Key people
Jacob Lloyd (Founder and CEO) [1]
Website awip.org.uk

The Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP) is an animal welfare organisation established in November 2021 by its founder and current Chief Executive Officer, Jacob Lloyd. It is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

Contents

The organisation is dedicated to investigating organised animal cruelty across the globe, with a particular focus on dog fighting, wildlife crime, and puppy farming.

History

AWIP was established on November 23, 2021 by its founder and current Chief Executive Officer, Jacob Lloyd. The organisation's headquarters is located in London, England.

AWIP is registered as a limited company in England and Wales and chooses not to operate as a charity to maintain flexibility in its operations and campaigning efforts. [2] [3]

The Animal Welfare Investigations Project is registered with the Fundraising Regulator. [4]

Activities and Achievements

AWIP focuses on several key areas of animal welfare:

Dog Fighting

The Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP) actively investigates dog fighting in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Philippines, and other countries. These investigations aim to identify participants and gather evidence to support prosecutions. Despite legal prohibitions, dog fighting remains prevalent in certain regions, and AWIP works tirelessly to disrupt these operations and rescue the animals involved. [5] [6] [7]

In July 2025, the Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP) carried out an intelligence-led investigation into dog fighting in Tarlac City, Philippines. Following a search warrant executed by AWIP, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), a man was arrested and dogs alleged to have been used in fighting were recovered along with dog fighting paraphernalia. It was reported to be the first such investigation in the Philippines in over thirteen years. [8] [9] [10]

Wildlife Crime

The organisation investigates various forms of wildlife crime, including badger baiting, fox hunting, and bird trapping. It works alongside local law enforcement to investigate and disrupt wildlife crime. Notably, AWIP played a significant role in busting a wildlife trafficking network in the Philippines, resulting in the rescue of 149 turtles. [11]

Dog Meat Trade

Working alongside the Philippine National Police, AWIP has investigated the dog meat trade in the Philippines. [12] [13]

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Training

In addition to its investigative work, AWIP provides specialised training in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) to law enforcement agencies. This training equips investigators with advanced skills to gather and analyse online information related to organised animal crime. In May 2024, AWIP hosted a successful OSINT training webinar for U.S.-based investigators and prosecutors, enhancing their capabilities in combating dog fighting and other forms of animal cruelty. [14] [15]

References

  1. "Jacob Lloyd". AWIP. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  2. "Company Information". AWIP. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  3. "Animal Welfare Investigations Project Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  4. "Animal Welfare Investigations Project Limited". Fundraising Regulator. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  5. "Animal Fighting". AWIP. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  6. "Fighting the Dog-Fighters with The Animal Welfare Investigations Project". OSINT Industries. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  7. "The Animal Welfare Investigation Project: Shining a light on illegal dog fighting and mafia puppy farms". Roch Society. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  8. "Illegal dog fighting busted, dogs rescued in La Paz". GMA Network. 14 July 2025.
  9. "Dog-fighting sa Tarlac, nahuli; operator, arestado". Remate Online. 14 July 2025.
  10. "Man arrested in Tarlac for dog-fighting, says CIDG-AOCU". Inquirer News. 14 July 2025.
  11. "Animal Welfare Investigators and Local Authorities Bust Trafficking Network, Rescuing 149 Turtles". JournoLink. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  12. "Dog meat trade persists in the Philippines with dogs sold at P100 per kilo". Manila Standard. 9 November 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  13. "Man nabbed for selling dog meat in Pangasinan". GMA Network. 3 March 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  14. "AWIP Hosts Successful OSINT Training Webinar for U.S. Investigators and Prosecutors". AWIP. 26 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  15. "Animal Welfare Investigations Project Hosts Successful OSINT Training Webinar for U.S. Investigators". PRLog. Retrieved 2025-01-14.