Party for Animal Welfare | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | December 2018 |
| Ideology | Animal welfare [1] Anti-blood sport |
| Website | |
| ipaw | |
The Party for Animal Welfare is a minor political party in Ireland, with a focus on animal welfare. [2] [3] It has no representation at local or national level.
They advocate the banning of blood sports, puppy farms, factory farming, greyhound racing and other animal cruelties. [4] They have petitioned for the adding of animal welfare to the Irish primary school curriculum.
The Party for Animal Welfare held a protest in Dingle, County Kerry during February 2020 to oppose a proposed seal cull, which local fishermen had been calling for to increase fish stocks. [5] In conjunction with Compassion in World Farming Ireland, the party held protests against the export of live animals outside Leinster House and Rosslare Europort in 2019 and 2020. [6] [7]
In the 2020 Irish general election, before the party had registered, PAW's deputy leader Ted Cronin ran as an independent on an animal welfare platform. [8] [9] He received 391 (0.5%) first preference votes, in the Kerry constituency, coming second last. [8] [10]
The party also fielded five candidates in the 2024 local elections, [11] one in the 2024 Limerick mayoral election, [12] and three in the 2024 general election. [13] None were elected. [12] [14] [13]
Gerben Uunk, a co-founder of the party, reportedly sought nominations from a number of local councils to be a candidate in the 2025 Irish presidential election. [15] [16]
PAW is a member of the Animal Politics Foundation. [17] Although not an official member, the Animal Politics EU group has recognised the Party for Animal Welfare and members of the group have expressed support for them. [18] [19]
| Election | 1st pref votes | % | Seats | +/– | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 884 | 0.04 (#20) | 0 / 174 | New | Extra-parliamentary |
