Dr Neil Hudson MP FRCVS has received a special honour from the RSPCA as part of the prestigious PawPrints awards.
The Epping Forest MP was given the newly-introduced Massingham Advocacy award which recognises elected officials who have demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to advocating for animals.
Marking the RSPCA's 200th anniversary and named after the first RSPCA public public affairs officer (Mrs Gertrude Speedwell Massingham), Dr Hudson was humbled to be the only sitting Member of the House of Commons to receive the award.
As a veterinary surgeon Dr Hudson specialised in Equine Medicine and has worked in large and small animal veterinary practice and academia in the UK and Australia. Indeed the spark that drove him into politics came when he was on the frontline in the 2001 Foot and Mouth Crisis, seeing scenes he never wants to see again.
As the first veterinary surgeon elected to the Commons since 1884, Dr Hudson has put animal health and welfare at the heart of his Westminster campaigning. This has included cracking down on puppy smugglers, making sure veterinary medidicnes remain available across the UK and helping protect marine mammals.
In Parliament he has worked alongside charities such as the RSPCA on the impact of disposable vapes on animals, banning electric shock collars and responsible pet ownership.
Moreover, in the last Parliament Dr Hudson had the highest attendance rate on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee on which he has chaired sessions on XL Bullies and Veterinary Workforce Issues. He has also triggered a host of formal Parliamentary Inquiries into issues such as Food Security, Rural Mental Health and Pet Welfare and Abuse.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest, said:
"As the first vet elected to the Commons since 1884, it is both a tremendous privilege and responsibility to advocate for our furry and feathered friends.
"From cracking down on pet smuggling to bolstering the nation's animal disease infrastructure and putting animal welfare at the heart of farming, I've had the pleasure of leading a host of campaigns from Parliament's green benches.
"I cannot thank the RSPCA enough for the award and would just like to reinforce that this is not a one man job and so I must pay tribute to all those who have supported me in my work.
"Fundamentally, we are a nation of animal lovers and I'm delighted to be leading the charge for our globally-renowned animal health and welfare standards. Animal welfare unites us in humanity across the House."
Running since 2008, the RSPCA’s flagship PawPrints awards remains the only scheme of its kind, recognising local authorities and public bodies for going above and beyond to deliver world-class animal welfare services.
Lee Gingell, public affairs manager for local government at the RSPCA, said:
“We are thrilled to recognise so many outstanding organisations for their pioneering work in animal welfare.
“We’ve seen a 6% increase in entries to our PawPrints Awards this year, highlighting the crucial role that public bodies play in advancing animal welfare. It’s vital to celebrate the fantastic efforts being made to improve the lives of animals wherever possible.
“With around a third of entries earning the prestigious Platinum-level award - reserved for those who have achieved Gold-level for five or more consecutive years - it’s evident that local authorities in England & Wales are deeply committed to animal welfare. This is something we are incredibly proud to honour through these awards.
“We are especially proud of our special awardees, whose exceptional dedication and innovative approaches have set new standards in animal welfare. Their work serves as an inspiration to all, and we are delighted to celebrate their achievements.”
