Party for Animal Welfare | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | December 2018 |
| Ideology | Animal welfare[1] Anti-blood sport |
| Website | |
| ipaw | |
TheParty for Animal Welfare is a minorpolitical party inIreland, with a focus onanimal welfare.[2][3] It has no representation at local or national level.
They advocate the banning ofblood 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 inDingle, County Kerry during February 2020 to oppose a proposed sealcull, 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 outsideLeinster House andRosslare Europort in 2019 and 2020.[6][7]
In the2020 Irish general election, before the party had registered, PAW's deputy leader Ted Cronin ran as anindependent 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 the2024 local elections,[11] one in the2024 Limerick mayoral election,[12] and three in the2024 general election.[13] None were elected.[12][14][13]
PAW is a member of the Animal Politics Foundation.[15] Although not an official member, theAnimal Politics EU group has recognised the Party for Animal Welfare and members of the group have expressed support for them.[16][17]
| Election | 1st pref votes | % | Seats | +/– | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 884 | 0.04 (#20) | 0 / 174 | New | Extra-parliamentary |
