Celebrating animal heroes for 25 years

Starting local, expanding global

To spread awareness about rescue and conservation-and to inspire the general public to help and advocate for animals-beginning in the 1990s, we started an educational programme, Animal Action Week. Held the first week of October each year, we recognised everyday heroes and got the community thinking about ways they could take action, too. We provided free wildlife- and conservation-themed educational resources to students around the globe-it was the biggest event of its kind in the world.

From there, we had the idea for the Animal Action Awards. Hosting an awards event helped shine a spotlight on the incredible rescue and conservation work happening in the UK-getting the attention of politicians, journalists, and other influential people who can help spread the word and make a difference.

Starting in 1999 and up until 2023, we hosted the event at the House of Lords and honoured primarily UK-based winners. But since IFAW's work is global, we aimed to go bigger. Now, award winners hail from all over the world, and we gather to celebrate them each year at the BAFTA headquarters in London, with international attendance.

Last year, six out of nine winners came from outside the UK, and we received nominations from 29 countries. This year, we're celebrating animal heroes from Belize, China, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico and Zimbabwe. Growing the Animal Action Awards into an international celebration has given us the opportunity to highlight the threats species are facing around the globe and applaud the unique ways in which people are saving lives, promoting conservation, and supporting our mission of animals and people thriving together.

Past winners

Let's look back at some of the incredible animal heroes we've honoured over the years.