Prior to 2024, the penalty for dog theft in the UK was based purely on the monetary value of the dog. Dogs Trust wanted to approach the Sentencing Council to suggest they review their guidelines to reflect the fact that a dog is much more than that – it’s a part of the family.

I designed a range of deliverables to support a film on the Dogs Trust website, encouraging people to keep the #FamilyPawtrait complete. Posters and factsheets could be downloaded, giving advice to people on how to keep their dog safe, and what to do should their dog go missing. We raised awareness on social media, creating an Instagram story and taking over the Dogs Trust Twitter page.

I also designed the proposal document that was submitted to the Sentencing Council. We figured that most proposals they receive are probably on the dry side, so we sent them an eye-catching, engaging one that was full of heart-warming stories. In 2024 the government introduced new legislation, The Pet Abduction Act, that recognised the emotional value of pets and established more serious penalties for their abduction.