Party for Animal Welfare

The party advocates for the banning of blood sports, puppy farms, factory farming, greyhound racing and other perceived 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]