Staff and students from Hartpury University were prominently featured at the UK Animal Law Conference 2025, held by the UK Centre for Animal Law (A-LAW) on 4–5 June. Their research presentations, spanning AI applications, housing legislation, and public awareness of animal welfare law, highlighted Hartpury University’s innovative contributions to the field.
Dr. Helen Tedds, Lecturer in Animal Welfare, delivered a powerful presentation based on her PhD research, which used bespoke Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to investigate the unregulated sale of pet reptiles and amphibians (herptiles) on online classified websites.
Her presentation, “Using AI to Investigate the Unregulated Online Sales of Pet Herptiles Across England,” revealed that:
- Around 50% of sampled adverts potentially involved commercial activity that could be bypassing existing animal licensing regulations.
- Up to 47% of adverts failed to meet the standards set by the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG), despite being hosted on websites that claim to follow them.
Dr. Tedds’ custom-built software, PetExSys, analysed over 117,000 adverts over a 49-month period. The AI system classified vendor types and identified non-compliance, offering unprecedented insight into the scope of unlicensed and potentially illegal pet trade in the UK.
“This research highlights a serious regulatory gap in online animal sales,” said Dr. Tedds. “It also demonstrates how AI can be a powerful tool for monitoring animal welfare risks at scale. We hope the findings can support enforcement bodies and drive legislative reform.”
In addition to Dr. Tedds, Hartpury students Natalie Powdrill-Wells (PhD candidate) and Amber Lundie (MSc Animal Welfare, Policy and Legislation) also shared their research with legal, academic, and advocacy professionals at the event.
Amber’s presentation, “The Blanket Pet Ban,” explored regional differences in how private rental housing accommodates pet ownership, advocating for more consistent pet-friendly housing policies. Amber plans to pursue a career in animal protection research or as a paralegal specialising in animal law after her studies.
Natalie’s talk, “Owner Demographic Characteristics and Awareness of the Animal Welfare Act 2006,” examined how gender, ethnicity, education level, and owner-pet relationships influence knowledge of the Act. Her findings stress the importance of tailored education and outreach to improve compliance and protect companion animal welfare. Natalie also works as a Research Officer at Woodgreen Pets Charity.
Hartpury’s MSc Animal Welfare, Policy and Legislation students benefit from complimentary A-LAW membership, including discounted access to the annual conference — an invaluable opportunity to engage with the wider animal law community.
The involvement of both staff and students at such a high-profile event underscores Hartpury University’s growing reputation as a leader in animal welfare science and policy. Their research continues to blend academic excellence with real-world impact, helping shape a more ethical future for animals and the people who care for them.
Click here to explore the full range of animal degrees at Hartpury University.
