Stephen Philpott, Chief Executive of the USPCA, has been in post for 15 years.

His achievements have now been recognised in the wider world of animal welfare by his appointment onto the Advisory Council of World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). The world’s largest alliance of animal welfare societies WSPA has consultative status at the United Nations and Council of Europe. His place on the Advisory Council ensures USPCA concerns for animal welfare is, for the first time, heard at the highest levels of an organisation that draws together 910 member societies in 153 countries.

When animal welfare is threatened the word ‘compromise’ forms no part of Stephen Philpott’s vocabulary. He considers a key role of the USPCA as providing animals in distress with a voice, one that must be clearly heard. A man who leads from the front, his role in the forefront of countless welfare investigations has earned him the respect of his staff and the Ulster public. When necessary he has never backed away from informing the province about the shortcomings of statutory bodies responsible for ensuring the welfare of animals. If, on occasion, the Charity is subjected to the rancour of aggrieved agencies, so be it, at least the animals have had their say.

WSPA Advisory Council, June 2008

Peter Davies, Director General of WSPA, welcomed Stephen’s appointment to his Advisory Council as gaining a willing and trusted ally in his world wide campaigns against the abuse of animals. The vast remit of WSPA requires their investigators to deal with welfare abuses as diverse as the creatures on our planet. However, the Charity’s ethos remains uncomplicated and receives Stephen Philpott’s wholehearted support.

‘Cruelty to an individual animal is wrong. Cruelty to millions of animals is  shameful.’