#llysnini — Public Fediverse posts

PENLLERGAER: 50 years, 20,000 animals — BEM for the woman at the heart of Llys Nini

A woman who has spent half a century rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in Swansea has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Carole Stevens, team leader at the RSPCA’s Llys Nini branch in Penllergaer, receives the BEM for services to animal welfare and to the community in Swansea.

Over 50 years, the branch says Mrs Stevens has taken the lead in helping to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome more than 20,000 abused, neglected and unwanted animals.

She first joined as a teenager, working alongside Bill Deane at the old Swansea Dogs’ Home — and her care for the animals was obvious from those early years, according to the branch.

When the Dogs’ Home was badly damaged by falling trees in the storm of 1990, Mrs Stevens entered the wrecked kennels to save the dogs trapped inside.

In the decades since, she has helped develop the new Llys Nini Animal Centre into what the branch describes as a safe haven for people and animals, and a centre of excellence for training RSPCA inspectors, animal welfare workers and student vets.

Her work has reached well beyond the kennels. The branch says she has built its volunteers into a social network for people at risk of loneliness and isolation — organising out-of-hours events and helping many to overcome hidden disabilities and mental health barriers to become part of the team.

During an outbreak of feline panleukopenia — a highly infectious and often deadly cat disease — Mrs Stevens took the lead in working with local vets, boarding establishments and other welfare organisations to develop ways of treating it and stopping its spread.

The branch says she introduced training programmes and barrier-nursing protocols that helped halt the disease’s spread across the country.

Her dedication has become a family affair, too — her daughter Demi followed her into animal care, going on to become a full-time member of the Llys Nini team.

RSPCA chief executive Jo Rowland said: “Carole has been with our Llys Nini branch for an incredible 50 years.

“In that time she has helped to rehabilitate and rehome many thousands of animals and I’m delighted that her incredible dedication has been recognised.

“The staff and volunteers at our branches up and down the country are the lifeblood of the RSPCA and we couldn’t do what we do without them.”

The honour comes just days after the centre’s work was in the news again, when a Briton Ferry man was banned from keeping animals for seven years after three cats and two kittens were found living among rubbish — a case handled by the RSPCA.

Mrs Stevens is one of more than a dozen people from across Swansea Bay and Carmarthenshire recognised in this year’s honours list — led by a poignant MBE for the late Swansea councillor Robert Francis-Davies — with the full local list in our round-up.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

BRITON FERRY: Man banned from keeping animals for seven years after cats found living among rubbish
The recent RSPCA case handled in the branch’s area.

HONOURS: The MBE Swansea legend RFD knew about — but couldn’t tell anyone — before he died
The most poignant award on this year’s local list.

KING’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS: The Swansea Bay and Carmarthenshire names on this year’s list
Every local recipient, from hospice nursing to half a century of jazz.

#BEM #CaroleStevens #cats #KingSBirthdayHonours #LlysNini #Penllergaer #RSPCA

SWANSEA: #DogsAtPollingStations is trending — but spare a thought for the #DogsNotAtPollingStations who’d love a vote of confidence today

Across Wales today, social media is filling up with #DogsAtPollingStations – the much-loved trend where proud owners share photos of their canine companions accompanying them to vote.

But for every smiling pup pictured outside a polling station today, there’s another dog who isn’t there.

The #DogsNotAtPollingStations are the rescue dogs sitting in animal centres across Wales – many of whom have been waiting weeks, months or longer to find a new owner to one day vote alongside.

At RSPCA Cymru’s Llys Nini Branch in Swansea – based in the Senedd’s new Gŵyr Abertawe constituency – there are 11 dogs currently ready for adoption.

Many more will join them in the coming weeks once court proceedings conclude or rehabilitation programmes are completed.

The RSPCA is urging voters across Wales to consider adopting one of these dogs – so they can become part of next election’s #DogsAtPollingStations trend.

Among them is Bear, a two-year-old Chow Chow looking for what the charity describes as a loving forever home.

Bear is described by staff as a dog with “bags of character” who loves long walks and food.

The RSPCA notes that Chow Chows can have very long coats – something any potential new owner would need to consider.

Lady – based at RSPCA’s Newport centre – is a gentle and sensitive Patterdale terrier crossbreed who is looking for a calm, understanding home where she can truly blossom.
(Image: RSPCA)

Across the RSPCA’s other Welsh centres, more dogs are also looking for homes.

At the charity’s Newport centre, Lady – a gentle Patterdale terrier crossbreed – is searching for a calm, understanding home.

The RSPCA describes her as a little shy when meeting new people, but says with patience and kindness her true personality shines through. She would do best as the only pet in the home.

Nine-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Reggie is looking for a new home after his owner passed away.
(Image: RSPCA)

At the Bryn-Y-Maen centre in Upper Colwyn Bay, nine-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Reggie is also waiting for a new family after his previous owner passed away.

Tan and white Reggie loves to potter about outdoor spaces and is described by staff as full of love, knowing lots of commands and being a big fan of fuss and attention.

Dr Samantha Gaines from the charity’s Companion Animals Department said it was always heartwarming to see voters share photos of their dogs outside polling stations.

“With temperatures warming up, we’d always urge voters to keep their dogs nice and cool – or even consider taking them to vote in the evening depending on how hot it is outside,” she said.

She said many RSPCA centres were full to bursting. “We’d urge anyone looking to add a dog to their family to check out the RSPCA’s Find a Pet website,” she said. “You may find your paw-fect voting companion for next polling day.”

The RSPCA also published its own manifesto ahead of the 2026 Senedd election, and according to the charity’s Animal Kindness Index, Wales has the highest proportion of animal lovers of any UK nation.

Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager at the RSPCA, said voters had welcomed hearing from political parties’ plans for animals. “We look forward to working with Wales’ 96 new Senedd Members to ensure animal welfare is a top priority,” she said.

For anyone in Swansea or across south-west Wales considering rehoming a dog, more information about Bear and the other dogs at Llys Nini is available on the Llys Nini Branch website.

Full details of all the dogs available for adoption across the RSPCA’s Welsh centres can be found on the RSPCA’s Find a Pet tool.

#adoptADog #Dogs #LlysNini #RSPCA #RSPCACymru #SeneddElection2026

Crackdown on Carmarthenshire puppy farms sparks call for national dog breeding law overhaul

County at the centre of Wales’ dog breeding trade

Carmarthenshire has long been regarded as a hot spot for large‑scale dog breeding – and in recent years the county has seen some of the most serious cases brought before the courts.

• Earlier this year, an unlicensed breeder was ordered to pay back £100,000 in three months or face jail after selling puppies illegally.
• Another case saw more than 200 dogs rescued from appalling conditions at an unlicensed premises.
• In one of the most disturbing prosecutions, a breeder was jailed for mutilating puppies’ ears to increase their sale value.
• Other convictions have included confiscations of tens of thousands of pounds in illegal profits, and even a Kennel Club show judge prosecuted for unlicensed breeding.

These cases, many led by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Welfare Team, have highlighted both the scale of the trade and the challenges of enforcing existing laws.

Council review pushes for reform

In response, the council commissioned a Task and Finish Group to review how dog breeding is licensed locally. Its recommendations, now endorsed by Cabinet, include:

• A full review of licensing fees to ensure enforcement costs are covered.
• Stronger engagement with local vets and the public to raise awareness of licensing rules.
• Exploring a compulsory scoring system for breeders to improve consistency.
• Boosting resources for the Animal Health Team.

At a national level, councillors want Welsh Government to revisit the legislation, consider a centralised microchip database, and introduce tougher enforcement tools such as Fixed Penalty Notices.

Cllr Kevin Madge, who chaired the review, said the work was shaped by site visits and public consultation: “This assistance was valuable in helping us to shape the recommendations laid out within the report, which we hope will now be carried forward to improve the dog breeding licensing function within Carmarthenshire.”

RSPCA backs nationwide review

RSPCA Cymru has welcomed the council’s stance, warning that Wales’ 2015 dog breeding laws are now outdated.

Billie‑Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager for Wales, said:

“Carmarthenshire has long been a hot spot for dog breeding – so it’s really welcome the council is looking at how to ensure consistent standards are enforced to protect welfare.

“But some of the national recommendations are really important too – and we hope the next Welsh Government will take these on board, and commit to a nationwide review of dog breeding regulations.”

The charity says the scale of breeding in Wales demands regular review, and is urging the public to consider adopting rescue dogs through its Adoptober campaign.

What it means for dog owners

For residents, the changes could mean clearer information when buying a puppy, greater confidence that breeders are being properly monitored, and stronger action against those who flout the law.

But with Carmarthenshire’s recent prosecutions showing the profits at stake in the illegal trade, campaigners say only a national overhaul will prevent more animals suffering.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Illegal dog breeder ordered to repay £100,000 or face jail
A Pencader man was told to hand back six‑figure profits from illegal puppy sales or serve 12 months behind bars.

More than 200 dogs rescued from Carmarthenshire breeder
Council officers and the RSPCA removed over 200 animals from an unlicensed site in one of Wales’ largest rescues.

Breeder jailed for mutilating puppies’ ears
An unlicensed Carmarthenshire breeder was jailed after cropping puppies’ ears to inflate their sale price.

£80,000 confiscated from unlicensed breeders
Three breeders were stripped of tens of thousands of pounds in profits from illegal puppy sales.

Kennel Club show judge prosecuted for unlicensed breeding
A high‑profile figure in the dog world was brought before the courts by Carmarthenshire Council.

Cheeks, a two‑year‑old Cane Corso Mastiff at the RSPCA’s Llys Nini Animal Centre, licking his lips while sitting on the grass. He’s full of energy and affection and is looking for an experienced owner to continue his training.
(Image: RSPCA)

Adoptober shines a light on rescue dogs

The RSPCA says that while it is vital for anyone buying a puppy to choose a reputable, licensed breeder, the best way to support animal welfare is by adopting a rescue.

Billie‑Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager for Wales, added:

“While we want those considering getting a puppy to choose reputable breeders, and know how to identify those, the best way people looking to add a pet to the family can help animal welfare is by choosing rescue.

This Adoptober, we’re shining a light on the countless rescue dogs in the RSPCA’s care – including across Wales – and hope people keen to add a dog to their family check out our Find a Pet website, and consider adopting an animal.”

At the top of this article is Cheeks, a two‑year‑old Cane Corso Mastiff currently being cared for at the RSPCA’s Llys Nini Animal Centre in Swansea. Full of energy and affection, Cheeks is looking for an experienced owner who can continue his training and give him the exercise and love he needs.

#Adoptober #animalWelfare #Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #centralisedMicrochipDatabase #dogBreeding #Dogs #FixedPenaltyNotice #LlysNini #microchip #microchipDatabase #puppy #puppyFarming #RSPCA #unlicensedDogBreeder