Celebrating 40 Years of ADCH: A Milestone Conference to Remember!

In her opening address, Rebecca Cooper, Executive Director of ADCH, looked back at four decades of growth and collaboration since the Association’s founding in 1985.

“Celebrating 40 years of ADCH with so many passionate, dedicated individuals was truly special. The growth and resilience of our community over four decades is a testament to the shared values that unite us – compassion, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to dogs and cats,” she said.

Throughout the event, there was a clear sense of unity and shared dedication to improving the lives of animals. Despite the challenges our sector continues to face, our community came together with determination, compassion, and purpose – a reflection of everything ADCH has stood for over the last four decades.

The Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity Awards were once again a highlight. Many of our members were recognised as finalists, and we were proud to celebrate their outstanding contributions. Congratulations to this year’s winners:
• Cotswolds Cats & Dogs Home – Team of the Year
• Susie Hughes, RSPCA Manchester & Salford Branch – Employee of the Year
• Terri Dixon, Cats Protection – Volunteer of the Year

Thank you to Petplan UK for hosting a well-organised evening, complete with fantastic food and entertainment.

Thank you to speakers who delivered informative, inspiring, and practical sessions across a wide range of topics. Delegates left with valuable tools and ideas to take back to their organisations.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors– Petplan, Battersea, Blue Cross, Cats Protection, Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Woodgreen, Mars Petcare, Royal Canin, Byotrol, and KennelBuild – for their outstanding support. To see  all our sponsors and exhibitors, visit here.

A special mention goes to our Solidarity Members, whose early commitment and ongoing contributions have been instrumental in bringing the ADCH Conference to fruition.

As we close the chapter on this landmark event, we do so with deep appreciation for the community that makes ADCH what it is. The 2025 Conference wasn’t just a celebration of our history – it was a powerful reminder of the strength and opportunities that lie ahead.

Thank you to everyone who helped make ADCH Conference 2025 such a memorable and meaningful celebration.

If you’d like to receive updates about our 2026 conference, including opportunities for sponsorship, exhibiting, or attending as a delegate, please register your interest here.