Nikita talks with Dr Andrew Kelly, Director of Freedom for Animals, one of UK’s longest-running animal charities with a mission to protect animals from exploitation, harm and captivity.

Dr Andrew Kelly, a passionate advocate for animals, graduated from University of Glasgow in 1997 with a first class BSc (Hons) in Zoology and from Leeds University in 2001 with a PhD in Evolutionary Ecology. This was followed by post-doctoral research on Seabird Ecology.

In 2004, Andrew joined the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) as Manager of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire where he introduced a programme to measure post-release survival of rehabilitated wildlife casualties. Following a brief return to academia in 2010 at Queen’s University in Belfast, Andrew returned to the RSPCA as Head of Wildlife Department for two years during which time he headed a small team of wildlife specialists to deliver RSPCA policies on captive wild animals, the keeping of exotic animals as pets, and the welfare implications of wildlife management.

In 2013, Andrew joined Humane Society International as Consultant Policy Advisor working on a range of issues including working collaboratively at EU level to ensure the protection of wild animals identified as non-native species and to influence animal welfare provisions included in EU-wide legislation.

In 2014, Andrew joined the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) as Chief Executive Officer. During his seven years with the ISPCA, Andrew worked with other like-minded organisations to successfully campaign for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses, a ban on fur farming and a commitment by the Irish government to introduce legislation on the trade in wild animals as pets.

Dr Kelly joined Freedom for Animals as its new Director in December 2021.

In his spare time, Andrew is a keen birdwatcher and loves long walks in the countryside.