‘She did everything she could to create a kinder world’: farewell to animal welfare champion

Rehabilitation of case horses at RSPCA Millbrook Portrait of RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Hampton with case 08-0127 horse Weasel in stable 1088459 Please read our licence terms agreed by you when registering on our website at www.rspcaphotolibrary.com. All digital images must be deleted after authorised use unless otherwise agreed in writing. Photograph by Andrew Forsyth/RSPCA www.rspcaphotolibrary.com Tel: 0300 123 0402 Fax: 0870 753 0048 email: pictures@rspcaphotolibrary.com

(Image credit: RSPCA)

Kirsty Withnall, the RSPCA case officer and National Equine Welfare Council director died on 21 April from cancer, aged 47.

Kirsty lived in Buckinghamshire, having grown up in Hertfordshire. She always had a passion for animals and learnt to ride as a child. Aged 11, she got her first pony, Topaz.

During her career, Kirsty was instrumental in a number of high-profile cases and large-scale multi-agency operations. In March, she was presented with the Sir Colin Spedding Award on behalf of the National Equine Forum for her extraordinary contribution to equine welfare and in recognition of her “tenacity and perseverance in bringing to justice those responsible for causing unnecessary suffering to horses and other animals”.

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Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.

‘She did everything she could to create a kinder world’: farewell to animal welfare champion

Kirsty Withnall, the RSPCA case officer and National Equine Welfare Council director died on 21 April from cancer, aged 47.

Kirsty lived in Buckinghamshire, having grown up in Hertfordshire. She always had a passion for animals and learnt to ride as a child. Aged 11, she got her first pony, Topaz.

She gained a national diploma in equine business management from Hartpury College, then a BSc honours degree in equine and estate studies from Moulton College, before joining the RSPCA inspector training programme, aged 22.

Will Mitchell, RSPCA special operations unit chief inspector, described Kirsty as an “exceptional investigator and rescuer, a fierce advocate for animal welfare, and a wonderful colleague and friend”.

“They broke the mould when they made Kirsty and she was a trailblazer and a huge influencer for the way we investigate cruelty,” he said.

“She was a fearless and formidable investigator, while also ensuring she showed every single animal and human who crossed her path complete empathy, kindness and compassion.”

Mr Mitchell added that Kirsty “loved her job, the animals she worked with, and the RSPCA”.

“She unapologetically, whole-heartedly believed in our goal and did everything she could to help create a kinder world for animals,” he said.

“We’re devastated that our time with Kirsty was cut so short and that her family and friends have had to say goodbye in the cruellest of circumstances, but her legacy lives on every day through the wags, purrs and frolics of the thousands of animals’ lives she saved.”

Kirsty is survived by her husband and two daughters.

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