Animals Count is a minor political party

Political party

A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...

 in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 campaigning on animal rights

Animal rights

Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...

, founded in December 2006 by Dutch national Jasmijn de Boo of Kennington

Kennington

Kennington is a district of South London, England, mainly within the London Borough of Lambeth, although part of the area is within the London Borough of Southwark....

, London and Shaun Rutherford of Milford Haven, Wales. The party aims to bring attention to animal welfare

Animal welfare

Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...

 and environmental issues, in a manner similar to their Dutch equivalent, Party for the Animals

Party for the Animals

The Party for the Animals is a political party in the Netherlands.Among its main goals are animal rights and animal welfare, though it claims not to be a single-issue party...

 (Partij voor de Dieren), which de Boo stood for in the 2004 European elections. de Boo likens the party to the anti-slavery and universal suffrage

Universal suffrage

Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...

 movements. The party says it has more than 100 members, mainly in London and Wales.As of October 2010 the Party elected a new leader Vanessa Hudson whose aims are to now increase awareness of the Party and grow it's membership.

Electoral history

The party initially intended to stand in the Welsh Assembly elections in 2007. In the London Assembly election, 2008

London Assembly election, 2008

An election to the Assembly of London took place on 1 May 2008, along with the London mayoral election, 2008. The Conservatives gained 2 seats, Labour gained one seat, the Liberal Democrats lost two seats, and United Kingdom Independence Party or One London as they became were wiped out...

, de Boo stood in Lambeth and Southwark

Lambeth and Southwark (London Assembly constituency)

Lambeth and Southwark is a constituency represented in the London Assembly.It consists of the London Borough of Lambeth and London Borough of Southwark.Since the first assembly elections in 2000 it has been represented by Valerie Shawcross....

, receiving 1,828 votes (1.12%). The party sponsored an electoral list of three candidates for the 2009 European Parliament election

European Parliament election, 2009 (United Kingdom)

The European Parliament election was the United Kingdom's component of the 2009 European Parliament election, the voting for which was held on Thursday 4 June 2009, coinciding with the 2009 local elections in England. Most of the results of the election were announced on Sunday 7 June, after...

 in the United Kingdom's Eastern region

East of England (European Parliament constituency)

East of England is a constituency of the European Parliament. It currently elects 7 MEPs using the d'Hondt method of party-list proportional representation.- Boundaries :...

, receiving 13,201 votes (0.8%).
In the United Kingdom general election, 2010, Richard Deboo stood as their candidate in the Islington South & Finsbury constituency. He received 149 votes (0.3%).

Policies

Some of the parties policies include:

• NHS-style animal healthcare system
• "Green corridors" for wildlife
• More humane meals in schools, hospitals and care homes
• More parks and green spaces for wildlife
• Government funding for animal rescue services.