NEWPORT City Council has been awarded a gold standard in the stray dog provision category of the RSPCA's Community Animal Welfare Footprint (CAWF) awards which were held today.

Other winners in Gwent included Monmouthshire County Council who received the bronze award for contingency planning.

The four categories for awards included stray dog provision, contingency planning, housing provision and animal welfare; with bronze, silver and gold standards awarded depending on the level of service provided by the authority or organisation.

The winners were presented with their awards by Lesley Griffiths AM, the minister for communities and tackling poverty at the ceremony in Cardiff Bay.

Chris O'Brien, RSPCA Cymru's public affairs manager, said: "The Community Animal Welfare Footprints acknowledge and recognise services which are too often undervalued.

"This year, despite the difficult economic climate, the scheme celebrates local authorities and housing providers going the extra mile to improve the lives of animals in Wales."

Established in 2008, CAWF is the only award scheme in England and Wales that recognises the commitment and achievement of local authorities, contingency planners and housing providers in improving and delivering animal welfare.