AN ANIMAL-LOVER from Plymouth is dedicating his life to the protection of animals across the world.

Glyn Roberts, 40, worked for the RSPCA for 18 years and now he is using his wealth of animal experience to go it alone.

He has launched Global Animal Welfare Solutions (GAWS), a consultancy company which has seen him travel to Malaysia.

"I've just returned from a six-month contract working with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Malaysia, primarily to train their inspectors but also to liaise with government departments over a number of issues, one of which was stray dogs and the dumping of animals," said Mr Roberts, who also offers legal advice and up-to-date information on animal welfare issues.

He has also visited a number of countries to treat animals caught up in natural disasters, including Sri Lanka after the tsunami struck in 2004.

"What people don't realise is that when you get a natural disaster you have got to manage animal welfare problems," he said. "They get displaced.

"With the tsunami people were being relocated away from the coasts and the animals were left to fight over food – and there are also other issues such as rabies to deal with."

Mr Roberts said his work was very rewarding but could also be frustrating because of the different working practices of each country.

"One inspector I worked with had been doing the job for two years but had only been learning from someone who hadn't had proper training," he said.

"It's like starting from scratch and giving them points on how to do things better and manage their workload."

And it seems the ex-Plympton Grammar School student can never forget about his work, and looking after animals.

"In the last 12 months I've reunited two dogs with their owners," he said.

"I've seen them running across the street on their own, scanned their microchips and taken them home."

However, despite his obvious love of animals Mr Roberts has never been tempted to own any pets himself.

"Most RSPCA inspectors either have a house full of animals or don't have any.

"I've never had any, although I did look after a couple of ferrets I couldn't find homes for."

For more information about GAWS, visit www.gaws.co.uk.