Blog

July was an exciting month at OneKind, getting our gears in motion to plan an upcoming in-person action! In other news, we sadly received yet another SnareWatch report and raised our voices for greyhounds amidst the gruelling heatwave. Read more to find out how OneKind, with our supporters, helped animals in July. Plus, thanks to… Read more

Many vulnerable animals and humans were struggling with the heat last weekend, as Scotland experienced the highest temperatures of the year so far. There were important calls across media and social media, urging people to look out for wildlife and companion animals at risk of heat stress and dehydration. Dogs in particular are vulnerable to… Read more

It’s Cow Appreciation Day – a perfect day to raise awareness about the welfare issues facing cows and take a look at some of the important work being done by OneKind to improve their lives.   Cows are sentient and emotional beings with a range of complex needs to be fulfilled so they can live content… Read more

      It has been a busy month here at OneKind HQ with lots of animal welfare issues on the agenda at both the Scottish and UK Parliament! Here are some of the things we’ve been working on this June.   Collaborative Deer Workshop  We recently ran a workshop, jointly with John Muir Trust,… Read more

We are very excited to have a new OneKind team member! We’re delighted to introduce you to our new Social Media and Communications Officer, Niamh, who actually interned in our campaigns team back in 2017.  With her experience in communications and design and a first class degree in Zoology from University College Dublin, Niamh manages… Read more

Last week, MPs debated the petition brought by Compassion in World Farming, which we supported, to End the Cage Age across the UK. The petition, which gathered more than 109,000 signatures, calls on the UK Parliament to ban the use of cages for farmed animals.   During the debate, the Farming Minister, responding for the… Read more

Many of us face financial difficulties at some point in our lives. But the cost of living crisis is hitting many people especially hard, with individuals and families struggling to look after themselves – and their companion animals.   Recently, the Scottish SPCA and RSPCA released a joint report which found that almost one third of… Read more

Last week, the Good Food Nation Bill passed in the Scottish Parliament, meaning it is now the responsibility of the Scottish Government to implement it. As we’ve discussed previously, this legislation is a once in a generation chance to transform our food system for the better – and put the welfare of human and non-human… Read more

Yesterday, our Policy Officer Kirsty Jenkins gave evidence in the Scottish Parliament on the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill. The Bill, introduced in February 2022, has the potential to finally close loopholes in legislation that has enabled fox hunting with dogs to continue in Scotland.   We strongly welcome the Bill, but do not support exceptions… Read more

It’s Ban Live Exports Day, a day of action where communities across the world call on governments to put an end to the cruel live export trade.   The live export trade is the commercial transport of farmed animals between countries. Usually, these animals are exported from the UK to be slaughtered in Europe or North… Read more

It’s Garden Wildlife week! As the summer kicks off, it’s a perfect time to think of the wild animals in our gardens and how we can help them to thrive this season. If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space, here are some simple steps you can take to help the wildlife in your… Read more

The UK Government has officially passed the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill. The means animals will once again be legally recognised as sentient & for the first time ever decapod crustaceans and cephalopods will become legally recognised as sentient! This is a huge win not only for animals, but in particular decapod crustaceans and cephalopods who… Read more

We’re looking for a Communications and Social Media Officer to join our team! Does this sound like a good match for you? We’d love to hear from you! Please consider the job application below and apply by sending a CV and a cover letter, which clearly sets out how you meet the person specification, to Alan… Read more

We are delighted that British pub and hotel retailer, Marston’s, has cancelled a Valentine’s event featuring exotic animals at one of its pubs following a joint letter from OneKind and Born Free. The Chain Runner pub in Livingston had planned to host a ‘Crazy Critters’ event on Valentine’s Day. An array of exotic animals were… Read more

The Scottish Government has published its new Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill, that aims to reduce the negative impact of fireworks and pyrotechnics on Scotland’s communities. We are very supportive of the Bill, which would likely drastically reduce the use of fireworks. The noise of fireworks can be a real source of fear and distress for… Read more

Last night, OneKind Director, Bob Elliot, made the case for an outright ban on fox hunting in Scotland on STV’s Scotland Tonight. Bob debated Huntswoman of the Lauderdale Hunt, Claire Bellamy, who does not want to see any strengthening of Scotland’s fox hunting legislation. During the debate, Bob argued that fox hunting is a cruel ‘sport’… Read more

On the 1st February, we joined Cruelty Free International and Animal Free Research UK to hand in our Target Zero petition at 10 Downing Street. The petition calls for the Government to commit to a plan to  phase out to animal experimentation in the UK. An incredible 101,242 people signed the petition, which was debated… Read more

Are you looking for a resolution to help animals in 2022? Have you seen talk of ‘Veganuary’ in the media, but are unsure what the hype is all about? Perhaps you have signed up for Veganuary, but with February soon approaching you are unsure whether to continue to eat vegan? At OneKind, we promote compassionate,… Read more

Yesterday (20th January), in response to a review by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC), the Scottish Government announced its plan to ban glue traps! Glue traps are very cruel, inflicting a great deal of physical and mental stress upon the animals trapped in them, and thus we are delighted to welcome the Government’s commitment… Read more

This year was a monumental year for animal welfare and we are delighted to have played our part in securing stronger protection for animals in Scotland, the UK and worldwide. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all of our supporters who helped us create change in 2021.  These are our top 10 highlights from 2021!  1…. Read more

As we count down the days to Christmas, we’ll be busy joining festivities with our family and loved ones- hopefully eating delicious food, enjoying many a tipple and, fingers crossed, reuniting with our loved ones from afar. Christmas is a time of kindness, generosity and joy. We believe this sentiment should be extended non-human animals… Read more

Last Saturday, we joined the COP26 Coalition’s march with our incredible supporters and volunteers, amplifying the voices of animalkind while world leaders discuss the climate crisis. Our Fundraising and Events Coordinator Kirsty L reflects on our #COPOUT26 march and the importance of activism in our latest blog: #COPOUT26 March  We have been marching through central… Read more

Animal agriculture is responsible for between 14.5-16.5% of greenhouse gas emissions, but is glaringly absent from the COP26 agenda.  15 years ago, the UN listed the ‘livestock’ sector as one of the top contributors to the ‘most serious’ environmental problems.  It is a leading cause of habitat destruction, desertification, wildlife extinction, and ocean dead zones.  Four years later in 2010,… Read more

A Freedom of Information request (FOI) has revealed that Forestry Land Scotland (FLS) has continued to allow fox hunting foot packs access on its land since our previous exposé in Spring 2020. The FOI also reveals that FLS have been unable to stop ongoing wildlife crime which has been taking place on Scotland’s public lands… Read more

Some of you will know that we recently began working with Dr Athina Frantzana – an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion professional, animal lover, and OneKind supporter – to improve our inclusivity as an organisation. But why is this relevant in the animal welfare sector? Athina discusses the relationship between EDI and animal welfare in our… Read more

It’s so important that we support the mental wellbeing of our companion animals. Good mental health in pets is crucial in ensuring they live a long and happy life free from suffering. Across the UK, many companion animals are suffering in silence through no fault of their own, often because their humans simply don’t understand… Read more

What is animal photojournalism? Why does this genre of photography matter? What drives those who work in this field? HIDDEN: Animals in the Anthropocene is an unflinching book of photography documenting our relationship with non-human animals in the 21st Century. It focuses on the invisible animals in our lives: those with whom we have a… Read more

We have just launched our new campaign to ban the sale & import of fur in the UK. 72% of people in the UK support a ban on the import and sale of fur, yet the UK imports around £75 million worth of fur every year, which equates to roughly three million dead animals. While fur… Read more

On 8 June 2021 the UK Government introduced the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill to parliament, which introduces a ban on the live export of farmed animals for fattening or slaughter, from or through Great Britain. This was a historic moment. The live export industry is incredibly cruel and such a ban will spare thousands of farmed… Read more

To celebrate Scotland’s animals for Earth Day last month, our amazing Stirling volunteers cleaned up their local park by doing a sponsored litter pick to raise funds for OneKind. Raising over £100, we were blown away by their enthusiasm and passion for the planet! In this blog, our Stirling Group talk about the importance of… Read more

Today the UK Government launched its Action for Animals Plan. The plan sets out the Government’s commitments to protect companion, wild and farmed animals and addresses animal welfare issues not just within the UK, but also internationally in order to “set a clear global sense of direction”. In this blog we set out some key… Read more

Are you an animal lover looking to reduce your carbon footprint? Are you against deforestation, habitat destruction, and world hunger? Do you think farmed animals deserve to feel fresh air on their skin, and have the freedom to run and play outside? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, going vegan might be… Read more

It’s Meatless Monday! As we continue to campaign for a ban on farmed animal cages, live exports, and the salmon farm expansion in Scotland, we’re always thinking about how to promote a more animal-friendly lifestyle that we can all incorporate into our busy lives. On the first Monday of every month, we’re going to collaborate with a Scottish… Read more

It’s been a rubbish year in many ways, hasn’t it? We know that all the doom, gloom and uncertainty can take its toll on our mental health. Despite the challenges which 2020 has brought us, we have achieved a lot for Scotland’s animals this year. So, we want to keep up our hard work and… Read more

Campaigner and proud member of OneKind, Charlie Moores, explores why the words we use to describe wild animals is hugely important. Several years ago, a colleague and I started a podcast series for Lush called ‘Turning Point’. It had a very simple premise: “What was the one decision or conversation that changed your life forever”…. Read more

It’s Meatless Monday! As we continue to campaign for a ban on farmed animal cages, live exports, and the salmon farm expansion, we’re always thinking about how to promote a more animal-friendly lifestyle that we can all incorporate into our busy lives. On the first Monday of every month, we’re going to collaborate with a Scottish business to share… Read more

Retired Veterinary Surgeon and OneKind Animal Welfare Ambassador, Andy Cage, shares his professional experience in the UK vet industry and concerns for pet animal welfare: Challenges in pet animal welfare: The last 40 years Having recently retired as Senior Veterinary Surgeon after 40 years with veterinary charity PDSA I have been reflecting on how pet… Read more

A OneKind volunteer and Veterinary Medicine Student shares their industry experience with us to raise awareness of pig welfare for our autumn appeal.  Pig welfare: the problem Our farmed pigs are being let down. Indoor, intensive systems are getting bigger, herd sizes are growing and more pigs are being fitted into smaller spaces. There is… Read more

The Scottish Government has finally bowed to pressure from Compassion in World Farming and stopped live calf exports – now it’s time for a full UK live exports ban.  After decades of campaigning, we have a real breakthrough against live exports – and it’s in Scotland. Following a lengthy legal battle with Compassion in World Farming, the… Read more

OneKind volunteer and cruelty-free business owner Rebecca Miller recently launched her own vegan skincare company, Temple de Luna. We asked Rebecca to write a guest blog for our autumn appeal about why she never tests on animals, as one of our key requests in our manifesto is for the Government to replace animal testing with… Read more

Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes? Do you remember that bit in Indiana Jones, where he falls into a big booby trap filled with snakes? The world’s greatest adventurer, who bested the Nazis, found King Arthur’s Holy Grail and risked life and limb to save his hat…somehow, snakes were his one weakness. In… Read more

Monkey & Banana… not quite two peas in a pod Having an animal companion at home can help reduce our stress levels, decrease loneliness and make us feel happy. I totally agree with that. Having had cats all of my life, I can confidently say that they have been wonderful companions through some really tough… Read more

It’s Meatless Monday! As we continue to campaign for a ban on farmed animal cages, live exports, and the salmon farm expansion, we’re always thinking about how to promote a more animal-friendly lifestyle that we can all incorporate into our busy lives. That’s why we created Meatless Monday! On the first Monday of every month, we collaborate with… Read more

Think fox hunting is banned? Think again. We’re still waiting for the Scottish Government to close the loopholes in legislation that allow fox hunting to continue.  The short story below is just one example of wildlife persecution still occurring in Scotland’s countryside. The Hunt She lies down at the foot of the meadow, her whiskered… Read more

Earlier this month, we announced our Christmas card competition* open to animal lovers of all ages. We received over 70 entries to our competition, and we loved every single one of them! A huge thank you to all of our talented supporters who submitted their work – it certainly wasn’t an easy task trying to… Read more

Written by professional wildlife photographer and OneKind volunteer, Craig Jones. In a time where there is great pressure on the natural world, we need to step back, see the bigger picture and try not to impact on the subject’s life. For many people, the weapon of choice now is the camera. Use this incorrectly and… Read more

It’s Meatless Monday! As we continue to campaign for a ban on farmed animal cages, live exports, and the salmon farm expansion, we’re always thinking about how to promote a more animal-friendly lifestyle that we can all incorporate into our busy lives. On the first Monday of every month, we’re going to collaborate with a… Read more

OneKind has a long history of defending Scotland’s seals from persecution. Just a few weeks ago, we were nearing the final steps of rolling out our campaign to ban seal shooting, when something unexpected happened. The Scottish Government launched amendments to the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill to remove the two main grounds… Read more

It’s time to end the mass culling of mountain hares once and for all. On Wednesday 17th June, the government will be reviewing these culls and there is only one acceptable outcome: a complete ban on the slaughter. OneKind has campaigned against these culls for a number of years, having gathered over 22000 petition signatures… Read more

Why OneKind could be considered lucky during this pandemic There is no doubt that Coronavirus has hit the charity sector hard but we don’t yet know the full impact. While there has been an immediate effect on income and there will be long-term repercussions, OneKind is not in the same position that many charities find… Read more

OneKind is delighted that one of the 100 amendments to be debated in the Scottish Parliament next Tuesday reflects our calls to protect cephalopods and decapod crustaceans.  #SeaTheirSuffering   The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill is set to make further progress at Stage 2 in the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform… Read more

How Covid-19 is impacting charities now… and why YOU matter   Blog by OneKind fundraiser, Lauren Covid-19 has had and will continue to have an impact on charities all over the country. Charities are facing their biggest challenge; providing services through this global pandemic; staff coping with the personal challenges while trying to deliver their… Read more