Every summer, right up to 2011, a traditional travelling circus would make a two-month tour of southern and central Scotland. Bobby Roberts’ Super Circus always brought with it their aged, arthritic elephant Anne, taken from the wild in Sri Lanka and used for entertainment for over half a century. By 2011, she had no elephant… Read more
#TeamOneKind do the Kiltwalk!
On Sunday 17th September a team of 10 OneKind staff, volunteers and supporters took to the streets to walk the Kiltwalk and raise funds for OneKind. The Kiltwalks are fun organised walks you can do to raise money for charity. There were four events this year, in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh, with each offering… Read more
Why we need tougher sentencing and prevention programmes for animal cruelty
Pippa the cat was two years old. She lost her life one night in 2015, when her owner restrained, punched and slapped her, then bit her head and face before inflicting fatal injuries by slamming her against a wall. The whole incident was recorded by the owner’s terrified partner, and in due course it appeared… Read more
Meet a Member | Elaine Whitlaw
Members are at the heart of OneKind Scotland – without your support, we couldn’t be the strong voice for Scotland’s animals that we are today. We want to share our members’ stories, and highlight their passion and commitment to animal welfare, so we’ll be putting the spotlight on a different member each fortnight. Today, meet… Read more
Mountain hare killing scrutinised in the Scottish Parliament
Today I went to the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee to give evidence on our petition for greater protection for the mountain hare. Here’s my short video update: It was a great privilege to hand in the petition and represent the 11,000 or so of you who signed it. It was also extremely worthwhile. It… Read more
Are the Scottish Government turning over a new leaf on animal protection?
The Scottish Government’s track record on animal protection since the Holyrood elections two years ago has been mixed at best. It started with confusion when the new Government was formed and animal welfare appeared to be omitted from the list of Ministerial responsibilities. It took a Parliamentary Question to establish where responsibilities lay. Since then,… Read more
5 things you might not know about CCTV and slaughterhouses
Do you know what’s happening behind the closed doors of Scotland’s abattoirs? Because we certainly don’t. However, we do know that there are some serious problems. That’s why we launched our CCTV Slaughterhouse campaign calling on the Scottish Government to introduce mandatory CCTV monitoring in all Scottish abattoirs, covering all key areas, that is accessible… Read more
Meet our members | Charlotte Workman
Members are at the heart of OneKind Scotland – without your support, we couldn’t be the strong voice for Scotland’s animals that we are today. We want to share our members’ stories, and highlight their passion and commitment to animal welfare, so we’ll be putting the spotlight on a different member each fortnight. Today, meet… Read more
5 reasons why we shouldn’t be celebrating Edinburgh Zoo’s new panda.
It’s been almost seven years since giant pandas Yang Guang and Tian Tian arrived at Edinburgh Zoo on a 10-year loan from China. Since then, the possibility of a panda cub being born at the Zoo has been one of the biggest news stories in the country with every step of each failed pregnancy attempt… Read more
Scotland must follow suit and introduce mandatory CCTV in all slaughterhouses
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has today announced plans to make CCTV mandatory in all slaughterhouses in England along with other measures that he hopes will “cement UK’s position as a global leader on animal welfare”. This follows shocking revelations of cruelty in slaughterhouses in England following several investigations by Animal Aid. Harry Huyton, OneKind Director,… Read more
CCTV in slaughterhouses around the world
Undercover investigations by Animal Aid have revealed widespread animal welfare abuses in slaughterhouses across the UK (1) There’s no reason to believe that the situation in Scotland is any different. Indeed, between 2015 and 2017, over 700 animal welfare breaches were logged by the government watchdog Food Standards Scotland (2). OneKind are calling for the… Read more
Would you feel any different if one of these hares was called Cecil?
Recently, OneKind published our report on mountain hare persecution in Scotland. These indigenous animals are much loved by many, celebrated in myth and literature, and are an important part of the upland ecosystem. However, they are also shot for sport. During our investigation into mountain hare persecution, we discovered that several of the companies which… Read more
Mountain hare persecution in Scotland – reactions to our report
Campaigner Sarah Moyes gives the low-down on the publication of OneKind’s mountain hare report, the reaction, and what you can do to help. [View the story “Mountain hare persecution in Scotland” on Storify]
Are these admissions that mountain hare shooting is wrong?
On Monday we launched our report, Mountain Hare Persecution in Scotland, and exposed the scale of persecution and, in particular, commercial hunting of this iconic native species. Our report lists in an annex 25 companies that offer recreational mountain hare killing services and we pulled out three for special mention. Once this was apparent to… Read more
Mountain hare persecution – how you can help
Tomorrow the open season on mountain hares begins once again. Our report, mountain hare persecution in Scotland, exposes the full extent of persecution, the reasons behind it, and puts forward a number of recommendations to the Scottish Government. We believe that the situation merits urgent action, including: A moratorium on culling and hunting mountain hare… Read more
NTS Newhailes Dog Show
Thanks to everyone who came along to the NTS and OneKind Family Dog Show! We had a great time meeting you all and making some new doggie friends. Well done to all the winners, but especially to Betty Boo who won the prize for Best in Show. Here’s a selection of photos of some of… Read more
Why we’re backing Hen Harrier Day
This year, OneKind is getting behind Hen Harrier Day. We will be at the Highland Hen Harrier Day on the 6th August in Boat of Garten, where our Director, Harry Huyton, will be giving a talk about our campaigning on this topic, and we’re promoting events across the country to our members. We’re not bird… Read more
Reactions to the weakening of the tail-docking ban
OneKind Campaigner Sarah Moyes gives the lowdown on the tail-docking vote, the reaction and what’s next. [View the story “Reactions to the tail-docking vote” on Storify]
Five misleading arguments being used to justify weakening Scotland’s tail-docking ban
Last week, MSPs on the Environment Climate Change and Land Reform (ECCLR) Committee concluded their debate over the Scottish Government’s proposal to introduce an exemption to the tail-docking ban for ‘working dogs’. There was a majority vote in support of the proposal, with SNP and Conservative MSPs voting in favour and Scottish Green and Labour… Read more
Stink Pits Stink
This week, the Scottish Parliament will debate the use of stink pits in a motion put forward by Christine Grahame MSP. The Stink Pits Stink debate will be a chance for MSPs to discuss these pits which are used across the country as a fundamental part of predator control on shooting estates. If you’ve never… Read more
Dirleton Dog Show 2017
OneKind recently went along to the Dirleton Dog show where we got to meet lots and lots of lovely dogs and their humans. Here are pictures of all the fun dog show winners, including OneKind’s office dog, Millie, who came 4th in the prettiest girl round! Well done to everyone who everyone who took part…. Read more
How is animal welfare treated in in the #GE2017 manifestos?
Theresa May’s declaration of support for fox hunting and her commitment to a vote on the repeal of the Hunting Act in England and Wales has been one of the most talked about issues in the election campaign so far. Buzzfeed report that the bizarre move by the Prime Minster was even in the top… Read more
Should you be allowed to mutilate your dog for your hobby?
We don’t think so, but that’s exactly what the Scottish Government is proposing. In 2007 Scotland took a big step forward and banned all tail docking in dogs, but now they want to reintroduce it for some dogs. They are calling it “tail shortening for working dogs”, but let’s be clear what they mean: Puppies… Read more
Facebook rules let animal abuse slip through the net
Scrolling through your news feed on Facebook is something that we all do multiple times a day, but did you know that Facebook’s lack of a robust policy on animal abuse means that horrifying images and videos can make their way onto your timeline? The Guardian revealed today that Facebook’s policies on issues such as… Read more
Animal welfare announcements: glass three-quarters full
It has been a long time coming, but today is the day that the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill starts its progress through the Scottish Parliament. In around a year, we hope, our law will state: “A person who is a circus operator commits an offence if the person causes or permits a… Read more
The Scottish legal system is failing our wildlife
Last week, RSPB Scotland released a shocking video. It shows a hen harrier flushed from her nest and shot in mid-air. The perpetrator then seeks to hide any evidence of the crime. This is as strong as evidence ever can be in the case of wildlife crimes, which usually take place in remote areas and… Read more
A fox, a cat, a badger – 3 recent snaring cases that alone justify a ban
It’s peak snaring season in the British countryside. Snares are used throughout the country, mostly to target foxes to protect gamebirds. This includes pheasants that are bred in large pens and then released to be shot, and grouse, which are wild but are protected diligently by gamekeepers so that they can be shot for ‘sport’…. Read more
Let’s see some real commitments to animals this election
The Scottish public care deeply about animal issues. Last year in the run op to the Holyrood elections OneKind and our partners in the More for Scotland’s Animals coalition commissioned a YouGov Poll to test public support for progress on animal welfare issues in Scotland. YouGov asked 1,000 adults in Scotland the extent to which… Read more
New investigation exposes horrifying cruelty suffered by Scotland’s farm animals
Breaches in farm animal welfare in Scotland have long been a serious issue in abattoirs across the country. Following an investigation by The Ferret and Bureau of Investigate Journalism, the shocking reality of the issue has been laid out in black and white, leaving Scotland’s slaughterhouses with nowhere to hide and some serious explaining to… Read more
Scotland Bill to ban wild animal circuses comes close
Scotland could be a wild-animal-circus-free zone by next summer. OneKind understands that the Scottish Government Bill to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses will be lodged before the Scottish Parliament rises for the summer recess. The legislation will not only be an important statement of Scotland’s modern attitudes to animals, it will… Read more
OneKind talks fox hunting and snares at the SNP conference
Sarah Moyes, Onekind’s new campaigner, blogs on her experience representing OneKind at the SNP conference last week. Last week, I headed north for my first party political conference at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. The SNP conference is the largest party conference in Scotland, and came just days after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced… Read more
Snaring mountain hares ends because of ‘unnecessary suffering’
For years, OneKind has argued that snaring mountain hares should be banned. Both because of the suffering it causes and the impact it could be having on the declining population of this native species. This week, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) have finally confirmed that they will no longer be issuing licenses for snaring mountain hares,… Read more
Scotland has a hare coursing problem. Here’s how to stop it.
Hare coursing is an illegal bloodsport that involves chasing and killing hares with dogs. These dogs are usually ‘sight’ hounds, i.e. dogs that hunt by sight rather than smell such as lurchers and greyhounds. Hare coursers will drive around the countryside and on spotting a hare they will stop and release one, two or occasionally… Read more
It’s time for a Snare-Free Scotland
Last week, we were alerted to another poor fox that had been caught in a snare. The snare had snapped at the stake but got stuck around its middle. The fox managed to run off with the snare still trapped around him, but then went and got caught in another snare. Until snares are banned,… Read more
Watch out for mountain hare culls
For those that want their estates free of mountain hares this year, there are only six weeks left. On the 1st of March the closed season starts, giving these poor animals respite from persecution during their breeding season. At our #HareCare rally at the Scottish Parliament in November, the Cabinet Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, said… Read more
Scotland’s first industrial puppy farm rejected
Last week, protestors gathered outside East Ayrshire Council HQ as the local authority met to discuss proposals for what would have been Scotland’s first industrial puppy farm. It’s no surprise that these plans were met with overwhelming opposition when they were revealed in back in December. OneKind was just one of the animal welfare charities… Read more
Three reasons why fox hunting will be banned in Scotland for good
Boxing Day is one of the big events in the hunt calendar. Today fox hunts across Scotland will once again set out to kill foxes in spite of the so-called ban that was introduced fourteen years ago. For years, OneKind and others have been calling for the law to be updated so that the ban… Read more
OneKind calls for a ban on third-party sales of dogs in Scotland
The import of puppies from puppy farms in Ireland and elsewhere is a major concern with determined, unscrupulous individuals trafficking thousands of dogs to Scotland alone. The illegal puppy trade is a blight on animal welfare in Scotland, and we believe this issue must be tackled immediately. There is also a sizeable trade in puppies… Read more
These are Scotland’s Badger Culls, but they’re 10 times bigger.
Last year 1467 animals were killed in organised culls. 1467 wild animals, native to our country that have become scape goats for a bigger problem. They stand accused of spreading a disease that threatens commercial interests, and they are paying for this with their lives. I am of course referring to England’s badger culls, but… Read more
The Bonomy Review – What is it and where next?
Fox hunting was meant to have been banned in Scotland back in 2002. In reality, loopholes in the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 have meant that little has changed. OneKind has long called for these to be addressed, and we’re delighted that a major step towards this has finally been taken. This week… Read more
This post-mortem demonstrates why Scotland must ban fox hunting for real
This is the first time a carcass has been recovered from a fox hunt and post-mortemed since hunting was ‘banned’ in Scotland back in 2002. Here is what it concluded: “The shot gun pellets appear to have missed the vital organs so in my opinion the shot was not instantly fatal and death will have… Read more
New data reveals urgent need to protect mountain hare
With just one week to go until our rally and mass lobby of the Scottish Parliament to end mountain hare culling, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association has rung the alarm bell about the level of culling carried out to protect forestry. Mountain hare are protected by a closed season that runs from 1 March until the… Read more
Hare culls rally & mass lobby – One Week to Go!
On Thursday the 17th of September at midday, OneKind supporters will be rallying in front of the Scottish Parliament to call for an end to the mountain hare culls. Please join us! Most people we talk to are shocked to learn that Scotland’s mountain hares are culled in the first place. Everyone has heard of… Read more
New animal welfare measures fail Scotland’s dogs
Let’s start with some good news. Animal welfare is on the Scottish Government’s agenda and already two very positive initiatives have been kicked off. By 2018 wild animals in circuses will be banned, putting Scotland ahead of the UK on this important ethical issue and, we hope, demonstrating to other European countries that this can… Read more
More for Scotland’s Animals at Holyrood
Last week the More for Scotland’s Animals coalition put on an event in the Scottish Parliament sponsored by Christine Grahame MSP to look at how we can make progress on animal welfare in Scotland over the next five years. This follows our campaign earlier this year in which we challenged all candidates to commit to… Read more
Freeing a fox suffering in a snare was compassion – not a crime
We encourage anyone who finds a snare to report it to our website www.SnareWatch.org. SnareWatch aims to build the evidence base behind snaring and the impact it has on animals across the UK, and to date we have had hundreds of reports of incidents. About six months ago a relatively unusual report was submitted. A… Read more
OneKind celebrates Scotland’s commitment to ban wild animals in circuses
In its new proposed programme for Government 2016/17, the Scottish Parliament has pledged to introduce a Bill this session to end the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in Scotland. This follows decades of campaigning and lobbying for a ban by OneKind and the Born Free Foundation. Libby Anderson, our policy adviser who has… Read more
USA says no to Scottish salmon linked to seal killing
Seal killing has long been a serious animal welfare issue in Scotland, but it’s now threatening to become an economic and reputational issue too. The USA has introduced a ruling to ban imports with lower marine mammal protection standards than their own. It says that to export to the US, nations must implement a regulatory… Read more
The landscape-scale cruelty behind the ‘glorious’ 12th
From the Lammermuirs in the Borders to the Highlands, to the moors of Caithness and Sutherland; much of Scotland is managed to varying degrees for driven grouse shooting, the demands of which are the root cause of much cruelty to Scotland’s wildlife. Driven grouse shooting involves beaters driving red grouse towards a line of waiting… Read more
