Introducing OneKind’s new Campaigns & Press Officer: Eve Massie

You might have heard that we have a new Campaign and Press Officer at OneKind? To welcome Eve Massie to the team, we thought it’d be great to ask her some questions that might help our supporters in getting to know her. Introducing OneKind’s new Campaigns & Press Officer: Eve Massie …

Eve joined us in July 2019. After graduating with a degree in Law from the University of Glasgow, she went on to a legal internship at Californian-based, non-profit, Mercy For Animals. She has since worked for several animal welfare organisations, including Swiss-German think-tank Sentience Politics and international group Farmed Animal Funders. Following her role as Social Media Manager for TheVeganKind , Eve joins OneKind, optimistic for a better future for Scotland’s animals …

Hi Eve, tell us a little bit about why you wanted to come work for OneKind?

Most of my background in animal welfare has been in relation to the US or England, and while these were very valuable experiences, I found that I wanted to advocate for those animals closer to home, which is why I jumped at the chance to work for OneKind. With fewer resources in the animal welfare than other charitable areas, its also important to me to work for a charity effective in driving change; as Scotland’s leading animal welfare charity, OneKind makes a difference.

What have been some standout/highlight moments from your previous roles?

While interning in the legal department of Mercy For Animals, I was able to work on and witness the prosecution of several factory farm workers, who pled guilty to animal cruelty on the farms. Mercy For Animals’ undercover investigators put themselves in dangerous & difficult positions to secure footage of the reality of animal suffering on industrial farms and so for workers in the footage to be held accountable felt like a huge achievement.

I also compiled a research report on the most viable legal routes to secure freedom for gorillas, apes and dolphins kept in captivity while working for political think-tank, Sentience Politics. Important work is being done in the area and I was grateful to be able to assist.

Which of our campaigns are you most excited about?

I’m really excited about OneKind’s fox hunting campaign as, if passed, MSP Alison Johnstone’s Protection and Conservation of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill would be game-changing in introducing a real ban on fox hunting. Sign our consultation responses page and help us ban fox hunting here.
I am also looking forward to getting stuck into OneKind’s campaign to ban farmed animal cages. As my background is in farmed animal advocacy, I’ve pushed for a ban on cages before and I’m confident that with such a strong group of other like-minded charities, change will happen soon.

What are you hoping OneKind will achieve in the next 12 months?

I’d love for OneKind to be instrumental in securing a real ban on fox hunting. OneKind has been doing important work in this area for decades and in working closely with Alison Johnstone on her proposed ‘Fox and Hare Bill’ I think we can end fox hunting.

It’s also high time there should be an end to the mountain hare culls. With 83% of the Scottish public against the killings of this iconic species and with culls taking place purely for the financial gain of gamekeepers, there’s no place for this cruelty in Scotland in 2020.

What plans have you got for our campaigns?

I’m keen to bring creativity and collaborate with local artists for our upcoming campaign demos. I’ve been inspired by the creative demos of other charities and social justice organisations, as I think storytelling is key to successful campaigns.

I also believe that tenacity is key. We have such a great group of volunteers and supporters that are passionate about ending cruelty to Scotland’s animals that I am encouraged to amp up the pressure with to drive meaningful change.

What’s your favourite kind of cake (this is very important in the OneKind office)?

Banana bread! (Is that a cake?)

Have a question for our new Campaigns & press Officer? You can get in touch with Eve here: eve.massie@onekind.org