Recently we asked, ‘what does it mean to be a good food nation?’ ahead of the stage one debate of the Good Food Nation Bill. That Bill has now been debated for the second time. We worked alongside the Scottish Food Coalition, which we are a member of, before the debate to support MSPs lodging… Read more
Guide to Parliamentary survey on Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
The Scottish Parliament has an open call for views about the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill, the new Bill aiming to close the loopholes that allow fox hunting to continue. This current call for views has been launched by the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment committee in parliament, as part of their scrutiny of… Read more
UK Government officially recognises decapod crustaceans and cephalopods as sentient
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
UK Parliament debates greyhound racing ban
On the 28th March, MPs debated a petition calling for an end to greyhound racing, in the UK Parliament. The petition, hosted by the Alliance Against Greyhound Racing and which OneKind has supported, obtained more than 104,000 signatures and requested that the UK Government introduce legislation to abolish greyhound racing in England. Debate highlights Greyhounds… Read more
What does it mean to be a Good Food Nation?
Next Tuesday the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill will be debated in Parliament for the first time. Global authorities recognise that people in industrialised countries need to transition towards a plant-based diet, and at OneKind we encourage and support people to make that shift. As long as some people are still eating meat and dairy,… Read more
OneKind’s latest report reveals cruel snaring incidents in the UK
Scotland’s leading animal campaigns charity, OneKind, has released a new report, SnareWatch Annual Report 2021: Case studies of snare use in the UK, which highlights some of the worst snaring, or suspected snaring, incidents in the UK during 2021. The report encompasses snaring incidents involving species snares are intended to catch, such as foxes, and… Read more
Animal charity welcomes Bill that could finally ban the ‘sport’ of fox hunting, 20 years on
20 years after the introduction of Scotland’s largely ineffective fox hunting ‘ban’, leading animal welfare campaigns charity OneKind welcomes the introduction of the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill. It will replace the current legislation, which has loopholes that allow fox hunting to continue. The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 prohibits hunting wild mammals… Read more
Seven principles for ethical wildlife ‘control’
Unfortunately, wild animals in Scotland are frequently ‘controlled’ or ‘managed’ – killed, moved, deterred, contracepted, or otherwise manipulated. These interventions vary in how much harm they cause; some are extremely cruel while others have less of an impact on the animals. OneKind opposes harming wild animals, but we know that it happens and in some… Read more
We’re hiring!
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
SUCCESS: Marston’s pulls exotic animals Valentine event
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
S.O.S.
S.O.S By OneKind supporter and Poetry for the Planet Winner, Sunny Jim The oceans are life, the oceans are hope, we depend on the oceans to keep us afloat, Our fossil fuel engine is starting to smoke, and we’re running out of trees to patch up our Boat. The oil is leaking the oceans… Read more
A thousand miles of mourning
A thousand miles of mourning By OneKind supporter Peter Kelly Swims Tahlequah with her dead baby that humans call a calf Did not let go of her dead baby for seventeen days of grief following as many months’ gestation and thirty minutes of life Calls upon her pod and family to help the… Read more
Did You Know
Did You Know By OneKind supporter Kirsty Watters Coral’s kiss only by the light of the moon Fluorescent lovers under the salty sea find sweetness in each other’s touch Experts in ritualistic romance Did you know? Cows have no depth perception To them one-inch holes can seem 1000 ft deep They… Read more
New Earth
New Earth By OneKind supporter Oliver Robertson I remember when I was your age We used to go on school trips Into hearts of forests Our lungs slipped On oxygen straight from the tap Where the boundaries between mother nature And civilisation Were as clear as lines on an ordinance survey The… Read more
Untitled
Untitled By OneKind supporter JL Contos Tides of screaming wash over me I see them everywhere Their silhouettes in the trees Bearing witness A trauma unparalleled Even by moments of seize The furor The madness Never go still A demand for silence Despair’s will How easy it is The condemnation of those Deaf of… Read more
Plant-based Rap
PLANT BASED RAP by Hoshimi Sakai and Alex Bourke The planet’s gettin’ hotter ‘cos our diets are meaty We have a solution: it’s the Plant Based Treaty Animal ag’s burden we can no more ignore We got three demands, yo’ people: Renounce, Reduce, Restore We gotta stop ranching and deforestation Big up sustainable plant-based education… Read more
What I Am Not
WHAT I AM NOT By OneKind supporter Karen Lean I am not free as a bird. What is freedom anyway, even at the best of times? Instinct drives us, so you could argue that freedom is merely a concept. In any case this is not the best of times and my instincts are meaningless… Read more
Swallows
SWALLOWS By OneKind supporter Jacqueline Smith Swallows plummet from sky to coast, flutter on by a bridge too high, hearing rivers bubble and other birds gurgle. They teach of togetherness; while in nearness and fairness they’ll swoop to help and hold, coorie under eaves; support each other in acrobatic dives. Lives of… Read more
Remember Me
Remember Me By OneKind supporter Morgan Welsh Remember me as I wear this green poppy for all the fallen soldiers Remember me as I walk through the bushland with my brothers our lives on the line Remember me as I burn and blister under the African sun my rifle weighs heavily on… Read more
The Calling
The Calling By OneKind supporter Lauren Jarvis A permitted path way By a chalk stone river A wetland of reeds Tall bull rushes Their brown velvety heads Hot pokers of summer heat The brown velvety heads Of the cows in fields Would be soft to stroke The two fields split By… Read more
Digital Rabbit
Digital Rabbit By OneKind supporter Clare Dyas A rabbit knicked my phone today I think it did because I left I somewhere where it isn’t But I know it was. I left my phone upon the grass Where all the rabbits play And one of them has picked it up And taken it… Read more
Dear Dairy
Dear Dairy By OneKind supporter Lauren-Marie Kennedy Dear Dairy, No I do not miss you Because you are without a doubt A feminist issue. I called myself a feminist But did not extend The idea of equality to the girls On the other end Of the Species Spectrum With devices they fit to their babies’… Read more
Hardcore Tortoise
Hardcore Tortoise By OneKind supporter Stephen Watt You, walking fossil, are a mobile bomb shelter. A steadfast rammer, built to last. Dragon-bones, cast as oracles, last lifespans reserved for royals and immortals; make pacts with Vishnu to carry domed worlds upon your back. When the earth trembles, quakes, shakes its crust… Read more
Flora – The Glorious Fox Who Came
Flora – The Glorious Fox Who Came By OneKind supporter Jenny Pearson Flora – the glorious fox who came You had come before But today was different You came the day the duke died The duke of my city The radio played mournful music You came once more You had come as I watched –… Read more
Flourish
Flourish By OneKind supporter James Flowerdew Welcome to Glasgow, delegates. Here is our Glasgow coat of arms. See, the bird, the tree, the bell, the fish? And we have a story to tell about each, but none that you might already know, nothing about saints and kings from long ago. We’ve updated them for… Read more
James Flowerdew – Untitled
By OneKind supporter James Flowerdew I can’t remember where I’m from Couldn’t care where I am going Cannot remember any sun when cold winds are blowing but please dont say I can’t feel pain I roam a path of wild distraction To find or earn or steal my food Searching for my other others To… Read more
This World We Share
This World We Share By OneKind supporter Fraser Murray The glaciers and ice-caps are shrinking No longer hard ice, but melt water flow Poor wandering Polar Bears another symbol Of helpless animals with nowhere to go Sea levels undisputedly rising And storm surges no longer quite so rare Creeping water grasping at land… Read more
Scottish Government proposes tougher fireworks regulations
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
OneKind Director debates fox hunting on STV
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
Target Zero petition handed into 10 Downing Street
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
Sentience Bill receives MP support
Recently the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill had it second reading in the House of Commons, giving MPs their first chance to debate it following previous debates in the House of Lords. If it becomes law this Bill will formally recognise the sentience of other animals and create a committee to scrutinise whether the UK Government… Read more
Debunking 5 vegan myths for Veganuary
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
Scottish Government bans glue traps
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
End of year highlights: 2021 animal welfare achievements
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
Second animal testing debate in UK Parliament
You may remember that at the end of October our #Target Zero petition to phase out animal testing, which we launched jointly with Animal Free Research UK and Cruelty Free International, was debated in the UK Parliament. Yesterday the topic was debated again, in what is known as adjournment debate, where an MP can have… Read more
5 tips for an animal-friendly Christmas
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
Boycott live reindeer displays this Christmas
Reindeers are native to the Artic Tundra, where they roam for thousands of miles across the Tundra. Some populations even travel up to 3000 miles a year- the longest documented movement of any terrestrial mammal. And yet, each year in Scotland, these animals are forced into small enclosures at garden centres and adventure parks, made… Read more
Fox hunting consultation guide
This is our chance to close the loopholes and get a real foxhunting ban The Scottish Government is currently consulting on proposed changes to the Protection of Wild Mammals Scotland) Act 2002 (the foxhunting ‘ban’). The consultation website is here. This is our chance to close the loopholes in Scotland’s legislation that allow fox hunting… Read more
#COPOUT26 March For Animals
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
Scotland’s leading animal campaigns charity set to march for the animals at COP26
Animal welfare charity, OneKind, will be marching alongside its supporters and fellow animal welfare organisations at the COP26 coalition march on Saturday 6th November to raise awareness of the significant negative impact animal agriculture is having on our planet. OneKind Campaigner, Eve Massie, said: “Intensive animal agriculture is, quite frankly, destroying our planet. It is… Read more
Animal charity urges public not to host private firework displays ahead of Bonfire night
Animal welfare charity, OneKind, is urging people not to host private firework displays this Bonfire season due to serious animal welfare concerns. The charity is also asking people to support their local animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centres instead of purchasing fireworks. OneKind Director, Bob Elliot, said: “As many people who share their homes with… Read more
UK Parliament debate our #TargetZero animal testing petition
Earlier this year, we joined forces with Cruelty Free International and Animal Free Research UK to launch our #TargetZero campaign to urge the UK Government to create and publicise a clear and ambitious phase-out of animal experimentation. Our #TargetZero petition has gathered more than 84,000 signatures (and is still growing!) and on Monday, Members of Parliament… Read more
COPOUT26: march with us to demand change for animals
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
Revealed: Fox hunting foot packs & wildlife crime on Scotland’s public land
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
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the Animal Welfare Movement
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
Mental Health in Pets: The Story of Bungle the Rescue Dog
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
How we can support our companion animals’ mental health
Over recent weeks we have been highlighting the importance of good companion animal mental health. Here are some ways we can all support our animals and enrich their lives. Understand and provide for their needs Firstly, we should learn about the psychological needs of the species and breeds who might live with us (here are… Read more
Killing beavers is not the only harm we cause them
Earlier this week NatureScot released its beaver ‘management’ report for 2020. The admission that 115 beavers were shot under licence last year captured headlines and hearts. And quite rightly – shooting animals is abhorrent in most circumstances and particularly difficult to understand in a species that has recently returned to Scotland and is supposedly ‘protected.’… Read more
Moving abroad with cats and how to minimise their stress
In 2020, I made the decision to relocate and join my partner in Copenhagen. There was no doubt that my cats would be coming too. Here I want to share my experience and give some tips on how to prepare for moving abroad with your cats and how you can minimise their stress. I have… Read more
Animal photojournalism and its key role in ending animal suffering
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
Badger put to sleep due to severe snare injury; we speak to the locals and rescue charity who tried to save him
Earlier this year, a couple from Drumnadrochit, a village of the western shore of Loch Ness, submitted a snaring incident through our snare reporting website, SnareWatch.org. While watching their wildlife camera footage, they noticed a badger with a snare around his neck had visited their garden. The concerned couple contacted Iona at Munlochy Animal Aid,… Read more
Celebs team up with animal protection groups to call for an end to animal experimentation in the UK
Celebrities Evanna Lynch, Lucy Watson, and Lesley Nicol have teamed up with OneKind, Cruelty Free International and Animal Free Research UK to call for an end to animal experimentation in the UK. The stars of Harry Potter, Made in Chelsea, and Downton Abbey have recreated an iconic photo from 1919 protesting against animal experiments, to highlight how millions of animals are still… Read more
Stars Evanna Lynch, Lucy Watson and Lesley Nicol join forces with animal protection organisations to recreate iconic protest photo
STARS EVANNA LYNCH, LUCY WATSON AND LESLEY NICOL JOIN FORCES WITH ANIMAL PROTECTION ORGANISATIONS TO RECREATE ICONIC PROTEST PHOTO Evanna Lynch, Lucy Watson and Lesley Nicol join fight to end animal testing by recreating iconic animal rights protest photo from 1919. The stars have teamed up with Cruelty Free International, Animal Free Research UK and OneKind to urge the government to pro-actively phase out animal testing following the release of latest Home Office statistics. Public urged to sign petition to urge the government to phase out animal testing: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/590216 London, 15th July: Stars from Harry Potter, Downton… Read more
Leading animal welfare campaigns charity, OneKind, raises concerns about Scotland’s new licensing guidance for the killing of mountain hares
Last year, the Scottish Parliament voted to make mountain hares a protected species, putting an end to Scotland’s mass scale mountain hare killings. It is now illegal to intentionally kill, injure, or take mountain hares at any time unless a licence is obtained. NatureScot, the public body responsible for Scotland’s natural heritage, has now published its mountain… Read more
Mountain hare licences: the highs and lows
We were delighted last year when the Scottish Parliament voted to make mountain hares a protected species. Unfortunately, ‘protection’ for animals in Scotland comes with caveats. There are always exceptions to protections, usually in the form of a scheme that allows people to kill or disturb ‘protected’ species if granted a license. This is the… Read more
What’s the deal with trade deals?
You might have seen a lot about trade deals in the news or your social media feeds recently. But it is all quite technical, and it can be hard to know how important it really is. So here we have outlined why it matters. Since we left the EU, the UK must renegotiate trade deals…. Read more
OneKind launches new campaign to ban fur
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
OneKind launches new action to ban live exports
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
Make Small Changes to the World: Litter Pick for the Planet
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
Introducing the World Federation for Animals
There has been an exciting new development in the animal protection movement. The recent formation of the World Federation for Animals (WFA) offers a chance for non-human animals to be represented at a global level and for their wellbeing to be incorporated into the United Nations (UN) policy streams for the first time. What is… Read more
UK Government launches Action for Animals Plan- what have they promised?
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
Our manifesto asks – what is happening now?
With only one day left until the elections, we return to our OneKind manifesto and consider the progress that has been made on a few topics and see which of our ‘asks’ were included in party manifestos. You can see more detail about party commitments on animal welfare in our previous blog or watch our… Read more
Parties’ animal welfare commitments for the 2021 Scottish elections
We hope that this blog will help you easily compare the commitments made by the five main political parties. This table shows some of the parties’ commitments on key animal welfare issues related to our campaigns. Below it we have given more detail on additional commitments each party has made. General Labour “will carry out… Read more
MSP candidates to be quizzed on their animal welfare policies
This Thursday at 5:30pm, a campaign coalition of the UK’s leading animal welfare organisations will host a virtual hustings for the 2021 Scottish elections. Strengthening of the regulation and enforcement of welfare standards in the pet trade, a ban on the use of snares and a ban on the use of farrowing crates are expected… Read more
Considering deer
Deer are often portrayed as symbolic of a wild Scotland – the ‘Monarch of the Glen’ proudly surveying his homeland. The implication is that they are thriving and revered. In reality, Scotland’s deer face many challenges. Human activities over centuries have created an unbalanced ecosystem, in which deer have no remaining natural predators. Consequently, the… Read more
New investigation and report reveals salmon suffering on Scotland’s farms
A new joint report, Underwater Cages, Parasites and Dead Fish, from OneKind and Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) and undercover investigation by Compassion in World Farming launched today reveal the true welfare and environmental cost of Scotland’s salmon farming industry. Scotland’s salmon farming industry is one of the top 3 salmon farming countries globally, and… Read more
Bill to ban farrowing crates begins progress through UK Parliament
Yesterday afternoon, David Amess MP introduced the Pig Husbandry (Farrowing) Bill to the UK Parliament, which was subsequently passed to the second stage. This stage is the second reading of the Bill, which allows MPs to debate the main principles of the Bill, before deciding whether the Bill should progress to Committee stage for detailed… Read more
New report highlights the worst snaring incidents in the UK in 2020
Today, we have launched our new report, SnareWatch Annual Report 2020: Case studies of snare use in the UK. The report highlights some of the worst snaring incidents reported to our snare reporting tool, SnareWatch.org, in 2020. Snaring incidents The report includes snaring incidents involving target species, such as foxes, and non-target species, including dogs,… Read more
New report from animal protection charity reveals some of the worst snaring incidents in the UK in 2020
Scotland’s leading animal campaigns charity, OneKind, has released a new report, SnareWatch Annual Report 2020: Case studies of snare use in the UK, which highlights some of the worst snaring, or suspected snaring, incidents in the UK during 2020. A snare is a thin loop of wire, anchored and positioned to catch an animal around… Read more
OneKind welcomes an end to the mass scale killings of Scotland’s mountain hares
Leading animal welfare campaigns charity, OneKind, today (1st March 2021) welcomes the introduction of legal protection for mountain hares. As of today, it will be illegal to intentionally kill, injure, or take mountain hares at any time unless a licence is obtained. This will effectively put an end to the mass scale mountain hare killings… Read more
Shocking new footage reveals horrific suffering at salmon slaughterhouse
Today Animal Equality has released undercover investigative footage of salmon suffering at a slaughterhouse. The salmon are repeatedly clubbed, left to suffocate on the floor, and had their gills cut, or torn, by workers, while still conscious. Animal Equality obtained the footage at a Scottish Salmon Company farm in Arnish, Isle of Lewis. The Scottish… Read more
76% of Scots want to see a ban on the use of snares
Our recent More for Scotland’s Animals YouGov survey revealed that 76% of Scots want to see a ban on the use of snares. We have long-campaigned for a complete ban on the sale, use and manufacture of snares in Scotland. Why? Because they are terrible for animal welfare. Snares cause considerable physical & mental suffering Even when… Read more
Recent poll reveals that Scots want to see better protection for Scotland’s animals
A YouGov poll commissioned by the new election coalition campaign group, More for Scotland’s Animals, has revealed that Scots want to see the Scottish Parliament implement stronger measures to protect Scotland’s animals. So, what exactly do they want to see improved? Companion animals 84% of Scots are in support of strengthening the regulation and enforcement… Read more
Scots call for better protection for Scotland’s animals ahead of the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections
A YouGov poll commissioned by the election coalition campaign More for Scotland’s Animals (MFSA) has revealed that 84% of Scots are in support of strengthening the regulation and enforcement of welfare standards in the pet trade (including breeders and online sales). This comes as Scottish SPCA has reported an increase in illegal puppy sales… Read more
20 reasons to go vegan in the new year
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
End of year highlights: 2020 animal welfare achievements
It’s been a strange and difficult year as, worldwide, we all tried to adapt to the ‘new normal’. We were also concerned that animal welfare may not be top of the priority list as the Scottish Government reacted to the COVID-19 crisis. But while we’ve faced unprecedented challenges for animal welfare, such as the rise… Read more
Meatless Monday: Vegan Cakes Edinburgh
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
Scottish Government licensing of grouse moors
The Scottish Government has announced that it will introduce licensing of grouse moors, during a statement of its response to a commissioned review of grouse moor management. That report, conducted by a team led by Professor Werritty, recommended the licensing of grouse moors after a five year delay, if substantial change did not occur in… Read more
This is why you should boycott live reindeer displays.
Reindeers are beautiful animals native to the Artic Tundra. They are used to the quiet of the wilderness, the open space and the cool temperatures that surround them. So why, in 2020, are they still being penned in small enclosures at garden centres, theme parks and adventure parks? Reindeer are not Christmas props and these… Read more
Winter Warmers
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
Language Matters: Guest blog by Charlie Moores, War on Wildlife Project
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
Charity urges people not to host private firework displays, due to animal welfare concerns
Leading animal welfare campaigning charity is urging members of the public not to host private fireworks displays in the absence of regulated public displays. Due to restrictions on public gatherings to curb COVID-19, charity OneKind is anticipating a surge in amateur firework displays on private properties. This seriously compromises the welfare of companion and farmed… Read more
The animal welfare terror lurking beneath Scotland’s waters
Below the waves in Scotland’s rocky coastlines, lurks a terrifying animal welfare nightmare. Beneath the waters, more than 38 million animals circle filthy, overcrowded underwater cages, where disease and death are rife. We need to take a stand against this eerie reality for Scotland’s salmon. We take a look at the horrifying animal welfare concerns… Read more
The intensive exploitation of animals may lead to the next global pandemic
On March 11th, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The world went into lockdown to try and control the virus and life as we knew it changed overnight. The leading theory is that COVID-19 originated from a wildlife market in China- that is, a market that sells wild animals, alongside other food… Read more
Out of sight, out of mind: Guest blog by Rhona O’Malley
Rhona is a member of the Edinburgh charity Advocates for Rabbit Welfare and is passionate about profiling rabbit welfare needs to give owners the support and information they need. Rhona wishes someone had raised her awareness to the innocent welfare mistakes she used to make and is now on a mission to be that voice… Read more
Meatless Monday: Black Rabbit Edinburgh
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
Challenges In Pet Animal Welfare Over The Last 40 Years
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 vet’s role in improving pig welfare: Volunteer Guest Blog
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
It’s Time for a Full Live Exports Ban: Guest Blog with Dr Nick Palmer
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 manifesto for 2021 Scottish elections
We have just published our manifesto for the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary elections. It outlines the actions we would like the incoming Parliament and Government to take to improve the welfare of Scotland’s animals. It contains 19 specific actions that we are calling for. They vary in form and complexity, but all are guided by a… Read more
Charity calls for an end to breeding of flat-faced animals
Leading Scottish animal campaigns charity, OneKind, has called on the Scottish Government to put an end to the breeding of flat-faced dogs, cats and rabbits, such as French bulldogs, amongst other welfare calls, ahead of the 2021 Scottish elections. OneKind has published its manifesto outlining its recommendations to the incoming Scottish Parliament and Government to make Scotland a better place for animals. These include the… Read more
Cruelty-free Skincare: Guest Blog with Rebecca Miller
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
From Predator To Pet: The Truth Behind The Snake Trade
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
Understanding your companion’s personality
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
Meatless Monday: Harmonium
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
The Hunt: A Fox’s Perspective on Fox Hunting
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
Congratulations to our competition winners!
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
Shot beaver found ‘slumped by a ditch’
Warning: Graphic image of shot beaver contained in the article We were horrified to see the disturbing photograph of a shot beaver that had been left by a bank in Perthshire. This graphic image shows the grim reality of our licencing system in Scotland. Last year it was reported that 87 beavers, a fifth of the population, were shot under… Read more
The live export trade: why is it so cruel?
The live export trade is the commercial transport of farmed animals between countries. Usually these animals are exported to be slaughtered in Europe or North Africa, but male calves may also be exported to be “fattened up” in the destination country. The long-distance transport of live animals to Europe is a serious animal welfare problem…. Read more
Guest blog: Fieldcraft and Ethical Wildlife Photography by Craig Jones
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
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