Data which has been released under Freedom of Information rules has revealed for the first time the true extent of mountain hare persecution in Scotland. Mountain hare killing in Scotland is unmonitored and unregulated during the open season, which runs from 1st August to 28th February, and until now the only estimated number of mountain… Read more
More to discuss as sanctuaries regulations make progress
The Scottish Government has published its analysis of the responses received to the recent consultation on proposals to regulate animal sanctuaries and rehoming centres in Scotland. The consultation received a total of 185 responses, of which 73% (135) were from members of the public. A further 34 responses (18.3%) were from animal welfare charities, animal… Read more
“It’s not rocket science, it’s a case of killing things”
It’s very rare for a gamekeeper to speak out about what’s really happening on Scotland’s shooting estates, but yesterday Chris Packham released a 15-minute interview of an anonymous man who had worked on grouse moors in the UK and, in Chris’ words, wanted to “come clean”. What he describes is predictable: an industry at war… Read more
Shocking new footage shows a stink pit on a grouse moor known for mountain hare culls
Warning – Disturbing scenes of wildlife persecution Footage released today from an investigation by OneKind and the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland yet again shows the grim reality of the war on wildlife that is being fought across Scotland’s grouse moors. This stink pit consists of rotting deer carcases and dead foxes hanging from trees…. Read more
Grouse moor management under fire again as footage reveals more horrors
Warning: This video contains footage which may disturb viewers Following an expose of the slaughter of mountain hares in the Highlands, charities have released further evidence of the shocking reality of grouse moor management in Scotland. OneKind and the League Against Cruel Sports have today (Sunday 13th May) released new footage which shows another part… Read more
The raven cull – what we know, what we don’t know, and what next
A cull of ravens in Perthshire has been approved by Scottish Natural Heritage across a large area of Perthshire, predominantly made up of grouse moors. For more on the background to the cull, and why it must be stopped, see this blog. Three weeks on from when Raptor Persecution broke the story, here’s an update… Read more
OneKind welcomes public consultation on responsible dog ownership
Animal protection charity OneKind has today (Friday 4 May) welcomed the launch of a public consultation on responsible dog ownership in Scotland. The consultation has been launched by Christine Grahame SNP MSP ahead of her proposed Member’s Bill in the Scottish Parliament. The Bill aims to encourage people to only buy dogs from reputable breeders… Read more
Where do the political parties stand on mountain hare culling?
In the past two weeks, over 9000 emails have been sent to MSPs across Scotland asking them to do everything in their power to stop the slaughter of mountain hares. If you haven’t already, you can take the action here. Here’s the lowdown on which MSPs have responded so far and what parties support an… Read more
The Raven Cull – An unkindness on the moors
Unscientific, unjustified and developed without consultation with conservation or animal welfare groups. This blog looks at why the license to cull 300 ravens in Perthshire must be withdrawn immediately. For a long time, I thought ravens were naturally upland birds. I associated their ethereal and atmospheric croaking with days in the mountains in Wales and… Read more
OneKind issues warning to pet owners about the danger of snares
Animal protection charity OneKind is warning pet owners across Britain to beware of snares, with hundreds of thousands thought to be set across the country every spring. The charity’s SnareWatch.org website has recently received a number of reports of dogs and cats caught in the wire traps, with devastating results. Gary Wright’s cocker spaniel Murphy… Read more
Let’s all #SayNoToPuppyDealers
OneKind is delighted to be part of a powerful new initiative launched today to tackle the illegal puppy trade in Scotland. The project is led by the Scottish SPCA in collaboration with the Scottish Government, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, RSPCA, Battersea, Dogs Trust, Trading Standards Scotland, Blue Cross, OneKind, BSAVA and the University of… Read more
Killing mountain hares is not conservation
One of the most interesting things about how proponents of hare killing on grouse moors responded to our exposé over Easter is how little talk there was of disease control. In 2007, when SNH commissioned a study of hare killing in Scotland, it was estimated that 50% of hare killing was justified primarily on the grounds… Read more
Gamekeepers invite First Minister to learn about hare culls
Gamekeepers have invited the First Minister to visit a moor to ‘learn’ about hare culling. This follows the release of footage of hare killing on grouse moors by OneKind, the League Against Cruel Sports and Lush last week. In response to the a question about the footage, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP said: “Large-scale culling of… Read more
OneKind welcomes First Minister’s opposition to large-scale mountain hare culls.
Today, in response to a question in the Scottish Parliament from Green MSP Alison Johnstone, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP said: “Large-scale culling of mountain hares could put the conservation status at risk and that is clearly unacceptable.” The question followed footage released today (Thursday 29th March) from an investigation carried out by OneKind, The… Read more
Shocking expose of mass killing of Scotland’s mountain hares
Extraordinary footage from an investigation carried out by OneKind, League Against Cruel Sports and Lush has revealed the brutal, military style mass killing of Scotland’s mountain hares on grouse moors. Campaigners supported by Chris Packham are calling on the Scottish Government to take immediate action and end the killing. Mountain hare shooting is one of… Read more
OneKind and Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue announce new partnership
Leading Scottish animal charities OneKind and Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust have announced a new partnership in a bid to do more for Scotland’s wildlife. The two charities will work on joint fundraising and supporter engagement activities with the aim of furthering their work to protect, rescue and rehabilitate more animals in Scotland. OneKind Director Harry… Read more
For the Foxes – reactions to our fox hunting march
On Saturday 24th March, around 800 people joined a march For The Foxes organised by OneKind, The League Against Cruel Sports and IFAW to call for a real fox hunting ban in Scotland. OneKind’s Campaigner Sarah Moyes gives us all the lowdown from the march. [View the story “For The Foxes” on Storify]
Shocking investigation shows cruel reality for pigs reared for Parma Ham, funded by public money
Photo: copyright LAV/Eurogroup for Animals Today, shocking footage reveals the reality on some of the farms raising pigs for one of the most highly-priced pork products in supermarkets and delicatessens in Europe and worldwide – Parma Ham and other Italian speciality hams. The images reveal illegal practices, lack of hygiene and veterinary care, presence of… Read more
Hundreds expected to descend on Scottish Parliament this weekend to march ‘For the Foxes’
Campaign to really ban hunting in Scotland gathers momentum with march and rally: Saturday 24th March, Edinburgh Hundreds of people are expected in Edinburgh this weekend to march For the Foxes, an event organised by the League Against Cruel Sports and OneKind with support from IFAW to highlight overwhelming support from the public to strengthen… Read more
Animal sentience and welfare needs recognised by Scottish Parliament
OneKind, Scotland’s animal campaigns charity, has welcomed the Scottish Parliament’s unanimous support for an Amendment to the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament today (21 March 2018), recognising the sentience of non-human animals and the need to pay regard to their welfare. Libby Anderson, OneKind’s Policy Advisor said: “We are delighted… Read more
OneKind welcomes commitment to protect animal welfare after Brexit
OneKind, Scotland’s animal campaigns charity, has welcomed a response from the Scottish Government to look for ways to protect animal welfare principles after Brexit. Michael Russell MSP, Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe, said that the Scottish Government was continuing to consider how best to enshrine its commitment to the EU environmental… Read more
Ten Inspiring Things OneKind Supporters have done so far in 2018
Everything we do is powered by you. Here are ten amazing things OneKind supporters have done so far this year. If you’re inspired and would like to do something – big or small – get in touch and we’ll help you develop your idea! Our huge thanks goes out to these supporters and everyone else… Read more
OneKind responds to the news that the giant panda breeding programme at Edinburgh Zoo has been suspended.
Animal protection charity OneKind has responded to the news that the giant panda breeding programme at Edinburgh Zoo has been suspended. Edinburgh Zoo has confirmed Tian Tian and Yang Guang will not attempt to breed this year, as the Zoo wants to improve the panda enclosure before further breeding attempts. OneKind Policy Advisor, Libby Anderson… Read more
New report highlights welfare issues of fish on Scottish salmon farms
We were pleased to see the report by the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (ECCLR) committee was published today. This report follows their inquiry into the Scottish salmon farming industry and is written to inform the Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) committee in their inquiry into salmon farming. OneKind provided evidence to the ECCLR… Read more
March for the Foxes – One month to go!
On Saturday 24th March, animal lovers from across Scotland will be coming together in Edinburgh to march For the Foxes and call for a real fox hunting ban. Please join us. At the weekend, Ricky Gervais joined our calls for fox hunting to be banned when he spoke out and said this: We were thrilled… Read more
Charity renews calls for end to mountain hare culls on the last day of the open season
Leading animal protection charity OneKind has renewed its calls for an end to the mass killing of mountain hares in Scotland on the last day of the open season. Mountain hares are protected by a closed season which runs from tomorrow (1st March) until 31 July. Outside of this period, the animals are killed as… Read more
Celebrities back charity campaign to really ban hunting in Scotland
Celebrities including Ricky Gervais and Chris Packham are giving their support to a campaign to really ban fox hunting in Scotland. The campaign led by the League Against Cruel Sports, OneKind and IFAW is hosting a march next month in Edinburgh city centre to highlight overwhelming support from the public to strengthen the current hunting… Read more
The intensive grouse moors of the Pentlands
This week we got the sad news that Fred the Golden Eagle has disappeared in suspicious circumstances in the Pentlands Regional Park. On the one hand this is just another raptor on an ever-growing list that have disappeared on intensive grouse moors. But on this occasion, it’s more than that. The Pentlands are a Regional… Read more
Five reasons why we are concerned about Scottish salmon farming
I’ve recently joined the OneKind team to work on a new project that will look at the welfare of salmon on Scottish fish farms. With the recent launch of the inquiry into the environmental impacts of salmon farming by the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (ECCLR) committee, we thought it would be a perfect time… Read more
Meet a Member – Erica Cochrane
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
OneKind calls on Scottish Government to reconsider opposition to live animal export ban
Leading animal protection charity OneKind has today written to Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, to reconsider his position on live animal exports after Brexit. This follows comments by the Cabinet Secretary that are reported in The Scotsman today, in which he said that the Scottish Government would not be… Read more
Scotland stands up for mountain hares – reactions to Countryfile
On Sunday 28 January, OneKind Director Harry Huyton was interviewed on BBC Countryfile, speaking out against mountain hare culls. We were overwhelmed by the support from viewers across the UK, who were outraged at the indiscriminate killing of hares on grouse moors. We’ve collated some highlights below – let us know if you think we… Read more
Charities welcome overwhelming public response to hunting consultation
Over 31,000 in favour of strengthening fox hunting legislation The League Against Cruel Sports Scotland and OneKind are urging the Scottish Government to listen to public opinion when deciding on the future of fox hunting in Scotland, following an overwhelming response to a consultation on the issue. The consultation, which closes tomorrow (Wednesday), invited… Read more
Three reflections on Countryfile’s mountain hare culls feature
I was pleased to be given the opportunity to make the case for protection of Scotland’s mountain hares on the BBC programme Countryfile yesterday. If you missed it, you can watch the episode on iPlayer here. Here are three reflections after watching the show and people’s reactions to it on social media (and the OneKind… Read more
Scottish Government announces ban on electric shock collars
Today, the Scottish Government has announced an “immediate and effective” ban on the use of electric shock collars and other cruel devices used in the training of dogs and cats. OneKind Director Harry Huyton said: “Electric shock collars are cruel, unnecessary and ineffective. I’m delighted that the Scottish Government has today taken a stand against… Read more
Scotland’s electric shock collar ban
Today marks an important step forward for dog welfare in Scotland. The Scottish Government has announced that it will effectively ban the use of electric shock collars in the near future. No doubt this will be the media focus as the cruelty of these devices is plain to see for all, and there is overwhelming… Read more
Meet a Member – Elaine Mackie
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
Three reasons to back an electric shock collar ban
In 2016 the Scottish Government consulted on whether to ban electric shock collars or not. We assumed that this would inevitably lead to a ban given the strength of the case against these devices and, critically, the fact that the Welsh Government had already gone down this route. OneKind worked hard to help make this… Read more
Mythbusting veganism in #Veganuary
This year, I’m taking on the Veganuary challenge, and trying veganism for a month, with the goal of adopting a more ethical diet permanently. I’ve been vegetarian for 13 years, so I had to ask myself, why haven’t I transitioned to veganism sooner? I am a vegetarian for ethical reasons, so forgoing dairy and other… Read more
Meet a Member – Kirsty Murdoch
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
Why I’m taking the Veganuary challenge in 2018
I’ve been a vegetarian for 13 years, since I first started animal welfare activism as a teenager. And yet, despite the years I’ve spent volunteering for animal sanctuaries and donating to animal welfare organisations, and now working for OneKind, I haven’t made the switch to veganism. Why is that? For one, I’ve always thought it… Read more
Charity calls for a real fox hunting ban on the busiest day of the hunting calendar
Leading animal campaigns charity OneKind is calling for the Scottish Government to introduce a real hunting ban as the annual Boxing Day hunts get underway. Fox hunting was banned in Scotland under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act in 2002, however loopholes in the law mean that it still takes place. Two hunts are… Read more
Reactions to the ban on wild animals in travelling circuses in Scotland
OneKind Campaigner Sarah Moyes gives us the lowdown on the passing of the Bill to ban wild animals in travelling circuses in Scotland. [View the story “Scotland bans wild animals in travelling circuses” on Storify]
OneKind welcomes response to mountain hare killing petition
Leading animal protection charity OneKind has welcomed the Scottish Parliament’s decision to keep its mountain hare petition open while it awaits a response from the Scottish Government. OneKind presented its 11,000-strong petition to the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee in September in a bid to end the mass killing of mountain hares in Scotland. Today,… Read more
OneKind celebrates as Scotland becomes first UK country to ban wild animals in circuses
Leading animal protection charity OneKind is today (Wednesday 20th December) celebrating as the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill has been passed. The Bill was passed by unanimously following a debate at Holyrood. Scotland is now the first country in the UK to introduce a ban on wild animals in circuses. Bans are already… Read more
A decade of campaigning against wild animals in circuses
With the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses Bill about to be passed by Holyrood, Libby Anderson, OneKind’s Policy Advisor, reflects on a decade of campaigning to end the use of wild animals in circuses. Having taken a leading role in campaigning for a ban on wild animal circuses in Scotland, I am delighted that today… Read more
Stop the Puppy Profiteers
Last week, we launched a new report Scotland’s Puppy Profiteers exposing the traffickers, dealers and breeders in Scotland who put profit before the welfare of our animals. If you’ve never bought a dog then you might be unfamiliar with the conditions that some of these poor animals are sold in. As someone who was brought up… Read more
Why I’m supporting OneKind this Christmas
My name is Allie, and I’m a OneKind member and volunteer. I wanted to share with readers why I have supported OneKind for more than three years now, and why I am certain that the funds I donate to OneKind are truly making an impact for Scotland’s animals. Like you, I have been passionate about animals… Read more
This Christmas, I’m donating to OneKind for Scotland’s wildlife
My name is Ellie, and I’m a OneKind volunteer. I’m wanted to share with readers why I support OneKind, and why I would encourage you to donate to them this Christmas. Like you, I’m passionate about animal welfare and want to see an end to animal cruelty in Scotland. But I also care deeply about our… Read more
OneKind welcomes step forward on animal sentience principle
OneKind has today welcomed the publication of a draft Animal Welfare Act by the UK Government. The draft Bill recognises animals as sentient beings and requires UK Ministers to have regard to this and their welfare when developing policy. It follows public outcry in response to the omission of a similar requirement in the EU… Read more
Meet our Members: Emma-Jayne
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
Two Green MSPs receive Lord Houghton Award for Animal Welfare
OneKind has presented this year’s Lord Houghton Award for Services to Animal Welfare jointly to Green MSPs Alison Johnstone and Mark Ruskell. The Lord Houghton Award has been given every year since 1979. OneKind, Animal Defenders International (ADI), League Against Cruel Sports and British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) (now Cruelty Free International), take… Read more
Is this how fox hunting will be banned in Scotland?
The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, is a professed “opponent of fox hunting”. Indeed, under her leadership the SNP at Westminster put themselves between the Conservative government and the Hunting Act, foiling their attempts to weaken the ban in England and Wales by bringing it in line with the fundamentally flawed ban in… Read more
Animal sentience – why it’s important and where next
The vote in Westminster last week to reject the proposed amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill that would have effectively transposed Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) has been met with furore. Some of this has been misguided. It’s clearly nonsense to claim that MPs decided that animals… Read more
MSPs urged to back Motion in support of maintaining recognition of animal sentience in Scotland after Brexit
Leading animal protection charity OneKind has called on MSPs to support a Motion put forward by Mark Ruskell, MSP for Scottish Greens, on Protecting Animal Welfare after Brexit. Motion S5M-08973 calls for support of maintaining the legal principle of animal sentience in Scotland after Brexit. It has been tabled following the failure of a Westminster… Read more
OneKind calls on Scottish Government to recognise animal sentience in Scottish law after Brexit
Leading animal protection charity OneKind has called on Holyrood to take urgent action after Westminster MPs voted yesterday against maintaining the legal principle that animals are sentient beings. MPs voted 313 to 295 against Green MP Caroline Lucas’s amendment on Clause 30 of the EU Withdrawal Bill, with SNP MPs voting in favour. The amendment… Read more
Charity puts on Scottish wildlife art exhibition to raise awareness of the plight of Scotland’s animals.
OneKind will be putting on an exhibition of Scottish wildlife art in Edinburgh this month to raise awareness of the plight of Scotland’s animals. Art for Animals is a Christmas exhibition and sale of Scottish wildlife art taking place on Wednesday 29th November at the Dundas Street Gallery in Edinburgh. This exclusive pop-up event will… Read more
Meet a Member – Rebecca Jones
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
Challenging the Cull Culture
Alongside courses in veterinary nursing and bookkeeping, students at one College in Thurso can also learn the theory and practice needed to shoot seals. This is, of course, shocking, and quite rightly it has received media attention [1] this week after the issue was highlighted by the Seal Protection Action Group, a Brighton based campaign… Read more
MSPs support calls for mandatory CCTV to be introduced to Scotland’s abattoirs
MSPs have come out in support of a petition calling for mandatory CCTV to be introduced in all areas of all of Scotland’s 38 slaughterhouses. Alison Johnston, MSP for Scottish Greens hosted a briefing in the Scottish Parliament today on the proposal for mandatory CCTV and how it can be implemented to ensure Scotland leads… Read more
Meet our Members: Marian Hussenbux
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
Visit Scotland but don’t kill our hares, urges animal protection charity OneKind.
OneKind has called on VisitScotland, the public body responsible for promoting tourism in Scotland, to stop promoting business and organisations that support recreational mountain hare killing. Each year, tens of thousands of mountain hares are killed across Scotland. While some are killed as part of culls on shooting estates, around 40% are killed for sport… Read more
Mountain hare hunting cannot be ignored
Today’s call from ten leading Scottish wildlife charities for a moratorium on mountain hare culls is warmly welcome. As our report showed, culls continue in spite of repeated calls from the Scottish Government to stop. The voluntary approach is simply not working, and unless action is taken it will leave the Scottish Government looking powerless…. Read more
OneKind welcomes renewed calls for mountain hare culls moratorium.
Leading animal protection charity OneKind has welcomed renewed calls for a moratorium on the culls of mountain hares in Scotland. OneKind Director Harry Huyton said: “Mountain hare culls and recreational hunting have become routine on many estates in Scotland, and they are unmonitored and unregulated outside of the closed season. As a result, these beautiful animals… Read more
Meet our Members: Gary Crompton
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
Say No to Greyhound Racing at Wallyford
Businessman Howard Wallace first put forward his plans to build a greyhound stadium in 2001 and it was approved by East Lothian Council four years later. At the time Mr Wallace also had plans to build houses on the site but was told that could not go ahead until work on the stadium began. So… Read more
Today marks an important step towards a real hunting ban
OneKind has today welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of a public consultation on the future of fox hunting in Scotland, branding it an important step towards a real hunting ban. A consultation on improving the protection of wild mammals in Scotland was announced by the Environment Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham today (Friday 6 October). It follows… Read more
OneKind welcomes unanimous vote in support of ban on wild animals in circuses in Scotland
OneKind, Scotland’s animal campaigns charity, has welcomed today’s Stage 1 vote in support of the General Principles of the Bill, which will see the use of wild animals in travelling circuses banned in Scotland. The Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill was proposed by Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham MSP, who said in her opening… Read more
OneKind calls on the Scottish Parliament to pass a strong Circus Bill for Scotland
Leading animal protection charity OneKind has called on the Scottish Parliament to pass a strong circus bill that will end the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in Scotland. The Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill is currently making its way through the Scottish Parliament. The Stage 1 debate on the Bill is… Read more
The circus debate: let’s get back to basics
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
OneKind presents petition calling for greater protection of mountain hares to the Scottish Parliament
Animal protection charity OneKind has today (Thursday 14th September) handed over a 11,000-strong petition and appeared before the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee in a bid end the culls of mountain hares in Scotland. The OneKind petition calls for protection of mountain hare on both animal welfare and conservation grounds. It recommends a three-year moratorium… 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
OneKind responds to the news that Edinburgh Zoo’s giant panda will not be giving birth this year
Animal protection charity OneKind has responded to the news that giant panda Tian Tian will not be giving birth at Edinburgh Zoo this year. It was understood in August that Tian Tian was about to give birth. OneKind Campaigner, Sarah Moyes said: “We hope today’s announcement will mark the end of Edinburgh Zoo’s attempts to… 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
OneKind welcomes animal welfare commitments in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Scotland
Leading animal protection charity OneKind has welcomed today’s (Thursday 5th September) commitment by the Scottish Government to animal welfare in the year ahead. In the full programme for government 2017/18, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP pledged to increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty to five years’ imprisonment as well as a package of other… 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
OneKind responds to news that Edinburgh Zoo’s giant panda is pregnant
Animal protection charity OneKind has criticised Edinburgh Zoo following the news that giant panda Tian Tian is due to give birth any day now. It is understood that the panda is pregnant through artificial insemination. OneKind Campaigner, Sarah Moyes said: “This poor panda cub will never be introduced to the wild and will only ever know… 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
OneKind calls for a ban on driven grouse shooting ahead of the Glorious Twelfth.
Leading animal protection charity OneKind wants to see an end to driven grouse shooting as the biggest day in the shooting calendar approaches. The Glorious Twelfth, which falls on the Saturday 12 August, marks the start of the grouse shooting season in Scotland, the north of England and Northern Ireland. Between 15 and 19% of… 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
Scotland’s mountain hare shooting industry exposed in new report
Scotland’s mountain hare shooting industry exposed in new report OneKind, Scotland’s animal campaigns charity, will release a new report on the persecution of mountain hares in Scotland on Monday 31 July, a day before the open season on mountain hare killing begins. The report titled Mountain hare persecution in Scotland exposes the scale of mountain… Read more
Charities and political activists call for mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses in Scotland
OneKind, Animal Aid, and political activists are petitioning the Scottish Parliament to introduce mandatory CCTV in Scotland’s 35 abattoirs. The move comes after SNP passed a resolution in support of mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses at their conference in 2016. Since then, there has been little progress, prompting campaigners to raise the issue directly with the… 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
OneKind presents Cairngorms with a giant postcard calling for an end to mountain hare culls
OneKind’s Director Harry Huyton met with Grant Moir, CEO of the Cairngorms National Park Authority this week (Monday 26th June) to hand over a postcard calling for urgent action to be taken to end mountain hare culls within the Park. 8625 people added their name to the back of the postcard and a further 500 people… Read more
OneKind welcomes first successful conviction of a mounted hunt in Scotland
Leading animal protection charity OneKind has welcomed today’s guilty verdict in the Jedburgh fox hunting trial. Jedforest Hunt members Johnathan Riley, 24, and 66-year-old John Clive Richardson were both found guilty of hunting a fox with dogs on farmland near Jedburgh in February 2016 following a trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court. They are the first… 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]
Sad day for animal welfare as the tail-docking ban is weakened
Leading animal protection charity OneKind claims today is a sad day for animal welfare following the decision to reintroduce tail-docking for working dogs in Scotland. MSPs voted 86 to 29 in favour of lifting the tail-docking ban this afternoon. Today’s decision comes 10 years after Scotland introduced a ban on tail-docking for all dogs in… Read more
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
OneKind urges MSPs not to back reintroduction of tail-docking
A leading animal welfare charity is urging MSPs not to vote in favour of reintroducing tail-docking for working dogs in Scotland. Last week, MSPs in the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (ECCLR) Committee backed the plans to reintroduce tail-docking by seven votes to three with SNP and Conservative MSPs voting in favour and Green… Read more
OneKind welcomes the Scottish Government’s confirmation that stink pits are under review
Leading animal protection charity OneKind has welcome today’s announcement by the Scottish Government to review stink pits. It follows the Stink Pits Stink debate (Motion S5M-05662) which was lodged by Christine Grahame MSP and debated in the Scottish Parliament today. The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham MSP confirmed two… Read more
