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
Concern for seal welfare in Scotland as new figures reveal suffering
New information on seal killings in Scotland has revealed hundreds of seals could be suffering painful deaths at the hands of the salmon fishing industry. Despite stipulations that carcasses should be recovered where possible for examination, the majority of carcasses are lost and over 97% of seals killed were not subjected to a post-mortem. Between… Read more
OneKind calls for end to driven grouse shooting on eve of Glorious Twelfth
A leading animal protection charity is calling for an end to driven grouse shooting in Scotland on the eve of the biggest day in the shooting calendar. 12 August, or the Glorious Twelfth as it is known, marks the start of the grouse shooting season in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England. OneKind… 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
Charity calls for greater protection of Scotland’s iconic mountain hare on first day of open season
(Image Credit: Andrew Parkinson) A leading animal protection charity is calling for greater protection of the mountain hare, an iconic species native to Scotland. 1st August marks the first day of the open season when hare are routinely shot by shooting parties out for the thrill or by gamekeepers managing land for red grouse shooting…. Read more
OneKind renews call for shock collar ban following Fort Augustus child abuse case
Free availability of shock collars facilitates cruelty, according to charity Animal welfare charity OneKind has renewed its calls for a ban on shock collars in light of a child abuse case involving one of the cruel devices. A woman in Fort Augustus who gave a young boy electric shocks using a dog training collar after… Read more
Charity critical of Edinburgh Zoo’s latest attempt to produce panda cub
Animal protection charity OneKind has criticised the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s latest attempt to produce a panda cub for Edinburgh Zoo through artificial insemination. OneKind Policy Advisor Libby Anderson said: “It is desperately sad that the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has chosen to subject Tian Tian to further invasive procedures for a fourth… Read more
Scottish election candidates to be quizzed on animal welfare at hustings
Scottish election candidates are to be quizzed on their views on animal welfare at a hustings in Edinburgh tomorrow (Thursday). Online pet trading, keeping wild animals as pets and snaring are expected to be discussed at the event after a recent poll found these were issues which aroused strong feelings among Scots. According to the… Read more
Scots call for better animal protection from new Government
Scottish voters are calling on the incoming parliament to do more to protect animals from cruelty and suffering, according to a new poll. Online pet trading, keeping wild animals as pets, controversial shock collars and snares all aroused strong feelings from Scots. The national opinion poll, carried out by YouGov on behalf of a coalition… Read more
OneKind responds to Scottish Government announcement on the future of Scotland’s beavers
Scottish Government urged to ‘stop procrastinating’ and protect beavers The Scottish Government has today announced that a decision on the future of Scotland’s beavers, which was due last year, will be further delayed until later this year. This follows revelations earlier this year that beavers were being culled indiscriminately as they have no legal protection…. Read more
