More compassion called for
Animal welfare charities have come together to call for greater protections ahead of the Scottish election.
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.
This comes as Scottish SPCA has reported an increase in illegal puppy sales and trading during the pandemic.
It is not just companion animals that the Scottish public want to see better protected: the poll also revealed that 76% of Scots want to see a ban on the use of snares (cruel traps that are set to catch animals such as foxes and rabbits).
Some 67% support a ban of the use of farrowing crates for sows (crates where pigs are placed prior to giving birth, and for up to four weeks after, which are so small that they cannot turn around).
The More for Scotland’s Animals campaign aims to raise the profile of animal welfare in Scotland and amongst candidate MSPs. The campaign is being run by ten of the leading animal welfare organisations ahead of the 2021 Scottish elections, and urges candidates to pledge to do more for Scotland’s animals if elected to the Scottish Parliament.
Bob Elliot, director of OneKind, said: “What is clear from the results of the YouGov poll is that Scottish public expect the incoming Scottish Parliament to prioritise animal welfare in the next session. Voters will be considering companion, wild and farmed animal welfare when they take to the ballot box this Spring.”
“We are delighted to be co-ordinating the More for Scotland’s Animals campaign group to encourage MSPs to pledge to do more for Scotland’s animals. Animals play a key role in society, and the public care deeply about how they are treated, whether they are farmed, wild or companion animals.
James West, senior policy manager, Compassion in World Farming, added: “Compassion in World Farming is delighted to be part of the MFSA Campaign. Last year we saw Scotland halt live calf exports and 1.4 million citizens across Europe call for an end to the cage age. We hope that members elected to the Scottish Parliament will promote the highest possible standards for farm animal welfare, including securing a full legal ban on live exports and working to phase out the use of crates and cages on all Scottish farms.
"If Scotland is to claim it has the highest standards of farm animal welfare then these are just the first steps it must take along that path and we look forward to working with MSPs to make that claim a reality.”
Vicki Betton, PDSA policy and campaigns manager, added: “The PDSA PAW Report shows that 92% of Scottish pet owners consider this to be a nation of animal lovers, and with 83% saying that their pet makes them feel mentally healthier, and 43% considering their pet to have been a lifeline during lockdown, it’s not surprising that so many voters want to see the Scottish Government continue to drive forward improvements to animal protections in law.
"We’re pleased to once again be working with other leading animal welfare organisations in Scotland to encourage candidates to commit to driving positive change for animals if they are elected, and look forward to working with newly elected MSPs on issues which will improve the lives of Scotland’s pets.”
