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Scottish SPCA launches manifesto for animals ahead of Holyrood election
"Animal welfare transcends political views and in the run-up to the election we will be campaigning hard to get cross-party backing for our manifesto." Mike Flynn, SSCPA.

Charity urges candidates to take action against puppy trade, fireworks and fox-hunting.

The Scottish SPCA has revealed a new manifesto which aims to improve the welfare of pets, wildlife and farm animals across the country, ahead of the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary election.

In a survey carried out by ScotPulse on behalf of the Scottish SPCA, the majority of the 2,813 respondents supported every single item in the charity’s manifesto.

Mike Flynn, chief superintendent of the Scottish SPCA, said: “This manifesto sets out a series of asks which we know will deliver real, lasting welfare improvements for pets, wildlife and farm animals.

“The overwhelming majority of Scots are animal lovers and that’s evidenced by the results of our survey, which shows many of them want to see their candidates support the items in our manifesto.

“Animal welfare transcends political views and in the run-up to the election we will be campaigning hard to get cross-party backing for our manifesto. Scotland has made great strides in animal welfare in recent years, but there’s always more we can do. It’s time to do better for animals.”

One of the charity's asks in its manifesto is for a national register for people who are convicted for being cruel to animals. According to the Scottish SPCA, this would help combat the breach of bans by offenders, help link animal cruelty with other offences and ensure enforcement agencies are joined up and cross-referencing other registers with animal cruelty.

'A Better Scotland for Animals' also calls for a ban on the import of puppies under six months old, as well as tighter restrictions on fireworks, a ban on the import of dogs with cropped ears, a total ban on fox-hunting in Scotland and the introduction of an initiative which incentivises landlords to accommodate tenants with pets.

To read the full manifesto and sign the Scottish SPCA's petition in support of the charity's calls for action, please click here.

Image (c) Scottish SPCA.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.