Last month, we required your help in urging the Scottish Government to phase out greyhound racing and ban the use of snares in Scotland.

With the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee calling for the public’s views on the petition to end greyhound racing and, later in the month, on the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill, we got to work trying to garner as many responses as possible on these animal welfare issues.

You spoke up for Scotland’s animals

Recently, we encouraged you to seize our chance to secure a full ban on snare trapping by responding to the call to views. We hope that you found our supporters guide helpful in doing so. The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill will license grouse shooting, introduce a ban on glue traps and could lead to a ban on snares.

The implementation of this ban would be momentous in protecting wild, farmed and companion animals from being harmed or fatally injured in these archaic and indiscriminately cruel devices.

Almost all European countries have already banned snares and with Wales close to following suit, it is empirical that we do not allow Scotland - often a leader in animal welfare – to be left behind.

We are grateful of everyone who spoke up for Scotland’s animals by appealing to the Scottish Government to ban snares.

SnareWatch Annual Report 2022

In April, we also published our latest SnareWatch Annual Report for 2022. This report compiled the most harrowing cases of snare incidents reported to us last year. Each case of suffering caused by snares highlighted the undeniable need for an outright ban: no regulations, no loopholes.

As snares are indiscriminate, many of the animals in this report are non-target species, such as a dog who thankfully survived after being caught by a snare whilst on a walk.

We secured widespread media coverage, including in The Ferret and Oxford Mail.

Watch 'End Wildlife Killings: Ban Snares in Scotland’

Last month we premiered our video of OneKind Director, Bob Elliot, investigating a grouse moor in Scotland following a tip off from a supporter. Bob witnessed the shocking scale of trapping wild animals for the purpose of grouse and pheasant hunting.

Shockingly, snares are used to protect the birds from prey to increase the number of them for people to shoot for ‘sport’. As Bob states, “the cycle of killing just keeps continuing…”

Greyhound racing – nearing the finish line?

Earlier in April, we called on you to respond to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee call to views in the consideration of a petition to end greyhound racing.

Encouragingly, over 90% of respondents supported a ban on greyhound racing. We would like to thank everyone who took the opportunity to give their views on the future of greyhound racing in Scotland.

We are excited to share more about our work to secure a phase out to greyhound racing with you very soon.

Opportunities to fundraise OneKind

Firstly, we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for OneKind to win the Movement for Good £5,000 award. Whilst we were unsuccessful in this round, there are still plenty of ways to support OneKind’s work at no cost to yourself, including voting for us to win £1,000 from the Movement for Good draw in June.

Vote for OneKind

Further, we are delighted to have been selected as one of four charities chosen by My Favourite Voucher Codes to be in with the chance of winning a donation of 20% of their profits in May.

Please vote for OneKind in their May poll – it’s simple, the charity with the most votes will win the donation! Voting is easy, free and does not require an account or use of vouchers.

Vote for OneKind in May poll

My Favourite Voucher Codes gives online shoppers the opportunity to fundraise for a charity of their choice and save on their purchase with popular retailers.

As all of OneKind’s campaigns and investigations are funded by donations, voting for us to win funds such as these is a great way to support our work to protect animals in Scotland.