Latest news with #OneKind
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Monkey addicted to marshmallows saved from pet trade
Charities have warned of a growing trade in wild animals across Scotland after a monkey was discovered in a bird cage in East Lothian with a marshmallow addiction. They are calling on the Scottish government to introduce a permitted list of animals that can be legally kept as pets. OneKind, the Scottish SPCA and Born Free say there are currently very few restrictions, which has led to many creatures suffering in unsuitable conditions. The young marmoset monkey - called Steve - was taken in by the Scottish SPCA after neighbours spotted him in a living room window in March. The charity said the four-year-old monkey was underweight and "stressed out" from constant handling. He had developed an addiction to sugary marshmallows after being repeatedly fed them as a treat. After six weeks in the charity's care, Steve made a full recovery and was moved to a permanent home in a monkey sanctuary in England. Gilly Mendes Ferreira, the Scottish SPCA's strategic communications director, said people were unaware of the scale of wild animal keeping in Scotland. "It's a growing and worrying trend," she said. "Animals like Steve being bought and sold as novelty pets, often on impulse, with little understanding of the complex care they require." She added: "Marmosets are highly intelligent, social primates that need space, stimulation, and the companionship of their own kind. "No domestic setting - no matter how well-meaning - can truly meet those needs. " The Scottish government said it was committed to the highest standards of animal welfare and understood public health and conservation concerns around the keeping of exotic pets. Research by the animal charities for their new Don't Pet Me campaign suggested requests from children may persuade people to acquire novelty pets. External influences like social media, films and games such as Pokémon and Minecraft have also been linked to the trade of wild animals. Researchers from the charities found that over a 16-week period, creatures from more than 300 species were advertised for sale in Scotland. They said the trade was an international business with some animals transported by couriers in inappropriate containers - sometimes without any indication a live animal is inside. A Scottish government spokesperson said: "We welcome the work of groups in dealing with the welfare problems caused by irresponsible owners and the campaign for raising awareness of this important issue. "The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission has explored the issues surrounding the keeping of exotic pets and we will continue to consider the steps that could be taken in this area." Cat found in illegal trap had to be euthanised 'Unprecedented' number of dogs rescued from 'squalid' conditions
The National
01-05-2025
- General
- The National
Monkey found 'stressed' in bird cage in East Lothian
SSPCA officers were called out after neighbours in East Lothian spotted a young marmoset in a large bird cage in a living room window in March. The four-year-old monkey, named Steve, was found underweight and stressed out from constant handling. (Image: SSPCA / PA) Officers said he had developed an addiction to marshmallows after being constantly fed them. The SSPCA inspectors took Steve into their care, and after six weeks, he made a full recovery. He has since been transferred to a permanent home in a monkey sanctuary in England. SSPCA shared the 'harrowing' story as part of its Don't Pet Me campaign, in collaboration with wildlife charities Born Free and OneKind, to raise awareness of the wild animal pet trade in Scotland. READ MORE: Endangered giraffe arrives at Scottish safari park in bid to boost breeding The charity urged the Scottish Government to introduce a permitted list of animals that can be legally kept as pets as at present there are very few restrictions on what animals can be owned. The campaign is accompanied by a petition calling for a permitted list of animals that can be kept as pets. SSPCA director of strategic communications and partnership engagement, Gilly Mendes Ferreira, said many people are unaware of the 'growing and worrying trend' of keeping wild animal keeping in Scotland. She said: 'Animals like Steve being bought and sold as novelty pets, often on impulse, with little understanding of the complex care they require.' She added that although the animals may look cute they are 'anything but easy' to look after. 'Marmosets are highly intelligent, social primates that need space, stimulation, and the companionship of their own kind,' she said. 'No domestic setting, no matter how well-meaning, can truly meet those needs. Thankfully Steve's story has a happy ending but not every animal will be so lucky.' The charities investigated online and pet shop sales, and commissioned research into the motivations and behaviours of those keeping wild animals, with the findings included in their Don't Pet Me report. Researchers found that over a 16-week period, creatures from more than 300 species were advertised for sale in Scotland. The report highlights trade in wild animals as pets is international, with some transported by mail services and couriers, in inappropriate containers, sometimes without any indication a live animal is inside. It found many first-time owners are younger people, born after 1980. READ MORE: Hotel on Scotland's NC500 with 'stunning views' put up for sale It is thought requests from children may persuade people to acquire such a pet, while it has also been linked to external influences like social media, films and games such as Pokemon and Minecraft. OneKind's director of policy Kirsty Jenkins said: 'The research we commissioned painted a deeply worrying picture of how species commonly referred to as 'exotic pets' are thought of and treated – often as commodities or collections. 'Such sad stories emerged, of animals being kept in tiny boxes, poor diets, social isolation, forced handling, accidents and deaths. 'The law is currently failing to protect these animals – that must change.' Born Free's captivity research and policy manager, Chris Lewis, said the campaign highlights the distressing number and variety of wild animals for sale in Scotland and the lack of regulatory oversight. 'This should be a major cause for concern for the Scottish Government, legislators, animal-lovers and the public in general,' he said. 'Worryingly, the data and stories of individual animals included in the report may only be the tip of the iceberg. The existing legislation is inappropriate and outdated, it is unable to keep up with ever changing trends and demand for wild animals as pets.' He added: 'Most tragically though it is failing to protect the animals sadly caught up in this trade. 'Something needs to change. In the lead up to the next Scottish election, Born Free is calling on all political parties in Scotland to commit to comprehensive changes to the laws around the buying, selling and keeping of wild animals as pets.' The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
Sunday Post
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Sunday Post
Animal welfare groups support MSP's greyhound racing ban Bill
Get a weekly round-up of stories from The Sunday Post: Thank you for signing up to our Sunday Post newsletter. Something went wrong - please try again later. Sign Up For decades, punters enjoyed a night out at the greyhound racing. At one time, tens of thousands congregated at tracks up and down the country. While interest has dwindled, for some it remains a quintessential British pastime. But could that be set to end? Last week, a bill was lodged at Holyrood proposing a ban on greyhound racing north of the border. Presented by Green MSP Mark Ruskell, the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill has received cross-party support, as well as backing from a coalition of nine animal welfare organisations known as Unbound The Greyhound. One of those groups, animal protection charity OneKind, says greyhound racing is a dying industry that has very little public support. © OneKind 'While the industry has spoken about improving welfare care, it's not happened,' said the charity's spokesperson, Eve Massie. 'Self-regulation by the industry has failed.' 'It's clear to us the support isn't there in Scotland. It's cruel and outdated.' Data from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) states there were 977 track fatalities between 2018 and 2023, while total injuries in that time amounted to 26,522. The Greyhound Racing (offences) Bill has been introduced in the Scottish Parliament. It's a landmark step for animal welfare – this Bill will make it a criminal offence to: -cause or permit a greyhound to run on an oval racetrack -operate a greyhound racing track in Scotland — Scottish SPCA 🐾 (@ScottishSPCA) April 24, 2025 The Welsh Government announced in February it would ban greyhound racing and campaigners in Scotland hope for the same here. But the industry may already be winding down, with Shawfield Stadium in Glasgow having failed to re-open after the pandemic, while Thornton in Kirkcaldy – an unlicensed track – has ceased racing at the moment. Owen Sharp, chief executive at Dogs Trust, said: 'While we worked closely with the greyhound industry for many years to try to improve welfare conditions for the dogs, progress has not been made quickly enough or on a big enough scale. 'It is simply not acceptable that in the UK over 2,700 greyhounds died or were put to sleep over the past six years, all in the name of entertainment.' © Jane Barlow/PA Wire But Mark Bird, chief executive of the GBGB, said the legislation presented last week is 'confused' and 'ill thought-out'. He added: 'Any ban would simply jeopardise the welfare of greyhounds. We have submitted considerable evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee and have had positive meetings with them about the importance and effectiveness of strong regulation.' Rehomed dogs Here, we highlight three former racing greyhounds that suffered devastating injuries but have since been rehomed by Scots families. Kaas © Supplied Kaas was raced across the UK, including Glasgow's Shawfield Stadium. In 2018, following a jaw injury, Kaas' trainer took her to the vet to be euthanised, despite the injury being treatable. Her trainer claimed her kennel mate attacked her. However, a specialist vet concluded that Kaas' injury was caused by a direct blow to her jaw. The independent rehoming charity that saved Kaas covered the £8,000 surgery and dental treatment costs. Her trainer did not pay anything towards her treatment and was also disqualified for doping. Kaas and her kennel mate were discovered with drugs in their system just a few months apart. While the committee didn't think Kaas's drugging was deliberate, they concluded the drugging of her kennel mate had to be, and as it was the second instance in a matter of months he was reprimanded. Kaas originally came into Fiona and Scott Bradley's lives as a foster. The Glasgow couple have fostered 10 greyhounds and rehomed five in the past decade. When they saw Kaas comfort another of their rescues, Bambi, during fireworks they knew she was staying. Bambi has since sadly passed away, but Kaas has proved to be a wonderful foster sister to the many greyhounds that have lived with her on their way to a permanent home. She has also been a frequent blood donor, made friends with Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil and met metal band Pantera thanks to her dad's work as a merchandise manager in the music industry. Fiona said: 'Kaas has since retired as a blood donor after 21 donations, welcomed a new greyhound sister, Aggy, and has passed her assessment to become a therapet.' Joy © Supplied Joy was raced 60 times before she seriously injured herself during her final race, which cost her one of her legs. Her trainer was Rebecca Perkins, who was convicted of animal cruelty in 2023 following the discovery of 37 ill and emaciated greyhounds living in squalor at her property. Just two weeks after her surgery, Joy moved in with her foster mums, who soon decided she was there to stay. Her family, who live in Fife, describe her as being like a puppy – everything was new to her – and Joy was amazed and overwhelmed in equal measure. Initially, she was switched off and timid, but she is now playful and enjoys making both human and dog friends. Six-year-old Joy's owner, Katie Sibbald, said: 'She is full of fun and life, still coping well with being a tripawd, and she brings a smile to the face of everyone she meets.' Katie has fostered around 150 dogs and was the chair of the Scottish Greyhound Sanctuary for 10 years. She said the contrast in Joy, who won the Pawblic Vote at the 2023 Holyrood Dog of the Year, from when she arrived to just one month later speaks volumes for the breed's resilience. Sasha © Supplied Sasha suffered in her kennel after she broke her leg during her first trial race at West Lothian's former Armadale track. When her trainer took her to the vet two days later, Sasha's leg was so swollen and inflamed that it was impossible for the vet to assess the extent of her injuries. The trainer wanted to have Sasha euthanised – it was cheaper than the cost of treatment and rehoming – but the vet convinced the trainer to surrender her to a rescue charity. Sasha was taken in by Jacqueline Brown and her partner Scott in Fife. They had three other greyhounds before Sasha and have since fostered another four. While she now lives in a loving home, the injury has left Sasha with life-long challenges, and she still receives ongoing treatment. When charity Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation (Sage) officially formed in April 2019, Sasha became the face of its first campaign which sought to end greyhound racing in Scotland. Its petition has gone on to become the most signed in Scottish history. Sasha is also known to greet any nervous dog she encounters with a kiss on the nose and sticks by their side until they settle. Jaqueline, who is secretary of Sage, said: 'Sasha's wee face has turned so grey over the past couple of years but that's the only hint she's almost 11. She is as silly and playful as ever! 'Sadly, she lost her big brother Bertie in January, they were firm friends and it was clear she missed him. When an emergency foster place was needed shortly after this, Sasha offered to share her couch. Enter Katie, who had just turned five and needed love and attention. From the start, Sasha helped Katie settle and now they snuggle up together at night. Sasha is keeping her new sister!' Poor animals are persecuted © Supplied Vet and broadcaster Dr Marc Abraham has described greyhound racing as archaic and exploitative. The campaigner, who received an OBE for services to animal welfare in 2021, said the 'only sensible and empathetic thing to do is ban it'. Dr Abraham, who trained at Edinburgh University and is the ambassador of Edinburgh Dog And Cat Home, added: 'There's really no other way that's ethical, moral or responsible if you're supporting animal welfare. 'The industry is desperately trying to protect something they don't know how to survive without. When money is involved, that's the motive, but the evidence speaks for itself with the fatalities and injuries and unwillingness to treat injured dogs. There is also a guaranteed surplus of rescue dogs flooding that sector.' Dr Abraham is also the secretariat and co-founder of the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group at Westminster. He added: 'If it was popular pets like pugs or cockapoos, this would never happen, but somehow these poor greyhounds have ended up as a persecuted breed. It has to stop. 'People say greyhounds enjoy running, but it's not running around at free will. They're being forced to run around an oval track that puts abnormal forces on joints and where there are collisions. 'Scotland has a huge opportunity to put an end to this cruel industry.'
