Scottish SPCA Animal Matters Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2020

Autumn/Winter 2020

On the front-line Doing our duty by animals throughout the pandemic

Pup-and-up Combatting the Puppy trade

Get Wise Delivering animal welfare education across Scotland

THE MAGAZINE FOR SCOTLAND’S ANIMAL CHAMPIONS

CONTENTS

PAGE 3 - WELCOME FROM OUR CEO PAGE 4 - NEWS IN BRIEF PAGE 8 - CARING THROUGH COVID PAGE 12 - GET WISE PAGE 15 - PUP AND UP PAGE 18 - GUEST Q&A PAGE 20 - WILDLIFE OVER WINTER PAGE 22 - LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN PAGE 24 - FOREVER FRIENDS PAGE 28 - A LETTER FROM SHARON PAGE 30 - 2020 CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

WELCOME FROM OUR CEO

December 2019 was our 180th birthday. We wanted to make 2020 a year like no other to mark it. In a way none of us could have imagined back in January, it has indeed been a year like no other.

all ages, we offer a vital service to

Every single penny of our funding

anyone or any animal who needs

is donated. I am grateful to you

it. We have continued to do our

for sticking by us this year. It

duty by animals all year round,

is unclear what the weeks and

and for that I am so, so grateful to

months ahead hold – and what

you, our members, volunteers and

impact coronavirus will have

wonderful teams.

on animal welfare. We, and the animals we care for, need you

This year we’ve urged people

more than ever.

We’ve endured for almost two

not to forget the animals,

centuries as the world has

and the response has been

The pandemic meant we were

completely changed around us. I

phenomenal. The vast majority

unable to produce our usual

truly believe this wonderful Society

of our supporters have stuck by

magazine in Spring. However,

is part of the fabric of Scotland.

us, enabling us to continue to be

we’re back with a completely

We play a vital role in every

on the frontline of animal rescue.

revamped, bumper edition

community across the country.

I appreciate those who had to

jam-packed with news, features

Whether rescuing animals, working

cancel their support will have done

and information on what we have

with owners to help them care for

so with a heavy heart, likely due

been up to all year.

their pets or educating people of

to circumstances out with their control.

Kirsteen Campbell Chief Executive

Inside, you’ll find out how we’re using your valuable support to build a better Scotland for all animals.

Thank you for being an animal champion.

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

NEWS IN BRIEF

MOMENTOUS LEGAL REFORMS FOR ANIMAL WELFARE The Animals and Wildlife (Scotland)

As the Bill passed, there was

Bill received unanimous cross-

also a commitment to review

party support in Holyrood back

wildlife powers in Scotland. We

in June. The legislation includes

believe we can play a vital role

a raft of new reforms which we

in tackling wildlife crime, and

believe will be game-changing for

would welcome the opportunity

all animals in Scotland.

to do so. A recent survey showed 64% of Scots think we should

After years of campaigning by us, our partners, and thousands of animal lovers nationwide, the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed a new law which will transform animal welfare in Scotland.

Every day, we see first-hand how

have the ability to investigate

legislation lets animals down. We

crimes against any animal.

have long championed the need for many of the reforms included in this new Bill. Hopefully, harsher sentences will deter people from committing acts of cruelty and ensure the punishment fits the crime for the worst offences, such as puppy farming and animal fighting.

WHATS NEW? The maximum sentence for the worst animal cruelty or wildlife crimes will be up to five years and/or an unlimited fine.

Animals involved in legal proceedings can be rehomed after three weeks, rather than waiting on a lengthy court case to conclude. Animals involved in such situations spent an average of 203 days in our care in 2019 – at a cost of £650,000.

Implementing ‘Finn’s Law’, which gives greater protection to the service animals who protect us.

Fixed penalty notices for lesser offences.

A licensing system to address the mass slaughter of mountain hares.

A licensing system to ensure animal sanctuaries and rehoming organisations meet high standards.

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

CONFUSION WITH THE RSPCA A survey revealed almost 1 in 4

The poll also showed 16% of

Scots confuse us with the RSPCA,

people believe the RSPCA rescue

who do amazing work in England

animals in Scotland.

and Wales only. 25% of those surveyed said they thought we

We work closely with the RSPCA

were a part of the RSPCA. This

on key UK-wide animal welfare

could mean that, of the 200,000

issues such as puppy farming.

people who called our animal helpline in 2019, 50,000 do not know we are an independent

1 in 4 Scots

charity.

LOTS OF POUNDS FOR PAWS!

This August, we ran our annual Pound for Paws fundraiser. The event, which asks people to walk, jog or run a minimum of 30km in a month for animals in need, saw over 360 animal lovers take part.

Backed by Olympian Laura Muir, participants covered more than 15,000km! Among those taking part were humans, dogs and even a

Over the month of August, participants travelled the same distance as Pitlochry to Perth …in Australia!

couple of dinosaurs. A special thanks must also go to CALA Homes who provided £6,000 of sponsorship support for the event.

In total, over £40,000 was raised – making it our most successful Pound for Paws event ever!

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

ANIMAL FIGHTER SNARED

A man involved in dog fighting was given a ban and a community payback order after we received intelligence he was breaking the law.

A man who cruelly trained his

fighting. Davidson had videos

hope they can be rehomed and

four dogs to bait wild animals was

showing his dogs attacking foxes

they will get a chance to be normal

handed a five-year ban on owning

and posing with injured and dead

pets living happy lives.

dogs and 160-hour community

animals.

payback order for animal welfare offences.

Animal fighting is sadly far more The accused admitted he had

common in Scotland than many

not registered his dogs, who all

people think. We’ve brought

Martin Davidson plead guilty

had nasty scars around the face

numerous sadistic individuals

to failing to provide veterinary

and head, with a vet. None had

involved in it to justice, with prison

treatment for an injured dog

received any medical attention.

sentences and bans handed out.

and training his dogs for animal

The dogs are in our care and we

BAN FOR DOG NEGLECT Following our investigation, a man was convicted of badly neglecting two dogs in his care and hit with a fine and a ban on owning canines.

Andrew William McPherson was

bones and ribs were visible. Their

given a five-year ban on owning

severely overgrown nails were

dogs and a £200 fine for failing to

causing them lots of discomfort.

provide a nutritionally adequate

When our inspector visited, some

diet and veterinary treatment for

dog food was accidentally spilled

female German Shepherd Zara and

on the floor. Zara and Bobo were

male crossbreed Bobo.

so hungry they started fighting over it.

Zara and Bobo’s living conditions were dirty and cluttered, with piles

Under the expert care of our

of litter on the floor.

animal care team, Zara and Bobo recovered and have both gone on

The dogs were severely underweight and both their hip

to loving new homes.

“five-year ban on owning dogs and a £200 fine”

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

FOX UNDER THE BONNET

A baby fox had a lucky escape after we rescued it from a car engine back in April.

A member of the public called us

The promise of a square meal was

wild, where he belongs, with some

after spotting the fox’s head when

all it took to lure the hungry cub

other orphaned foxes we saved.

they lifted the bonnet. Thankfully,

out. He spent four months at our

the car had not been used for

National Wildlife Rescue Centre,

In 2019, we cared for over 50 foxes.

three days and the cub was lucky

where our tireless wildlife experts

Many of these were orphans who

he was in there at a time when

provided round-the-clock care.

would not have survived in the

people were travelling much less due to the pandemic.

wild on their own at such a In late August, the fox was old

young age.

enough to be released back to the

DAREDEVIL LAMBS

In the space of a few days, we rescued not one but two daredevil lambs!

A lamb on the Isle of Lewis became

ewe saw her baby was safe, she

stuck in a cave behind fast-flowing

stranded on a cliff-side as it had

began to climb back up the

water. After wading through

hurt its legs. Mum did not want

cliff-side.

freezing water, the lamb was

to abandon it and, thankfully,

taken back to safe ground and

Hebrides Mountain Rescue Team

At Calderglen Country Park, our

helped us to rescue it. Once the

team had to rappel down to a lamb

in to our care.

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

CARING THROUGH COVID-19

In spite of a global pandemic, we’ve continued to do our duty by animals. Through these unprecedented times, we have been on the frontline of animal welfare work.

coronavirus, the roles of animals

some way to run, and we believe

in our lives has never been more

our role in connecting people with

important.

animals, protecting animals from

Animals make us happy.

got a chance to breathe from the

“At the beginning of lockdown, we

onslaught of threats it faces, our

had to adapt to a situation none of

inspectors, animal rescue officers,

us has ever experienced before. As

animal care teams and vets were

Scotland’s animal welfare charity,

still needed.

we had a duty to fulfil and we have

Whether it’s the dog who loyally follows us around, the cat who rests on our lap or even the wild animals who treat our gardens as their own, they put a smile on our faces. This year, as Scotland and the rest of the world has been turned upside down by

harm and providing vital support And whilst many people got to

to pet owners will be more vital

spend more quality time with

than ever.

their pets and nature and wildlife

managed to do that all year long, Our Chief Executive Kirsteen

protecting our staff, the people

Campbell said “The true economic

we support and rehome to and, of

impact of coronavirus still has

course, animals.”

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

ON THE FRONT LINE The severe restrictions meant we were unable to rehome from mid-March until the end of May. We had hundreds of animals who were ready to be rehomed, and we wanted to get them in to one as quickly as possible. So, for the first time ever, we launched an emergency fostering scheme which allowed us to get over 260 animals out of our centres on a temporary basis. Over 70 were permanently adopted by their fosterers.

Whilst we could not rehome, we worked on putting in place an online rehoming system which would allow people to apply to adopt safely whilst adhering to Government guidelines. Since it launched in May, we have been able to rehome faster than we were in 2019.

As well as benefitting the individual animals, the fostering scheme freed up space in anticipation of any

Over 260 Animals fostered 70 permanently rehomed rise in abandonments due to the economic impact of the pandemic. Thankfully, this has not materialised in Scotland yet.

However, our inspectors and animal rescue officers are still in high demand. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve responded to an average of over 140 reports of animals in need every single day. Our animal helpline fielded almost 120,000 calls in the first half of the year, too. As well as taking reports of animals in need, they provided support to people concerned about being able to care for their animals. Our fundraising team took the time to call hundreds of our isolated and vulnerable supporters to make they are coping well. In spite of the pandemic, our frontline teams have been just as busy over the summer as they are in a typical year.

We expect animal welfare issues to come up off the back of the pandemic, such as a rise in abandonments, separation anxiety for pets bought in lockdown and issues with socialisation due to restrictions.

We stand ready to help animals and pet owners - who need us.

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE LIVINGROOM Sadly, our free education programme has had to be scaled back as we are unable to visit schools. Up until mid-March, we had already visited almost 50,000 school children and the bookings we had to cancel meant missing out on the chance to visit as many as 40,000 more.

Not to rest on our laurels, our Education team quickly developed a suite of animal welfare learning resources which were made available for free on our website. These education packs, designed to help parents and carers who were home-schooling whilst providing

some important knowledge on an-

We have worked as hard as we

imals for kids, were used by some

possibly can to be there for people

teachers too. Over 6,000

and animals who need us all year.

of the packs were downloaded

Kirsteen says: “We play a vital role

before the end of the 2019/20

at the heart of every communi-

academic year.

ty in Scotland and we are going nowhere. Whatever challenges

Of course, not everyone can access

are thrown our way, our inspira-

online resources and that’s why we

tional frontline workers will do

teamed up with Barnardo’s, Police

everything they can to help.

Scotland and others to get 1,000 printed resource packs delivered

“And the work we have been able

to families across edinburgh. The

to do this year has only been pos-

packs, which went to families

sible because our members have

across Edinburgh and the

stood by us through these turbu-

Lothians, were warmly received

lent times. This support is critical

and we are now looking at how

and, from the bottom of my heart,

we can do more of this in future,

I thank each and every person who

pandemic or not.

believes in our cause.”

Online

education packs downloaded 1k printed for those without online access

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

FANTASTIC FOSTERERS

Our emergency foster programme helped get hundreds of animals in to loving homes whilst we were unable to let people adopt from our rescue centres. Here, fosterer Grace talks about what it was like to foster Border collie pup Beni.

“I run a boarding kennels and

“He has come on leaps and bounds

couldn’t tell he’d even had a head

already had 12 other dogs before

since we first welcomed him in to

tilt!

fostering Beni, so you could say

our home. At the Scottish SPCA

I have a house-full! The rest of

centre, Beni had a head tilt and the

“I live on a working farm and Beni

the gang were so welcoming of

vets were struggling to determine

instinctively wanted to run and

Beni and he settled in brilliantly.

the cause. In the months he’s

herd my two lambs. He is now a

So well, in fact, that we couldn’t

spent at our home, his neck has

few months old and he is a great

possibly imagine life without him

strengthened to the point where

assistant in caring for the lambs.”

so we rehomed him permanently.

at his most recent check-up the vet

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

GET WISE We’ve refreshed our education programme to help people get wise about welfare when it comes to animals.

When it comes to education,

we do. Why? Because the best way

more virtual learning, and we’ve

the Dalai Lama once said “we

to prevent cruelty to animals is

teamed up with MyAko to offer

must not forget to educate their

to encourage kindness and show

free e-learning resources

hearts”. But what does that

people that the strength of the

online to all.

mean? For us, it means education

human-animal bond is formidable.

isn’t just about learning

Every person who gains an

Our Head of Education, Policy &

something new, but gaining an

understanding of animal welfare

Research, Gilly Mendes Ferreira,

understanding and empathy for

is another who is unlikely to be

says the new programme will

the subject you are discovering.

mistreat an animal, intentionally

ensure we can continue to engage

or not.

with people about animal welfare.

It is largely accepted that a

“The coronavirus pandemic may

good education can make all

That’s why we refresh our

keep us out of classrooms and

the difference to someone’s life

education offering every so often.

community centres for the time

chances and experiences, and that

This Autumn, we are delighted

being, but Animal WISE will ensure

applies to animal welfare too.

to unveil Animal WISE, our new

we can take learning in to anyone’s

For over a century, education has

educational programme for people

household.

been at the foundation of what

of all ages. Animal WISE offers

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

GET WISE

“Animals can play a vital role in people’s lives and we want to support children’s health and wellbeing; enhance their skills when it comes to literacy and numeracy; offer innovative ways to engage with STEM and inspire future careers.”

“Through our use of robotics,

of animal welfare and be inspired

Plus, we work with the University

games, quizzes, real stories

to make a difference through

of Edinburgh to study how our

and role play, we believe this

engaging with various educational

programmes are received and the

programme will inspire people

activities.

impact they have.

animal champions. We can nurture

Animal WISE replaces Prevention

We have published research that

compassion, empathy and a

through Education, our

shows by teaching animal welfare

greater appreciation for animal

programme which regularly

you can have a significant impact

welfare in Scotland.

engaged with up to 250,000 school

on increasing a child’s knowledge

children every year over the past

about animals, positive attitudes

“We want to provide unique

decade. Our education work fits

towards animals and influence a

opportunities that empower pupils

with Scotland’s Curriculum for

child’s belief that animals have

to be pioneers within their schools

Excellence so there is a wealth of

feelings.

and have a positive impact on the

tools that can be used by teachers

wider community. Animal WISE

from early years through to

Animal WISE aims to encourage

encourages pupils of all ages and

secondary school.

people from any generation or

from all walks of life to become

abilities to work together, increase

background and of any ability to

their knowledge and awareness

learn more about animal welfare.

The new Animal WISE package

We want to provide unique

also encompasses our Animal

opportunities that empower pupils

Guardians programme, working

to be pioneers within their schools

with children who are showing

and have a positive impact on the

behaviours towards animals that

wider community.

are a cause of concern. Now in its third year, the Animal Guardians service is now available across most of Scotland and has worked with over 140 children.

107 WANT TO KNOW MORE? Visit scottishspca.org/animal-wise or email education@scottishspca.org

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

PUP-AND-UP

Demand for puppies has soared during the pandemic but supply from responsible breeders has fallen. Coronavirus has created a perfect storm for dodgy puppy dealers to flourish.

Our Special Investigations Unit leads Operation Delphin, the UK-wide partnership working to disrupt and stop the puppy trade.

As we make inroads in to this multi-million pound, greed-fuelled industry, the criminals involved keep

Do you think you could tell the difference between a responsible puppy breeder and an irresponsible one?

That’s the question we put to Scots back in June – and just 35% of people felt confident they could tell one from the other.

finding new ways to try and dupe people in to buying badly bred pups. So, it is no surprise so many struggle to separate the good from the bad.

Our Chief Superintendent, Mike Flynn, says restrictions from coronavirus have not halted the sale of dogs. “Many badly bred pups sold in Scotland come from Ireland. The

trade died down back in March

one had terrible respiratory issues

and April when we were at the

and had to be put to sleep. This

height of lockdown, but there is no

poor pup is just one of thousands

doubt that since then it has been

who has perished in the name of

as active as in any other year.”

profit.”

“As ever, we have been keeping a

“We will continue to lead the fight

close eye on things and seized 13

against the trade, but it will take

dogs from a dealer at Cairnryan

a massive effort from the public,

port in May. A dozen survived, but

breeders and other animal welfare organisations to stop this. Without the demand, the supply disappears. People should look to adopt and, if that’s not possible, do lots of research and buy responsibly. It may seem like a mountain to climb to eradicate the trade, but I’m in no doubt we can do it.”

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

MAKING A DIFFERENCE We don’t want to rescue puppies

And we have managed to rescue

from these conditions – we want

and rehome hundreds of puppies

nationwide network

these conditions never to exist in

who otherwise may not have

of responsible breeders

the first place. That’s why we are

made it. Whilst our mantra is

who do things right, giving

taking action to make it as difficult

‘adopt, don’t shop’, we are also

buyers peace of mind.

as possible for traders to operate.

working with good breeders to

Years of campaigning has seen the

ensure those who want to buy a

Mike says: “Many people operating

Scottish Parliament increase the

puppy can do so safely.

in the puppy trade are morally

maximum sentence for the worst

bankrupt with a history of criminal

animal cruelty offences to five

Our Scottish SPCA Assured Puppy

activity. I think it says a lot about

years and/or an unlimited fine. Our

Breeder Scheme recently launched

the Society and how hard we work

investigations have helped HMRC

and we hope to build this up to

that we are bringing some of these

recover over £1.5m in unpaid tax.

provide people with access to a

individuals to justice.”

Worried you are buying from a puppy dealer?

Look out for these warning signs

You may be rushed in to parting with cash in exchange for a puppy.

They may try to fob you off by saying the puppy’s mum is at the vets, asleep, or out for a walk. If the mum isn’t there, then the puppy wasn’t bred there.

If mum is around, she should be interacting with the pups. An unrelated adult dog will not.

Concerns you raise about the puppy’s health may be labelled ‘normal for the breed’. But puppy farming causes major and, sometimes, deadly health issues.

They won’t have paperwork or certificates for vaccinations, worming, results for health tests and microchipping (which is a legal requirement).

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

THE KEY FINDINGS FROM OUR SURVEY

2x The percentage of Scots who think it is unsafe to buy a puppy online – but traffic to purchase on the web has never been higher.

Twice as many people think it is very important they get a puppy right away when they have purchased it compared to not important at all. With a responsible breeder, it will typically be weeks or months before a pup goes to their new home. Dealers will let buyers have the pup right away.

Just over a third of people said they would not be confident in telling the difference between a puppy dealer and a responsible breeder.

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

GUEST Q&A: JOHN DARBYSHIRE, ECOLOGIST

Meet John Darbyshire, an independent ecological consultant and lecturer at Edinburgh University. John acts as an expert witness in cases involving wildlife crime and has surveyed the whole of the River Clyde for badger setts – an 800-mile walk to investigate connectivity and meta-populations!

How does what you do help the Scottish SPCA protect animals?

I work with the Society’s Special Investigations Unit, who are experts in bringing animal welfare cases to court. The Scottish SPCA relies on assistance from specialists such as vets and the police. My expertise is in mammals and in particular badgers, and my input contributes to prosecutions which helps to save the lives of badgers, dogs and other species too. Successful law enforcement creates caution and fear for criminals. The more we can bring these people to court, the more we will win over the hearts and minds of humans and push for a more proportionate understanding of the natural world. The Scottish SPCA is a welfare organisation and it exists to educate the public to respect all animal life and in doing so respect the whole environmental network which supports us all. I hope I play a part in this effort.

When you assist the Scottish SPCA in an investigation, what does that typically involve?

I am in regular and close contact with the Special Investigations Unit. We’ve got a well-established working relationship. When they investigate criminal activity, the team make a judgement call on whether they need help based on their own expertise and the benefit an expert may bring in terms of securing a successful prosecution. A call is made and I step in to help. The team do all the ground work such as police liaison and obtaining warrants. I give advice on how I can best assist. We all work together to achieve what we need to. My role is often to identify whether the target animal is a protected species such as a badger, and that the location of the incident is a badger sett in ‘current use’. ‘Current use’ is the phrase used in the legislation, so it is vital this is established at a crime scene or a case involving a badger could fail.

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

GUEST Q&A: JOHN DARBYSHIRE, ECOLOGIST Talk us through what it’s like to carry out a species-specific survey.

Surveys for protected species differ. For example, a water vole survey is very different from a badger survey and the surveyor must focus and what we call diagnostics. These are key, tell signs for whatever species we are looking for.

With badgers, I start with the sett and tunnel morphology (their structure). The morphology is checked with a torch to see if it has the characteristic shape of badger, as opposed to, for example a fox or a rabbit. Badgers can dig a sett and foxes can live it, so next I search for badger hairs which are nearly always around a sett entrance. These are diagnostic as they are usually approximately 10cm long, stiff and rough when rolled between finger and thumb.

The SIU team survey too and when out in the field they insert a flag at what they have identified as a diagnostic for me to check. The more diagnostics we find, the more secure the judgement that the location is a sett and in current use. Other diagnostics include prints, paths, bedding and bedding balls, dung pits, and scratching posts. At a recent case a defendant argued that a fox earth was across the river and that he had been digging at it when his dogs broke free, crossed the river and entered the sett. To counter such claims, I survey a wide area and record all the mammal burrows I find. My evidence in court refuted his claim, strengthening the prosecution’s case.

What changes have you seen in Scotland’s ecological landscape during your career In 1994 I organised a conference aimed at reintroducing pine marten to Clyde Valley woodlands. Delegates said it was best left to the pine marten to find its own way. This year, they have arrived!

This natural re-colonisation is down to increased legal protection. We need to repair Scotland’s natural landscape by planting trees on a massive scale, going further than anything currently being proposed. We need to reconnect fragmented habitats and make crossing roads non-hazardous for all species. I believe we need to reintroduce wolves, bears, lynx and boar. Our uplands are in a great need of a change in management.

The aim is to create functioning and self-sustaining landscape to maximise biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Things are changing, but as half of all global biodiversity has disappeared in my lifetime we need to accelerate change now.

Why do you think it is important we protect nature and wildlife?

Humans are wholly reliant on and are part of nature. Everything we have and need is provided by it: clean air, clean water, healthy soil, buildings, machines, fuels, pollination, and everything else - including us, comes from it. If we do not protect and enhance the natural world, we are all in great trouble. We urgently need educated so we can see the natural world not as it is, but as it needs to be.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your work?

I am an immensely privileged ecologist who roams Scotland searching for species, everyone a diamond. I have accidently extrapolated my childhood pleasure of countryside roaming and turned it into my job. I am able to text a radio programme when hearing bird song to let them know the habitat where the interview took place by linking the song, to the bird, to its habitat. I am able to rebuild thousands of years of landscape change by interpreting the post glacial landscapes; and to see our ancient lost forests and mega fauna.

I surveyed for badgers for years with an individual who announced: “all this survey work and we never see the animal”. A penny dropped for me and I said: “I have spent so many hours of my life watching badgers that I can see them just as if they were here.” As each year goes by, I make more connections from rock to brock and the knowledge that learning is endless, and that I know so little keeps me going.

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

WILDLIFE OVER WINTER With a change in seasons, comes a change in the types of wildlife we care for. As we head from Autumn in to Winter, we usually end up looking after dozens of seals.

Most of the UK’s population of grey seals can be found in Scottish waters. In early autumn, pregnant greys return to breeding sites to give birth. It’s common to spot seals on Scotland’s beaches as we have so much coast.

Grey seal pups have a fluffy white coat. A mum will leave her pup on a beach whilst she goes off to forage for food in the water.

WILDLIFE OVER WINTER What should you do if you see a seal?

If you come across a seal on a beach, keep a safe distance. Seals can be startled by dogs, so if you are walking a canine companion please keep them on a lead under close control.

A seal pup with a fluffy white coat won’t be able to swim. In some cases, a pup may have shed their coat. Don’t disturb them. Instead, monitor them.

Under no circumstances should you try and guide the seal back to the water. The reason a seal pup is left on the beach whilst mum forages is because they cannot swim. Even an adult seal which is injured or distressed could die from exhaustion if forced off of land. Sadly, we have seen this happen more than once.

you can see obvious signs of injury such as bleeding or glued together eyes, call us right away. That’s a seal in need.

What happens then?

If we take a seal to our National Wildlife Rescue Centre, they’ll get expert care and treatment until they are old enough and strong enough to return to sea.

We have a purpose-built seal unit and outdoor pools to help them build those sea-flippers! We feed seal in a way which shows them how they’d hunt prey in the wild, maximising the chances of a successful reintegration back in to a seal colony.

Want to find out more about wildlife?

Visit www.scottishspca. org/wildlifewise

When should you get our help?

If there is no sign of mum returning after four hours, give our animal helpline a call. Whilst we want people to monitor a seal, if

KEY NUMBERS:

192 £500 300kg

The number of seals we cared for in 2019 – a record high at our National Wildlife Rescue Centre!

The average cost of caring for seals from arrival to release.

A fully grown adult male grey seal can weigh over 300kg.

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN

Doggy difficulties? Dog behaviour expert, Alan Grant, explains how you can help your dog cope if you won’t be at home as much.

Is your dog struggling to adjust to life after lockdown?

Boredom and separation anxiety can be displayed in different ways. Here are some signs to look out for: • • • •

Chewing or scratching shoes, furniture or any item that is not one of their toys; Having an accident in the house; Constant barking, crying or howling when you are not there; Loss of appetite

Separation anxiety Unfortunately, there is no one

individually. Speak to a vet or a

you have spoken to a professional.

solution to treat separation

reputable behaviourist to work out

This can sometimes make

anxiety. What works for one

a programme to help your pet.

separation anxiety worse as your

animal might not work for another.

dog is confined to a small space.

Each pet will display different

Do not lock your pet in a crate

symptoms and must be treated

when you are not at home unless

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN Exercises to help stop separation anxiety developing There are some steps you can take to help your dog cope when you might not be at home as much. To get them used to being away from you, you can: • •

• • • •

Leave them home alone when you go out; Spend time in another room away from your dog or use a barrier such as a puppy gate to keep them separated from you; Spend time in the garden with your dog inside; Create a safe space where your dog feels comfortable with their bed, familiar smells and toys; Hide treats around the house to keep your dog occupied when you are out; Provide them with fun activities such as chews, safe favourite toys, Kongs or activity feeders that will keep them mentally stimulated without you.

You will have to repeat these

behaviours such as barking or

this will cause even more distress

exercises to get your pet used to

whining, these could be signs of

and could make behavioural issues

being alone so it will require time

stress at being away from you.

worse.

and patience. If your dog exhibits

Don’t shout or punish your pet as

TOP TIPS

•

Don’t leave the TV or radio on as you have no control over what will come on, such as something

that may cause even more stress such as fireworks or an explosion. Instead, put on a playlist you

have created yourself or look into our Paws.Play.Relax CD which is scientifically proven to reduce

stress. Or, you can record your own voice reading a book which will be familiar and comforting to

your dog.

•

Crates are not a fix for separation anxiety. Do not leave your dog in a crate without a lot of training

and work first. If a dog isn’t used to a crate and is left alone, this can cause it to be even more

anxious and can make the problem worse. This should be done in micro-stages where you leave the

dog for short periods and then return but this should involve professional advice.

•

Invest in a pet cam. As many behaviourists and trainers are not working just now, a pet cam will

provide invaluable information for the behaviourist to see how the dog exhibits separation anxiety

behaviours. Do not deliberately leave your pet alone just to be able to show the trainer. Each time

you leave your pet, put the camera on.

•

Get a trainer that specialises in separation anxiety. This can be a very serious issue in dogs and the

best way to tackle it is to get the help of a professional.

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

FOREVER FRIENDS We rehome hundreds of rescues every month. Here’s how just a few have found happiness in their new homes…

Ebony the Shetland pony came in to our care due to neglect when she was pregnant.

pony who can also have his cheeky moments!

We were so happy (and a bit tearful) that Andrea and her family fell in love with Maui and took him

Maui was born in April

home at the end of July. Maui has

2019 and was the first

been renamed Cash as the family

Shetland foal born at our

have a horse called Tango so they

Aberdeen Centre. Our

are now a proper duo – Tango

team absolutely adored

and Cash!

Maui, so much so that

Cash x

they celebrated his 1st

They absolutely adore Cash and

birthday with a party. He

he has earned his nickname ‘little

even had his own home

man’. He’s just as cheeky and

made horse friendly

confident as ever and loves to give

birthday cake!

his new family a groom when he gets his neck scratched. It’s safe to

Maui turned into a

say that Cash has found his loving

really confident loving

forever home and has settled in beautifully.

Rocky was abandoned in a park behind our centre in Lanarkshire. His sad expression captured the hearts of people around the world and our dedicated team.

He was also reactive with other dogs so he needed some behavioural training.

Over lockdown we were over the moon that Rocky found his forever home with Jonny. He tells us that Rocky loves his toys

As he was so nervous, our team

and going for long walks

had to work hard to bring him

and then a snuggle up

out of his shell. Rocky was with

together after.

us for five months and our expert

Rocky is a big softie and

team worked hard with him over

adores his new home

this time giving him care and

with Jonny where he

rehabilitation.

gets all the affection he deserves.

Rocky

x

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

FOREVER FRIENDS

Animals have played such an important role to so many of us over lockdown.

quiet and hid under the bed, but once she realised she was in her forever home and wasn’t going anywhere she soon grew in confidence. Now, they love

Mimi found her forever

her sassiness!

home just over a month ago and has settled in

Mimi is in to everything and shows

amazingly.

a new side to her personality every day. She also likes to headbutt

Mimi x

Her new owners Claudine

her new owners for attention!

and Ian fell in love with

She loves her garden and has

Mimi’s beautiful face and

just gotten brave enough to start

tiny paws when they

venturing out.

first saw her on our website.

Claudine and Ian are so happy they were able to rehome Mimi. They

Troy was in our care for just over two years from May 2018.

When they got her

love her to bits and she has made

home she was very

such a big difference to their lives.

Everyone who meets him falls in love with him right away.

He has a beautiful nature and is great fun and he’s made

He is a nice big lad with an equally

himself at home on the

big heart. He can be a little

family bed!

nervous when he initially meets someone new, but once he knows you he is a gentle giant and you get the feeling he will be your friend for life.

In August, Troy found his forever home with Lesley and family. He has been having regular sessions with our expert behaviourist Alan Grant and is settling in nicely.

Troy

x

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

Your wishes for the future

If you wish for a future where animals in need are always taken care of and animal cruelty in Scotland is a thing of the past, then you have something very much in common with us. Together we can work together to make your wish a reality.

We promise we’ll always be here striving for a better future for animals. By leaving a gift in your Will to us, you can leave a legacy to be proud of and it will ensure your love and support for animals will continue beyond your own

“We decided to leave legacies in our wills to provide much needed support for the work done by Scottish SPCA once we are gone. We are long-term members of the Society, and want to see it continue to care for Scotland’s animals for many years to come.”

Paul and Liz Soutar, Scottish SPCA members

lifetime.

For more information and to request your free information pack 03000 999 999 (opt 4) www.scottishspca.org/legacy Legacies@scottishspca.org

Protect your pet with Forever Care

It’s something that doesn’t bear thinking about – who will look after your beloved pet if you are no longer around?

Forever Care is a free service which will give you peace of mind that no matter what, your pet will be well looked after should the unthinkable happen.

For more information or to request a free information pack visit: www.scottishspca.org/ forevercare

Scottish SPCA |

Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity

Dearest Animal Friend .

It’s Sharon Comrie here

g these strange times?

How are you doing durin

Animal Guru

t on others, my plans were pu ny ma so e Lik r? te let is writing th ars working You may wonder why I’m lier this year. After 47 ye ear me ho om fr g in rk f wo my new role as hold when I found mysel e centres, I’d just started scu re r ou g gin na ma d an ars young! hands on with animals song’ now that I’m 61 ye an ‘sw my it l cal I . ort the ips Head of Partnersh u who so generously supp yo e lik le op pe e th all t e ou le don’t have access to th Anyhow, I got thinking ab op pe ny ma at th are aw also greatly g some Scottish SPCA and I was ssages, so I started makin me dia me l cia so d an s ail r em ntacted by digital world to receive ou given permission to be co ve ha o wh se ur co of e phone calls (only to thos about a pet, phone). if you need some advice ow kn me let do ase ple t like ed tish SPCA? Or would jus ot If we haven’t already chatt Sc e th at rk wo r ou t t more abou in touch as would you like to find ou ase don’t hesitate to get ple n aso re e th r ve ate one. Wh to have chat over the ph u.

I’d love to hear from yo have laughed new shades to my life. We ny ma d de ad s ha far ers so to ef is to when will Eastend be Every person I’ve spoken rn co od go w ho om fr t everything red! and cried, blethered abou t a living room post box in pa to a ide od go a s it’ even if be back on the telly and two. lped brighten up a day or he e I’v pe ho d an d ha e the chats I’v s cross with me I’ve been so humbled by ople, not one person wa pe g’ in er est ‘p t ou ab ied Despite being a little worr phoning. celebrate your speak to you they would ly on uld co e car r ou in sick, injured, I know that if the animals ich helps animals that are wh t or pp su ur yo r fo u kindness and thank yo agile beyond belief. orphaned, abused and fr to do get in touch. All you need to ate sit he t n’ do ase ple rson and ely You truly are a special pe a call from Sharon. My lov est qu re d an 9 99 9 99 0 00 back promptly. is call our Helpline on 03 d I’ll make sure I call you an er mb nu d an me na ur colleagues will take yo y safe and well.

In the meantime, please sta 9pm.

Love Sharon x of the year from 7am ys da 5 36 en op is e in P.S. Our Helpl

Get a unique pawtrait of your pet and help care for Scotland’s animals, but there’s a catch.

The ‘artists’ are staff and volunteers of the Scottish SPCA who are a whole lot better at caring for animals than they are at drawing them.

GRAPH OF Y OU

PET

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So while your dachshund might end up looking more sausage than dog, the money donated will help care for animals across Scotland and we’ll hopefully put a smile on your face too.

A T O TAKE P

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Are you looking for gifting inspiration? We have a wonderful selection of gifts available for animal enthusiasts offering the purr-fect choice to suit all tastes.

Every purchase made on our online store will go towards helping animals across Scotland.

VISIT SCOTTISHSPCA.ORG/SHOP TO VIEW OUR FULL RANGE

Supplied by

Organic Cotton Clothing Choose from our collection of sustainable, vegan friendly products which are made from certified organic cotton in renewable energy powered factories.

Through our partnership with ‘Teemill’ we will receive 25% of every item sold which will enable us to continue our vital work to protect Scotland’s animals.

Prices from £14

Virtual Gifts We have a large selection of virtual gifts allowing you to help us look after thousands of animals each year.

Everyday needs of our animals with everything from a Dog’s Dinner to an Animal Rescue Run.

Prices from £15

Dogs Dinner

Puppy Love

Cat Nap

Animal

The gift recipient will receive a personalised certificate.

Rescue Run

Hoppily

Ever Aft e

r

Seal Sanctuary

Rabbit Run

de

u Cattit

Horse S

Hedge Hugs

helter

Sponsor a Space Ongoing care of our animals with everything from a dog’s

Rabbit Hutch

Hedgehog

closure

n Horse E

Unit

kennel with cosy bed and blankets to a stimulating otter enclosure.

Prices from £30

Otter Enclosure

al

Small Anim

Bird Unit

The gift recipient will receive a personalised certificate.

n

Seal Pe

Dog Kennel

VISIT SCOTTISHSPCA.ORG/SHOP TO VIEW OUR FULL RANGE

Cat Unit

Scottish SPCA

Animal Welfare Tartan

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BO DE A

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by

LAMBSWOOL SCARF & VIROBLOCK FACE MASK BUNDLE - £35

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We’ve created our very own Animal Welfare tartan, so now you can look good and support animals in Scotland with this beautiful scarf or face mask.

100% profit funds our vital work Our one-of-a-kind lambswool tartan scarf is the perfect unisex gift to show you care. It also pairs beautifully with our viroblock face mask.

WITH FREE DRAW STRING TARTAN CARRY BAG

Viroblock face mask £12.50 Lambswool Tartan scarf £25

VISIT SCOTTISHSPCA.ORG/SHOP TO GET YOURS

ULTIBUY