Saving Animals in Scotland - Spring/Summer 2019

SAVING ANIMALS IN SCOTLAND

Your Scottish SPCA magazine Spring/Summer 2019

Scotmid partnership

Born to be Wild

Robo Wunderkind

YOUR DONATIONS ARE SAVING LIVES! 03000 999 999 scottishspca.org

FUNDRAISING.

TAKE PART, HAVE FUN AND SAVE LIVES Kiltwalk, Aberdeen Edinburgh Marathon Festival

2 June 2019 25 & 26 May 2019

The Strathclyde Mutt Strut

2 June 2019

Forth Rail Bridge Abseil

9 June 2019

Tough Mudder, Dumfries & Galloway

15 & 16 June 2019

Men’s 10K, Glasgow

16 June 2019

Zip Slide the Clyde

22 June 2019

Great Scottish Walk & Run Festival, Edinburgh

30 June 2019

The Big Fun Run, Glasgow & Edinburgh

27 & 28 July 2019

Dog Jog, Edinburgh & Glasgow

27 & 28 July 2019

Kiltwalk, Dundee Pound for Paws

18 August 2019 September 2019

Pedal for Scotland

8 September 2019

Glencoe Marathon

8 September 2019

Sign up today and do something incredible for Scotland’s animals!

For more information please get in touch Call 03000 999 999 (option 4)

2

Email fundraising@scottishspca.org Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

Visit scottishspca.org/events

RESCUE & ENFORCE 44% increase in animals seized in Scotland

09

04

REHOME & RELEASE

YOUR SCOTTISH SPCA MAGAZINE

20 year ban for animal abuse 12

EDUCATE & PREVENT

We keep our costs as low as possible to ensure even more of your kind donations can be used to help defenceless animals in Scotland.

Championing improvements in animal welfare

This magazine, which keeps you up to date with the fantastic work taking place thanks to your support, costs just 45p to print and post. If you donate £5 a month, that’s less than 1% of your annual donations.

If you are a member of the Scottish SPCA, please note that our AGM will take place on Wednesday 12 June 2019. The time and venue will be confirmed on our website at a later date. Please visit scottishspca.org/about for updates

RECEIVE YOUR MAGAZINE VIA EMAIL INSTEAD Would you like to receive your magazine by email? It’s simple!

16

FUNDRAISING

You can have fun, raise funds and help save lives!

Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Kingseat Road, Halbeath, Dunfermline KY11 8RY 03000 999 999 | scottishspca.org |info@scottishspca.org Scottish Charity No. SC 006467

Fill out and send us the form supplied with this magazine.

Email membership@scottishspca.org

Design: Eddie Naper ISSN: 1360-8207

Please recycle this magazine

RESCUE & ENFORCE CONTACT US

/scottishspca

@scottishspca

scottishspca.org

Animal Helpline 03000 999 999

CAMPAIGNING FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO ANIMAL WELFARE LAW We continue to campaign for improvements to animal welfare legislation and we welcome the consultations set out by the Scottish Government.

The ambitions include harsher maximum sentencing for the most serious cases of animal cruelty, increasing the custodial sentence limit from twelve months to five years. There are plans to enforce stricter licensing for animal sanctuaries too.

We are also pleased there is support for rehoming animals involved in court cases more quickly. This will allow us to free up space in our centres and not suffer the financial burden of a prolonged court case. More importantly, it benefits the animal’s well-being and ability to adapt to a home environment.

In February, Emma Harper MSP lodged the Proposed Protection of Livestock

04

(Scotland) Bill regarding livestock worrying. Incidents reported to us have risen year on year since 2016.

Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn added: “We fully support Emma Harper MSP and the public consultation. This is an issue that we are constantly campaigning to raise awareness of and we are pleased this is now at a stage where it is being looked at in Parliament. Our animal helpline, rescue officers and inspectors are regularly contacted regarding livestock attacks and we welcome the opportunity this consultation creates to reduce these potentially devastating incidents.”

There is also a consultation on fireworks in Scotland which we fully support as each year we experience the devastating impact fireworks can have on animals.

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

RESCUE & ENFORCE

TWO YEAR BAN ON OWNING CATTLE Marshall Hay, a 78 year old man from Aberdeen, was sentenced to a two year ban on owning or keeping cattle in February for causing unnecessary suffering to three steers by failing to seek routine veterinary treatment for the overgrowth of their horns.

The three cattle mentioned in the case had ingrown horns of varying depths and severity. One had an ingrown right horn, protruding four inches into the sinus, creating a seven centimetre wide hole in his head.

The second was found to have both horns growing into the sides of his head.

The ingrown horn on the right had punctured the skin five centimetres, leaving a hole in which you could insert a finger. The horn on the left hand side

was also overgrown although not to such a bad extent.

The last also had overgrowth of his horns, with the left side growing round into his eye. The horn on the right was embedded into the soft tissue and once removed, was found to be piercing five centimetres into his head.

Sadly all three animals were put to sleep.

Prosecution is always a last resort for the Scottish SPCA and every effort was made to work with Hay prior to this.

However, the disregard for his animal’s welfare led us to having no choice.

Thanks to our supporters we can rescue animals from danger and distress. Your donations save lives and give animals a second chance.

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

05

RESCUE & ENFORCE

LIFETIME BAN AND 200 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE

We would like to see the current maximum jail sentence for animal abusers increased from 12 months to five years.

In January, Peter James Reid, 29, was given a lifetime ban and 200 hours’ community service for causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide for the animals in his care.

This resulted in the death of a brindle Staffordshire bull terrier called Russia.

Russia was found deceased inside a caravan - owned by Reid - with a Labrador and Staffordshire bull terrier cross, Flash, by his side, seeming to protect him.

Upon entering the caravan, the floor and soft furnishings were covered in faeces and urine and the smell was overpowering. There was an empty bowl but no sign of any food or water for the dogs.

Russia terrible suffering and for his body to get into this state would have taken three or four weeks.

Flash, an adult male, was given a body score condition of 1.5/5 by the vet and weighing 23kg when we recovered him.

We would expect a dog of his type to weigh between 28-40kg. His ribs were easily felt and he had no fat cover.

This was a truly heart-breaking case that could have easily been avoided with proper care.

The veterinary post mortem examination showed Russia was emaciated as a result of starvation and dehydration. This would have caused

06

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

RESCUE & ENFORCE

SOUTH LANARKSHIRE WOMAN BANNED AND FINED

The remaining animals were transported immediately to the vet and upon examination all were found to be emaciated and dehydrated.

Both dogs were given a body score of 2/5. Hulk had a very marked and generalised skin disease which appeared to have had very little treatment. Luka’s coat was in very poor condition and smelled strongly of urine.

Both cats had evidence of flea infestation.

In February, Mia Connor, 20, was given a five year ban on owning animals and ÂŁ600 fine for causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide for the animals in her care and failing to provide a suitably clean environment for the animals to live in.

Veterinary examination found this to be marked neglect over an extended period of time, for all of the animals, comprising deprivation of the most basic requirements for life, namely food and water.

This is a very sad case that could have easily been avoided with proper care.

The animals involved were a cat called Nemo, another named MJ and two dogs called Luka and Hulk.

Within the property there was an overpowering smell of faeces and urine and the whole house appeared to be strewn with rubbish.

While searching the house we discovered two vivariums with what appeared to be two deceased bearded dragons and a deceased gecko. There was no light, heat source or water in either vivarium. When trying to remove the reptiles, there was slight movement from one of the bearded dragons, Cheech, who was immediately taken for veterinary attention. He was found to have hypothermia and severe dehydration.

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

07

RESCUE & ENFORCE

#SAYNOTOPUPPYDEALERS Last spring we launched saynotopuppydealers.co.uk, which offers advice and information on the barbaric trade and how people can avoid the pitfalls of buying an illegally bred puppy.

Since its launch, we have received amazing support from people like you, with over 8,000 people signing the pledge to #SayNoToPuppyDealers, 80,000 visits to the site and backing from over 50 MSPs. As you know, we’ve been working hard to put an end to the illegal puppy trade which has a catastrophic impact on the lives of dogs and people across Scotland.

Our undercover special investigations unit spearhead Operation Delphin, a multiagency taskforce which works to disrupt the trade at the source.

08

Help us to continue to fight this ruthless trade and share the campaign on social media, sign the pledge and share it with you friends.

If you have concerns regarding a puppy dealer, walk away and report them to our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

REHOME & RELEASE REPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY

Animal Helpline 03000 999 999

If an animal is in danger or distress, please call our animal helpline on 03000 999 999

BORN TO BE WILD

series offered the Scottish public a fascinating insight in to this work.

Our ten part series, Born to be Wild, debuted on the flagship BBC Scotland channel in February. It’s a fascinating insight into the work of our passionate and dedicated team at our National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Clackmannanshire.

One of the memorable stories from the series were three badger cubs, Biscuit, Bourbon and Crumb, who were rehabilitated in the centre and released back into the wild together.

2018 was the busiest year to date for the wildlife centre. 9,861 animals were admitted last year including a record 7584 birds, 1,387 hedgehogs and 188 seals.

Our CEO Kirsteen Campbell, said: “To have a TV show airing at primetime on the new BBC Scotland channel has been incredibly exciting for us. The staff at our wildlife centre are unsung heroes who give absolutely everything to give thousands of wildlife creatures a second chance every year and the

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

09

REHOME & RELEASE

MEEKO THE RACCOON She was taken to our centre in Lanarkshire where all the staff fell in love with her curious and cheeky personality.

Nobody came forward after we appealed to the public to find out where Meeko had come from, but we did receive a lot of offers for places she could live. Some suitable, some not so much!

We successfully found a forever home for Meeko, a non-native raccoon that we rescued in November 2018.

A member of the public managed to contain her after she was spotted skulking around a farm in Liberton,.

Five Sisters Zoo in West Calder were keen to take Meeko and it was clear they could give her the best home possible as they have five other raccoons in their care.

After a successful introduction at the zoo, we are delighted to say Meeko settled in well with her new raccoon family and is spending most of her time with them in their underground burrows.

FLEDGLING SEASON 2018 was our busiest ever year for young birds. In early spring and summer our animal helpline received an average of around 140 calls a day regarding fledgling birds. This spike in calls led to over 420 baby birds being taken to our National Wildlife Centre in the first half of 2018 alone.

National Wildlife Rescue Centre manager Colin Seddon explains, “It’s understandable for people to be worried when they come across a young bird on the ground that appears clumsy and unable to fly. However, this is a vital part of the learning process.

“Any unfeathered bird found on the ground has most likely fallen from the nest and can be put back in carefully, wearing gloves.

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide if a baby bird is in need of help. Anyone who is concerned should call our animal helpline on 03000 999 999 or visit our website for more information.

“We would ask anyone who has concerns to monitor the fledgling from a distance to see if the parents appear.

10

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

REHOME & RELEASE

REX Sadly, Rex suffers from neurological issues which meant his eye to paw coordination wasn’t the best. Whilst this didn’t cause him any distress, it did mean he struggled to walk or run without tripping over himself.

After we shared a heart-warming clip on social media of him playing with his favourite ball, a local couple came forward to offer him a forever home.

Did you know that the current maximum jail sentence for animal cruelty is only 12 months

Lovable Rex arrived at our rescue and rehoming centre in Caithness and quickly stole everyone’s hearts. The team swiftly discovered just how sweet and affectionate Rex was!

Although we miss animals like Rex we are always ecstatic when they find a new forever family.

Without the support of you and the general public, we would not be able to continue to rescue and rehome dogs like Rex.

CODY’S HAPPY EVER AFTER We found Cody living in a cage covered in faeces and urine alongside her pups. Poor Cody had to have her ovaries and womb removed due to infection.

Thankfully, Cody made a full recovery in the care of staff at one of our rescue and rehoming centres. She has since found a loving new forever home – and so have all her puppies!

As you can see, she’s making herself comfortable in her new home.

We are sorry if you are distressed by any of the images in this magazine.

Unfortunately, many of the animals we care for have been caused a great deal of suffering. We feel it is important to show the reality of cruelty to animals in Scotland and how we are able to help by investigating abuse and neglect.

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

11

EDUCATE & PREVENT

PREVENTION THROUGH EDUCATION Education is a cornerstone of our work. By educating people, we believe we can improve animal welfare in Scotland and prevent animal cruelty both now and in the future.

In 2018, our education officers reached over 245,000 school children across the country.

Our ‘Prevention through Education’ programme fits in to the Curriculum for Excellence, most notably helping children to develop into responsible animal citizens within their communities.

new addition to the programme will be a great tool to capture children’s imagination, encourage them to have fun and be creative, and emphasises how amazing animals really are. It also links with STEM curriculum, which puts a special focus on problem-based learning so that the students can instantly apply the knowledge they’re gaining.”

Any school can book a free visit from us. Please contact the education team now education@scottishspca.org or 03000 999 999 (option 5).

Our education programme continues to develop and evolve. In November, we announced our new partnership with Robo Wunderkind and in January the robotic educational tools were introduced to our 2019 workshops.

Gilly Mendes Ferreira, Head of Education and Policy said, “This unique

12

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

EDUCATE & PREVENT

ANIMAL GUARDIANS EXPANSION Our successful pilot of ‘Animal Guardians’, a pioneering programme which works with children who have the potential to or already have mistreated animals, was a great success in 2018.

empathy and compassionate behaviour towards animals.

‘Animal Guardians’ has gone from strength to strength in the months since it launched and is partly the result of our ongoing studies into the links between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), engagement in animal cruelty and human violence.

Working collaboratively with the University of Edinburgh, we are beginning to identify the connection between ACEs and the pivotal role these experiences can play in leading to cruelty towards animals. Research shows that 70% of UK children live with pets, forming strong emotional attachments to their animals.

However, unintentional and deliberate cruelty towards animals can start as young as six years of age.

Originally launched for children in the City of Edinburgh Council area, the programme is now available across much of central Scotland and referrals come in from a number of partner agencies. The pilot scheme will last for three years and is being generously supported by the RS MacDonald Charitable Trust.

Find out more about our campaigns on our website: scottishspca.org/campaigns

‘Animal Guardians’ is a vital early intervention tool and provides invaluable bespoke one-to-one sessions offering support for children from our specially trained staff. These sessions aim to nurture children’s

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

13

By nurturing compassionate and empathetic behaviours and supporting positive Human-Animal interactions we are truly making a difference to the lives of animals and humans across every generation throughout Scotland.

- Gilly Mendes Ferreira, HeadSpring/Summer of Education Saving Animals in Scotland 2019 and Policy 14

EDUCATE & PREVENT

SCHOOLS FILM COMPETITION This year, we launched our first ever primary and secondary school film competition. Primary and secondary schools have been invited to submit a short film that educates the public and in particular their peers, on key animal welfare issues that we tackle.

On the judging panel is BBC Scotland weather presenter, Judith Ralston.

The topic for the 2019 primary schools’ competition is ‘litter and animals’ and the secondary school subject is ‘illegal use of dogs’.

The competition gives schools the opportunity to engage their pupils in a creative and cross curricular activity with the opportunity to win prizes for both themselves and the school.

We visit schools every year encouraging pupils to become responsible animal citizens.

VET FORENSICS Last year we teamed up with the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh to host a conference, ‘Taking Veterinary Forensics into the Future’.

Bringing together over 100 students and professionals from the UK and US, the aim of the conference was to highlight the importance of veterinary professionals with forensic expertise and their involvement in progressing animal welfare cases through the Scottish court system. Speakers on the day included world renowned Professor Ranald Munro and Dr. Helen M.C. Munro, our own chief vet Iain Futter, Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn and an expert from our

special investigations unit.

Following the successful event, we are now progressing the key actions with plans to establish a Veterinary Forensic Future working group to raise awareness of the shortage of specialist veterinary surgeons and pathologists in relation to animal cruelty casework.

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

15

FUNDRAISING. CONTACT US

/scottishspca

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the fantastic fundraisers who have been taking part in brilliant challenges to raise vital funds for Scotland’s animals.

@scottishspca

scottishspca.org

SCOTMID We are so grateful to Scotmid, our Charity of the Year partner, who have allowed over 170,000 children in Scotland to learn about animal welfare through our education programme, thanks to a £141,000 boost at the halfway point of the partnership.

The incredible amount will go towards funding our free schools initiative in over 1000 schools across the country.

This will raise awareness of animal welfare through interactive workshops and helps children to be responsible animal citizens.

We look forward to working with Scotmid over the summer and we will be making the most of this

Did you know it costs £15 million a year to run the Scottish SPCA

collaboration until the partnership ends. Scotmid will be heavily involved in most of our major events, including Rehoming Week in May, The Kiltwalk and our Mutt Strut event which will take place at Strathclyde Country Park in Lanarkshire.

BALFOUR & MANSON We were honoured the Aberdeen office of law firm Balfour+Manson chose us as their nominated charity of the year.

The dedicated animal lovers have raised an amazing £1,700 from a number of challenges including climbing Ben Nevis!

Other events include the Gungho 5k obstacle course, and a sophisticated ‘Ladies fizz and shopping’ event.

Graeme Innes, manager of our centre in Aberdeen said, “We could

16

not rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals without generous people and companies, like Balfour+Manson, giving up their time to raise funds for us.

“We are incredibly grateful to all the staff at Balfour+Manson for their fundraising efforts throughout 2018 and would like to say a massive thank you on behalf of our team and animals.”

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

FUNDRAISING

SWING TO SAVE ANIMALS One of our most dedicated fundraisers, John Murasev, completed the first ever Swing for Scotland’s animals in 2018.

HELP THE ANIMALS AT CHRISTMAS At Christmas, we were given the opportunity to take part in the UK’s first ever fundraising telethon for animals alongside the RSPCA, The Donkey Sanctuary, Wildlife Aid Foundation and Blue Cross.

We joined four other animal welfare charities for ‘Help the Animals at Christmas’, a star-studded programme fronted by famous faces including Susan Calman, Anton du Beke and Gaby Roslin, giving viewers across the UK the chance to see the important work we do.

John has taken part in the iconic Forth Rail Bridge abseil a remarkable three times and has raised around £500 for us.

He also took part in the inaugural Swing for Scotland’s animals, 40 meters above the River Garry near Pitlochry in Perthshire.

John said, “I saw this as the perfect opportunity to raise much needed funds and raise awareness of the work the Scottish SPCA does.

“This was an incredible challenge and I loved the adrenaline rush!

“I would urge anyone to take part in a fundraising challenge, it’s very safe and the staff are always brilliant.”

If you’re up for a challenge, we have a variety of fun and exciting events taking place across the year.

Short films from each charity, which highlighted the vital and often upsetting work we encounter, were shown on the night.

An incredible £664,753 was raised on the night. The total will be split five ways between all charities involved.

We are extremely grateful to Channel 5 for the opportunity to raise important funds for our frontline staff to continue to champion animal welfare in Scotland.

For more information visit: scottishspca.org/events

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

17

FUNDRAISING.

LEGACY Every year, we are fortunate enough to receive legacies from people who have passed away. This means people can continue to help rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals after they have gone.

By leaving a gift in your Will, you can help save animals in need and give them a second chance in a loving home. Our friends at McClure Solicitors kindly offer supporters like you a free Will preparation service, which would normally cost at least £150.

Setting up a Will is one of the most important things a person can do and we would encourage anyone who hasn’t already got one to consider McClure Solicitors. By doing so, you can plan for your family’s future whilst helping Scotland’s animals.

to consider making a donation or leaving a gift in their will which will help rescue, rehome, rehabilitate and release animals in Scotland.

All McClure’s asks is for anyone benefitting from this generous offer

fundraising@scottishspca.org 03000 999 999

CALZEAT Our friends Calzeat have very kindly donated £1 for every ‘Funfair’ and ‘Carousel’ scarf bought. They sold an incredible 1,330 scarves which in length is the equivalent of:

18

10,472

8,867

4,364

3,500

3,167

Chihuahuas

Rabbits

Bearded Dragons

Cats

Great Danes

Saving Animals in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019

EDINBURGH MARATHON FESTIVAL 22 JUNE 2019

POUND FOR PAWS WALK, RUN OR CYCLE SEPTEMBER

FORTH RAIL BRIDGE ABSEIL

KILTWALK

5K AND 10K 9 JUNE & 6 October 2019

JUNE, APRIL, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2019

Saving FOR AnimalsSCOTLAND’S in Scotland Spring/Summer 2019 19 SIGN UP AND RAISE FUNDS ANIMALS!

FOREVER CARE

Did you know you can have peace of mind that we will look after your pet and find them a loving new home should they outlive you when you sign up to our free Forever Care service.

To receive information about our free Forever Care service or leaving a gift in your Will please contact us.

forever@scottishspca.org 03000 999 999