Our Manifesto

Add your voice to our campaign for better animal welfare in Scotland.

Animals Count: Make Them Matter

This manifesto is for everyone who cares about animals and wants to build stronger, healthier communities. We believe meaningful change happens when the public, politicians, and partners work together for all animals.

Animals count — but too often, their welfare is overlooked in policy and law. Our manifesto calls for urgent, evidence-based reforms in the next Parliament to ensure animals are protected, respected, and no longer treated as an afterthought.  

Our mission is clear: to make Scotland the best place in the world for an animal to call home. A place where every animal not only survives but thrives. This demands stronger laws, effective enforcement and political will. It calls for a nation proud to work together. 

 

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Animals across Scotland need a stronger voice, and together, we can help shape the future of animal welfare.

Your support helps demonstrate to MSPs that animal welfare matters across Scotland.

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We’re calling for a review to modernise the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, which, nearly 20 years since its introduction, no longer reflects the realities of animal welfare today. The legislation must address emerging challenges such as the online trade in animals and the sharing of animal abuse footage.
We want to see the Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare integrated into the Act, replacing the outdated Five Freedoms and aligning Scotland with international best practice, as seen in the Dutch government’s proposed reforms to its Animals Act.
The Five Domains Model recognises that an animal’s welfare is shaped not just by its physical health and environment, but also by its mental wellbeing, emphasising positive experiences as well as the absence of suffering. This would ensure our laws protect animals beyond their basic needs and position Scotland as a global leader in animal welfare.
To achieve this, we will work collaboratively with veterinary professionals, animal welfare organisations, enforcement bodies, and online platforms to shape and implement meaningful legislative reform, ensuring legal guidance and sentencing frameworks are fit for purpose.

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Campaigns in Progress

Find out about our ongoing campaigns to improve animal welfare in Scotland. 

We must continue to help improve the lives of all animals in Scotland through advocacy, collaboration, and action across a wide range of issues. As well as our four priorities, we are also working on many other key areas to improve animal welfare in Scotland. We can’t do it without you and ask that wherever you can, please get involved in conversations and be a voice for the voiceless. These are just some of the key issues we are actively working on and remain deeply committed to. Our mission is to ensure that animal welfare remains at the heart of policymaking in Scotland — now and into the future.

We will continue to push for improved standards in the treatment of farmed animals by seeking updates to existing guidance on pain relief, environmental enrichment, humane transport, and slaughter practices, ensuring animals are treated with the dignity and care they deserve.

We will persist in calling for a full ban on greyhound racing in Scotland, and work to support the safe rehoming of dogs discarded by the industry.

We will continue to campaign for a ban on the use and sale of electric shock collars and other harmful training devices, providing clear advice to dog owners and supporting enforcement against those who use or promote them.

We support the creation of a specific offence for dog theft, improved police data collection, and better systems for tracking dogs through microchipping, vet registration, and sales platforms.

In light of the continued passage of the Housing (Scotland) Bill, we will advocate for stronger legal protections for tenants with pets, and work to increase the availability of pet-friendly housing across the country.

We will continue to campaign for the responsible use and sale of fireworks, supporting tighter controls to protect animals and vulnerable individuals from distress and harm.

We are working closely with partners to tackle wildlife crime and promote ethical wildlife management in Scotland, ensuring legal protections are enforced and nature is treated with respect.

As members of the Dog Control Coalition, we will continue to call for breed neutral, effective and sustainable dog control legislation to be introduced in the UK recognising that robust enforcement is required. We will encourage responsible dog ownership and behaviour around dogs to ensure public safety. We will continue to advocate to safeguard the welfare

Putting Animal Welfare at the Heart of Scotland’s Future

The 2025 Animal Kindness Index reveals a powerful shift in public opinion in Scotland and we know the public cares deeply about animal welfare and expects action.

As we see increasing levels of animal abuse online and growing public concern for pets, farm animals and wildlife, the call to embed animal welfare in our laws, education system, and communities is louder than ever. With 91% of people across the UK recognising the value of animal welfare education, the case for action is overwhelming.

Read more about the Animal Kindness Index.

Animal Kindness Index

Meaningful change for all animals

We believe meaningful change happens when the public, politicians, and partners work together for all animals.

Companions

Pets offer companionship, emotional support, and contribute significantly to mental health and wellbeing. Recognising their value means making their care and protection a priority. 

Wildlife

Wildlife supports Scotland’s rich biodiversity and plays a vital role in maintaining the health of our planet. Protecting wild animals means preserving the ecosystems that sustain us all. 

Farm Animals

Farm animals provide us with food and livelihoods. It’s essential that their lives are valued by ensuring high welfare standards that respect their wellbeing and dignity.