Demand a National Animal Offenders Register

We’re calling for a National Animal Offenders Register to stop those who harm animals from owning them again – and you can help make it happen.

What we’re campaigning for – National Animal Offenders Register

The creation of a system connected to already existing intelligence databases that would allow enforcement agencies to track repeat offenders, monitor bans, and identify links between animal abuse and other crimes earlier. The Register would act as a notification system, flagging individuals convicted of animal abuse and making it easier to detect their involvement in other criminal activity. This is especially important for those who have been banned from owning animals, as animal abuse is often an early indicator of wider patterns of offending.

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Be their voice. Add your signature.

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.

Please take a moment to add your name and stand with Scotland’s animals.

Please take 2 minutes to fill out this petition and let them know you support our manifesto.

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1871 Signatures (16%)
12000 Goal

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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We want to see the Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare integrated into the Act, replacing the outdated Five Freedoms and aligning Scotland with international best practice, as seen in the Dutch government’s proposed reforms to its Animals Act.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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Why Scotland needs a National Animal Offenders Register

 

Buster’s  Story

I remember the shouting before the pain. Then the sound of something hitting the floor, over and over again. I tried to hide, but there was nowhere to go. For three hours, I was beaten, kicked and screamed at by the person I trusted most. Every blow sent fear through my body. I couldn’t escape. I couldn’t understand why. 

By the time help arrived, I was barely standing. My face was swollen, my legs bruised, and my trust shattered. The person who did this to me filmed parts of the abuse. It wasn’t a single moment of anger, it was sustained, deliberate cruelty. 

I was rescued by the Scottish SPCA, given urgent veterinary treatment, and taken somewhere safe. Slowly, I began to heal. For weeks, I wouldn’t let anyone near me. I’d flinch at footsteps or raised voices. But the people caring for me were patient. They gave me space, kindness, and the chance to start again. 

Now Buster is living his best life

Now, I have a new family. I go walking in the hills, I nap by the fire, and I sleep soundly at night. I’m one of the lucky ones. 

But many animals aren’t. The people who hurt us are often free to own or work with animals again. Without proper monitoring, offenders can move between areas, buy new pets, and start over. 

That’s why Scotland needs a National Animal Offenders Register, a tool to protect animals from repeat abusers, and to give those enforcing the law the information they need to stop cruelty before it happens again.