Demand a National Animal Offenders Register

What we’re campaigning for and how you can help.

What we’re campaigning for

We are asking for the creation of a National Animal Offenders Register that would be connected to current intelligence systems allowing enforcement agencies to track repeat offenders, monitor bans and identify links between animal abuse and other crimes earlier.

How we will do this

Create a Register within existing intelligence systems accessible to all relevant agencies. The Register would act as a notification system to make it easier to detect individuals convicted of animal abuse by flagging their involvement in other criminal activities. This is especially important for those who have been banned, given that animal abuse is often an early indicator of wider patterns of offending.

Download the Manifesto

Buster’s Story: Why Scotland Needs a National Animal Offenders Register

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.

Now living his best life

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, 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.

What we’re asking candidates and political parties to do

We invite you to meet with us, hear the evidence behind our proposals, and explore how you can place animal welfare at the centre of your commitments. These are practical, achievable steps that will:

Reduce animal abuse
Strengthen enforcement
Make Scotland safer and fairer for animals and people alike

What we’re asking Scotland to do

Use your voice for Scotland’s animals.

We are asking for Scotland’s support. You can do this by learning more about the issues we’re tackling, showing and sharing your support on social media, and adding your voice to the call for change.

Every conversation matters. Every show of support helps us make the case that animal welfare is not a luxury — it is essential to Scotland’s wellbeing.

Animals count in Scotland — Let’s make them count for something.