A successful week of Celebrating Animals in the Scottish Parliament culminated in an assurance from the Cabinet Secretary responsible for animal welfare, Richard Lochhead MSP, that he and his officials were reviewing the issues and options surrounding pet vending in Scotland.
Responding yesterday to a Motion about Animal Rights and Human responsibilities – lodged on behalf of the Cross Party Group on Animal Welfare (CPGAW) – Mr Lochhead acknowledged that Scottish animal welfare legislation needed updating in some areas and said he was “acutely aware” that the Pet Animals Act 1951 did not provide for modern welfare issues such as internet sales or exotic pets, and that there was no legislation covering pet breeding, other than dogs.
CPGAW members were present at the debate along with three dogs – two Guide Dogs and a Therapet – who were welcomed to the Chamber by the Cabinet Secretary and offered a welcome bowl of water by Parliamentary staff. The debate was introduced by the CPGAW Convener, Christine Grahame MSP, who spoke of the sentience of animals and the commitment required of a responsible pet owner. Other MSPs recalled favourite pets and the difference they had made to their families’ lives. Malcolm Chisholm MSP said that he had never been a pet owner but was struck by the issues raised by constituents including puppy farming, the sale of cats online, snares, the use of wild animals in circuses and the use of closed-circuit television cameras in slaughterhouses. He also described how his own attitude towards animals had been “profoundly affected” by seeing how “my oldest granddaughter loves, cares for and empathises with cats in general and her own cat in particular. That has made me think about the very positive role that animals play in the lives of children.”
You can read the full debate here
Animal welfare was also discussed in the Chamber earlier in the week, when the Procurement (Reform) (Scotland) Bill was amended to require public procurement bodies to produce a statement on their approach to animal welfare.
The amendment was lodged by Sarah Boyack MSP and spoken to by Claudia Beamish MSP who pointed out that humane production is part of food quality, and an area where individual consumers have a right to make choices. With their substantial purchasing power, public bodies can also make a difference for millions of animals by the choices they make in the procurement process and the amendment takes a useful first step in that direction.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) entered into the spirit of the week by inviting the CPGAW Convener Christine Grahame MSP to address its annual Scottish dinner in the Parliament, and vets and guests later visited one of the exhibition stands to enjoy photographs of pets contributed by MSPs, Parliamentary staff and animal welfare bodies. Another attraction on the exhibition stands – described by one MSP’s researcher as “the most popular I’ve ever seen in here!” – was a pledge to “celebrate Scotland’s animals” which was willingly signed by MSPs.
The whole week was designed by the Cross Party Group on Animal Welfare – for which OneKind provides a secretariat service – to emphasise the human-animal bond and the benefits which animals bring to humans. Many members of the CPGAW contributed leaflets, displays and images for the exhibition, and representatives of the Dogs Trust, League Against Cruel Sports, Rabbits Require Rights, Canine Concern Scotland Trust/Therapets, World Horse Welfare, Cats Protection, Guide Dogs Scotland, BVA, Scottish SPCA and OneKind attended in person to engage with Parliamentary people. The pets presentation, compiled by Mary Shanley, manager of Christine Grahame’s office, engaged many passers-by, while our visiting Therapets and Guide Dogs – Keira, Mowgli, Royal and Briar – were visited by resident Guide Dog, Mr Q and drew staff from their offices for a chat and a pat.
Enormous thanks are due to everyone who supported Celebrating Animals week, to the Exhibitions and Events team in the Scottish Parliament, and to OneKind staff who designed and produced exhibition materials, supported press and social media, and lugged heavy boxes. It was worth it. By the end of the week, few in the Parliament would dispute that we owe our animal friends an immense debt and the least we can do is to ensure their humane treatment, at all stages of their lives.