A new year, a new me. That is often the refrain that rings out as we leave one year and enter a new one.
Many of us make New Year resolutions often they are about improving one’s self such as I will go to the gym more, I will lose some weight or get fitter. I will read more books and watch less telly. Or maybe that’s just me.
But rather than focus this New Year on ourselves as individuals how about focussing on the world around us. Or if that is too much to change, at least a part of it. Here at OneKind we would wish to see a Happy New Year for animals.
We would wish to see an end to carting animals around the country to perform for human pleasure in circuses. A by product of this was illustrated starkly last year when Lions and Tigers were brought to reside overwinter in the North East of Scotland looking out at the North Sea. Now I’ve spent many happy holidays as a boy up near Fraserburgh in a small village called Rosehearty. Whilst I have fond memories, and truth be told it was quite a number of years ago now, I do remember even in summer it could be cold. In winter bracing would certainly not be inappropriate. So how on earth could we remotely think that Fraserburgh was an appropriate place for Lions whose natural habitat is Sub-Saharan Africa or Asia. The UK Government promised to ban the use of wild animals in circuses; we want them to implement that ban before the general election in May. But if they don’t the incoming government should pick up the draft Bill and implement the ban.
Every year the Home office produces summaries of the numbers of animals used in experiments and every year the number increases. Why can’t 2015 be the year that the number decrease, and sharply. Last year we campaigned for an end to the testing of Household products. Whilst OneKind seeks an end to the use of all animals in experiments we have limited resources available so we have targeted an area where the UK Government has made a commitment. Household products sold in the UK contain individual chemical ingredients that have been tested on animals at home or abroad - a fact the vast majority of the UK general public is completely unaware of. If the ban is to be meaningful, however, it must cover not only finished household products but ingredients as well.
We also want to see greater openness on animals used in individual experiments and procedures. It remains extremely difficult for researchers to tease out the true nature of the procedures, due to the secrecy provision within the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Section 24 of the Act makes it a criminal offence to disclose confidential information and even acts as a bar to sharing “good practice” among labs. Whilst the Home Office annual report highlights the big picture the spotlight of transparency on individual procedures, the sharing of good practice amongst laboratories and public awareness could see significant reductions in the numbers of animals used in such procedures.
And as well as animals in the lab, or in circuses we want to see a happy New Year for wild animals too. One of our long standing campaigns has been on the use of snares. Snares are loops of wire used to trap wild animals. That said they are indiscriminate and random and can trap any animal that comes along. Our Snares monitoring site www.snarewatch.org frequently has stories of domestic pet cats that are caught up in snares, sometimes with horrific consequences. When we describe how snares are set, and the cruelty that is inflicted on animals – even if we were to accept the premise that the target animal is a “pest” which OneKind doesn’t – most people recoil with horror and ask is that still legal in this country.
As I’ve mentioned this year there will be a UK General Election. The political parties are starting to launch their campaigns and manifestos. But let’s not leave it all to the politicians. OneKind will be launching our manifesto for animals soon. We encourage all those who care about animals to take action. Contact candidates and ask them their views on policies and issues that affect animals. Go along to hustings or public meetings and quiz candidates on how they will improve animal welfare if elected.
But outwith the election campaign there will be other times when we can all take action. I encourage you to Support OneKind actions when they come. And not just our campaigns, there are many worthy organisations who seek an end to animal cruelty.
New Year resolutions often last a month or two. By focussing on animals let’s take actions all year round on behalf of animals. They cant give up after two months, nor should we. Let’s make 2015 a good year for animals.