The magazine for OneKind movement Autumn 2014

Welfare in the Wild Household products OneKind living Fundraising focus Christmas Cards Your OneKind Act

Take action for petsNew OneKind report demands review

of 1951 Pet Animals Act

OneKind Magazine2

Contact us

This summer Declan our Labrador has been unwell.Not serious, but at times he’s obviously been a bit down in the dumps and our children make a fuss over him. This bond between humans and pets is highlighted in a recent study which shows pet owners tend to be less lonely, less fearful and less pre-occupied than non pet owners. Not surprisingly this supports what many pet owners have known for years - and highlights the deep bond that exists between a human and their companion animal.

With this relationship in mind OneKind has been working hard on the various issues regarding the pet trade business; specifically the sale of animals through traditional pet shops and the unregulated internet. Whilst many animals go to loving homes, sometimes the conditions before then are far from ideal. We’ve highlighted some of the problems in this issue of our magazine and will be producing a detailed report shortly.

We have also been campaigning for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses in the UK, and on the continued secrecy surrounding animal experimentation in the UK. We were shocked to see Home Office figures confirm yet again, an increase in the use of animals used in experiments. OneKind believes that the spotlight of transparency would see this trend halted with a huge reduction in the use of animals, as well as replacements in the form of alternatives to animal testing.

I recently had a conversation with a potential supporter about OneKind and the work we do, particularly compared to that

of other animal organisations. OneKind does not work directly with animals such as dogs, rabbits or cats. Our role is to campaign for the welfare for all animals, whether wild, farmed or domestic pets. We lobby to get laws passed in order to make our world a better place for animals

I hope that you find the examples of our work in this magazine informative. If there are areas you wish more information or clarification on, please contact us. We would be delighted to hear from you.

John Brady Chief Executive | OneKind

email: info@onekind.orgwww.onekind.org twitter.com/onekindtweet Registered charity no. SC041299

10 Queensferry Street Edinburgh EH2 4PGTel: 0131 225 6039

Welcome

3OneKind Magazine

Addressing wildlife welfareOneKind’s Welfare in the Wild campaign seeks to move public policy-making away from outdated notions of pets versus pests, or “good” animals versus “bad”.

Unfortunately, the investigation and prosecution of offences against free-living wild animals receive far less attention than cruelty to pets or farmed animals.

Wildlife crime, from raptor poisoning to hare coursing to the illegal use of traps, is not only cruel but also extremely difficult to investigate. Offences take place out of sight in remote places and when they are discovered, there is no guarantee that the police will be able to attend the scene quickly.

Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons – lack of resources, police priorities, lack of knowledge by call takers, or issues of admissibility – reports of offences against wild animals often fall by the wayside.

Crucial evidence can disappear, either deliberately destroyed or degraded by the elements.

The issue has been thrown into sharp relief in Scotland, where a consultation on a proposal to give greater powers to Scottish SPCA Inspectors to investigate wildlife crimes has recently closed.

The Scottish Government proposes to give new powers to Scottish SPCA Inspectors to enter land and gather evidence where an offence against a wild animal may have taken place.

Scottish SPCA Inspectors already have rights of entry to property under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 for the relief of suffering and the investigation of offences against domestic animals. Often working with local authorities, police and other agencies, they have a pre-eminent role in bringing cases to the courts and achieving convictions.

Where wild animals are concerned, however, their powers are confined to the relief of suffering. If an animal is already dead, even by apparently illegal means, they cannot take the initiative and start gathering evidence without a police presence.

Gamekeepers’ representatives have described the prospect of over 60 trained inspectors with expertise in evidence-gathering being deployed wherever offences against wild animals are suspected as “disastrous”. OneKind, on the other hand, has strongly welcomed the proposal and hopes to see greater emphasis on bringing the perpetrators of these cruel crimes to justice, and deterring others. As far as we are concerned, the law should treat all sentient individual animals equally, as far as practically possible.

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Household products more questions than answers?

The UK public spends millions of pounds a year on household products, with supermarket shelves and kitchen cupboards dominated by brands from a small number of multinational giant manufacturers.

In July, Home Office Minister Norman Baker MP re-stated the UK government’s commitment to ending animal testing for household products before the general election in May 2015. However, he said, he was still looking for a solution around ingredients.

OneKind and other animal welfare organisations believe it would be a hollow victory for the animals if the promised ban only covered finished product testing. We must ensure that it includes the hundreds of available ingredients that could still, potentially, be tested on animals in the UK.

This summer, OneKind examined a range of 50 popular cleaning products made by Procter & Gamble, Unilever, S.C. Johnson, Colgate Palmolive, Jeyes Ltd., Reckitt Benckiser LLC., and Roche.

Cruelty-free companies have shown it is possible to make humane household products without testing on animals (see our buying guide at www.onekind.org). Much safety evaluation now uses computer models, tests with cells, population research, or existing data from related ingredients.

Yet for decades, rabbits, hamsters, rats and mice have traditionally been injected, gassed, force-fed and killed to test the ingredients of everyday household products such as washing up liquid, air fresheners and dishwasher tablets.

And all this to test products that everyone knows are not safe for human consumption.

The good news is that “finished product” testing has dwindled to zero in the UK in recent years.

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Most labels showed short lists of ingredients, described in generic terms for chemicals, such as “ionic surfactants”. Some companies required consumers to put in a code to their websites to obtain data sheets, or to study Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the products.

From these, it was clear that the number of chemicals in individual products varied hugely, from a handful of ingredients to a couple of dozen.

We checked the companies’ animal testing policies on their websites. Their general message was that they had reduced the amount of safety testing on animals; a number said they had invested in the development of non-animal alternatives and used existing data as far as possible. The main reasons given for continuing with testing were that it was required by law in some countries and was sometimes necessary for “innovation”.

We studied published abstracts from licence applications made under the UK’s animal testing legislation, now published on the Home Office website. Due to the general nature of these summaries, it is difficult for lay researchers to be certain about the purpose of some projects, but it appeared that most new research was intended for the control of infection and disease, reproduction, agriculture, natural biology and environment. There was some large-scale regulatory testing, and continued development, breeding and maintenance of genetically modified (GM) animals. None of that is surprising as safety testing has always been a very small proportion of the overall (massive) testing industry.

We looked at historic testing (often carried out overseas) on the ingredients that we could identify. Over the years, animals had suffered pain and distress from being dosed with these chemicals on

their skin or into their eyes, by injection, by stomach tube, or by inhalation. Symptoms observed in toxicity testing included internal bleeding, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, aggression, salivation, changes in blood pressure, coma, convulsions, tremors, loss of fur and hair, dehydration, and death. Long-term toxicity tests resulted in liver damage, weight loss, tumours, nausea, convulsions and bleeding. Many tests involved extremely high doses of test compound (often thousands of times more than any conceivable human exposure).

We asked the government which ingredients used in household products, whether already on the market or with a view to entry onto the market in the future, were being tested on animals in the UK; and also how many procedures and how many animals were used for the purposes of testing household products ingredients. The Home Office responded saying that it did not hold the details of chemicals tested.

So, we didn’t find answers to all our questions and we will keep working to inform our supporters of the true picture. But OneKind believes the case is more than made for a comprehensive ban on all animal testing for household products and their ingredients. A UK ban could influence positive change towards the introduction of both testing and marketing bans on animal-tested household products at the EU level and promote the use of safe, validated non-animal methods - already used for certified Humane Household Products.

Take actionYou can contact Home Office Minister Norman Baker MP via www.onekind.org and ask him to end household product testing once and for all.

Household products

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geT involved

If you would like information about any of our fundraising events , or other ways that you can get involved please visit www.onekind.org or email info@onekind.org or give us a call on 0131 225 6039. We’d love to hear from you!

Emma Vickerstaff

As a small grassroots organisation that does not receive government or lottery funding we rely solely on fundraising donations and legacies. With this in mind we would like to thank all our wonderful OneKind supporters and volunteers who help raise funds for our campaigning work. Quite simply, we couldn’t do it without you!

Special thanks to:

The delightful • Rhapsody who raised £697 performing a ‘Concert for OneKind.’ Lucy Anderson (soprano), Lynn Bellamy (mezzo-soprano) and Gemma Lois Summerfield (soprano) performed classic solos, duets and trios from opera and musicals as well as one or two special songs about animals!

Tracy Smith and Maureen Wallace• , who raised £575 by cycling 50 miles through the night in the ‘Edinburgh Moonlight Cycle Challenge. ‘

Our very own Field Research Officer, • Steve Smith who raised £316.25 by taking part in the big daddy of all challenges – Tough Mudder!!

Rugby Girls Grammar School• who hosted a cake bake which raised £91.48 – well done girls!

The dynamic • Fay Wilson, a fine art student from Milton Keynes, who raised £50 by hosting an art installation comprising of hundreds of origami foxes made out of anti-fox hunting leaflets and petitions. Thanks Fay!

Clare Webster Saaremets• who kindly donated £50, from family and friends in lieu of birthday gifts.

And last but not least our wonderful • Glasgow volunteers who helped raise a fantastic £308, by taking part in a bag pack at Wholefoods.

Tracy and Maureen raised £575

Steve (not in

picture) took part

in ‘Tough Mudder’

to raise vital funds.

Rhapsody helped us raise nearly £700 for our campaigns at a ‘Concert for OneKind’.

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geT involved

OneKind shop The OneKind shop has now been revamped with a range of ethically sourced, animal friendly products.

We offer a range of cruelty free goods including; cosmetics, chocolate, t-shirts, books and Christmas cards.

Why not check it out for yourself at www.onekind.org/take_action/onekind_shopping

Investigations appealOneKind would like to thank all those who very kindly donated towards our Spring Appeal which highlighted the important work done by our Field Research Officer, Steve. Together you have raised a fantastic, £4,449.23. Thank You!

FRIGHT HIKE! OneKind is looking for people to take part in the scariest challenge around – Fright Hike!!

The Fright Hike Challenge is simple – each walker makes their way around a 30km route within 6 hours, setting off at dusk and walking into the pitch black of night.

If this isn’t enough to make your hair stand on end, you can choose from four of the

spookiest forest locations in the UK; Epping Forest, Forest of Dean, Queen Elizabeth Park and Sherwood Forest, each of which is shrouded in mystery, legend and folklore - YIKES!!!

To find out more about this SCREAM of a challenge please call 0131 225 6039 or email info@onekind.org. Further information can also be found at www.onekind.org

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Take action for petsThe new OneKind report Pet Origins: Giving our companions a better start in life describes a pet vending industry in the UK that has become simply too large and too unregulated, with severe consequences for animal welfare as well as for consumers.

One establishment uncovered during OneKind field work for the report was a backroom breeding set-up in England where animals were produced both as pets and as reptile food. Over a thousand mice were kept in racks of small plastic boxes with wire mesh tops, similar to the rodent cages used in laboratories. The owners also had rats and white rabbits (for reptile food), giant continental rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, gerbils, snakes, lizards, toads, arachnids, tortoises and exotic birds.

Rodents were killed using CO2 gas using a plastic box as a chamber, while newborns (pinkies) would be killed by placing in a cold place or in the freezer. The animals were sold via internet classified advertising and specialist reptile forum sites. We were so concerned at the welfare of the animals being kept in this set-up that we reported this case to the RSPCA.

The OneKind field officer also visited 13 pet superstores in central Scotland. Most of these stores had one or more dead fish on view. Siamese fighting fish were seen in very small tanks, and fish tanks on the top level of displays had no gravel and very little enrichment furniture or places for the fish to hide. Other concerns included a hamster constantly scratching

at the glass of its display cage; and a spiny monitor lizard constantly pacing or “glass weaving” – examples of stereotypical behaviour which is usually a sign of stress.

A Siamese fighting fish was seen dead in its tank and in the same store a dying angel fish was being attacked by other fish, biting at its tail, body and eyes. A member of staff was notified but said that it was store policy to leave any dying fish in the tank and only to remove them once they had died.

In another store, four fish appeared to be very sick and were floating upside down or falling to the bottom of the tank. Six dead fish were also seen. Some had lost their pigment and others looked as though they had been partially eaten by other fish in the tanks.

The OneKind report makes the case that legislation is urgently required to safeguard and improve the welfare of animals, whatever their species and however they are traded. New trends in pet vending,

such as puppy farms, online sales, the explosion in reptile sales and the intensive rearing of small “furries” have brought a whole raft of new problems which must be addressed. There is also an urgent need to control the trading and private keeping of exotic or “wild” reptiles, mammals, birds and

“Rodents were killed using CO2 gas using a plastic box as a chamber, while newborns (pinkies) would be killed by placing in a cold place or in the freezer.”

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invertebrates, to protect animal welfare, public health and biodiversity. The number of species should be reduced to those that can safely be kept without causing harm in any of those areas, and this should be done by adopting a “positive list” system.

Both of these areas can be addressed as part of a broader, and much needed, review of the Pet Animals Act 1951, ensuring that legislation covers all channels of trade including the internet, and all commercial breeding of animals including “backroom” and “garden shed” breeders and pet wholesalers who import and breed animals for supply to retailers.

Animal welfare is a devolved issue. Please support the OneKind Pet Origins campaign by contacting your MP, MSP, AM or MLA via the OneKind action page at www.onekind.org

“The OneKind report makes the case that legislation is urgently required to safeguard and improve the welfare of animals, whatever their species and however they are traded.”

You can read the Pet Origins report at www.onekind.org

Pet vending

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One year on and still no action on snaring

IT’S EXACTLY A YEAR since we launched our snaring postcard campaign calling on MPs to put pressure on DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Ministers to publish a consultation on snaring with a view to banning these cruel traps in England. One year on and despite massive efforts from OneKind supporters there is still no movement from the Government.

Thousands of postcards have been sent to members of parliament urging them to act to put a stop to the horrible suffering caused by snares yet there is still no commitment to publish a consultation. OneKind

has campaigned for many years for a ban on snaring and, while we are still pushing ahead with campaigns in all of the devolved nations, we believe we need to focus our efforts on Westminster to lead the way.

You will notice that inside your magazine we have included another postcard. Many of you will have already filled these in and if so then please pass on to a friend and ask them to join the movement to ban snares, but for those who haven’t please, please fill it in and return freepost to OneKind where we will forward it on to your MP on your behalf.

As well as the prominent campaign for a ban in England

we have been working hard behind the scenes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and believe we are having a positive influence on policy makers in all administrations.

Snares have no place in a modern, civilised society and with your help we can rid the UK of this primitive method of trapping once and for all.

TAKE ACTION

Please fill in the enclosed postcard and return it to OneKind freepost so we can forward it to your MP. If you have done so already pass onto a friend and ask them to do the same.

11OneKind MagazineOneKind Magazine

campaignsOneKind joins fight against rogue pet traders

Underage animals, banned breeds, illegally imported or endangered species to animals offered in exchange for inanimate objects, were all among the adverts removed over the last six months The purpose of the initiative is to improve the welfare of pets sold online by encouraging websites to filter out illegal, unethical and misleading advertisements.

TAKE ACTION

Please join the fight against bad adverts, reporting anything suspicious found whilst browsing online classified pages directly to the sites themselves. If the sites refuse to remove illegal or unscrupulous adverts from their pet section then please contact PAAG by emailing admin@paag.org.uk

Will they? Won’t they? The circus merry-go-round continuesTwo travelling circuses still tour England with lions, tigers and zebras, even though this continued, outmoded use of wild animals flies in the face of efforts to bring change. A public consultation in 2010 saw 94.5% of responses in support of a ban and a draft Wild Animals in Circuses Bill was published in April 2013. Yet, despite a government commitment to ban wild animal circuses in England by the end of 2015, the recent Queen’s Speech contained no mention of the Bill.

This delay prolongs the use of animals in circuses in England and impedes progress in other parts of the UK. In Scotland, a consultation on wild animal circuses took place this year and separate legislation could follow - but it would be more efficient for all administrations simply to allow Westminster legislation to cover them. OneKind is supporting a Private Member’s Bill introduced by Jim Fitzpatrick MP. The Second Reading is scheduled for Friday 17 October.

In just six months over 100,000 inappropriate and unscrupulous adverts have been removed from some of the UK’s leading classified advertising websites thanks to a hugely successful pilot scheme to monitor online pet sales.

The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) which is made up of representatives from the UK’s leading animal welfare groups, including OneKind, and trade associations, undertook a six month monitoring scheme using trained volunteers.

The scheme which is endorsed by DEFRA and supported by the Scottish Government monitored some of the biggest classified sales site to identify adverts which contravened PAAG’s minimum standards for pet sales.

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TAKE ACTION

Please email the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister from www.onekind.org and tell them the merry-go-round must stop.

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The OneKind ManifestoWith just a few months until the next General Election now is the time to make sure animals are not forgotten as political parties start to publish their pledges ahead of voters going to the polls in May.

Animal welfare is an issue of significant importance to people in the UK with the strength of feeling among the public making us a fundamentally compassionate nation. However, OneKind believes attitudes need to change so that animals are appreciated, respected and celebrated for what they are – different from us, but just as valuable in their own right.

OneKind believes in and promotes the scientific concept of animal sentience, which means that non-human animals have a level of awareness and the ability to feel and suffer in ways that are comparable, if not identical, to ours.

The OneKind vision is a world in which people live harmoniously with animals, and treat them with compassion, because they value and respect them.

The OneKind mission is to inspire a movement of people who respect animals, value them, enjoy them and protect them, to create a better world for all.

The OneKind approach recognises animals as sentient beings and builds on the connections between people, animals and the natural world in a positive, inspiring and practical way.

Compassion, respect and protection of animals must be the responsibility of everyone and parliament can make a huge difference by setting a clear agenda to prioritise the welfare and protection of animals.

The OneKind Manifesto has been published with the aim of influencing and encouraging policy makers towards an agenda which recognises the importance of animal welfare by making recommendations in five key areas. These include:

Animals kept as pets and the pet trade•Animals used in food production •Animals used in experiments•Welfare of animals in the Wild •Animals used for entertainment•

Further information on our Manifesto can be found at www.onekind.org or if you would like a copy sent to you please email info@onekind.org or call the office on 0131 225 6039.

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YUMMY VEGAN LEMON CAKE

Ingredients:

275g SR flour

200g caster sugar

1 TSP baking powder

1 lemon zest and juice

100ml vegetable Oil

170ml cold water

150g icing sugar

Recipe time

OneKind Christmas Cards

Method:

Add flour, baking powder, sugar and zest into a bowl and mix well before adding the oil juice and water

Mix thoroughly

Pour into lined tin and bake for 30 minutes at 200 Celsius, gas mark 6

When cool, sieve icing sugar and add lemon juice until consistency is wet enough to pour over cake

By purchasing OneKind Christmas cards you are contributing directly to our vital campaigning work.

This year we have four card designs (ten in each pack) to delight your friends and family at the very reasonable price of £4.95 (inc P&P).

Please either cut out and send the form opposite in the enclosed freepost envelope, or call 0131 225 6039 to order your packs.

Christmas Card order formName

Address

Telephone

Email

Amount of packs

Qty Qty

Qty Qty

I enclose a cheque or postal order made payable to OneKind

Please either use the freepost envelope provided or send to: OneKind, 10 Queensferry Street, Edinburgh EH2 4PG

(£4.95 per pack incl. postage)

14 OneKind Magazine

What will your OneKind Act be?To celebrate World Animal Day on October 4 we’re asking our readers to tell us what their OneKind Act for animals would be.

OneKind Acts are small, simple things people can do every day to help protect animals and raise awareness that animals think and feel – just like us.

To enter simply get in touch letting us know about your OneKind Act. You can contact us via Facebook, Twitter (@onekindtweet), email (info@onekind.org), or post (10 Queensferry Street, EH2 4PG). The first 3 answers drawn on October 21 will receive a free taster pack from Live Native, a fabulous vegan skincare range. And to help inspire you we’ve listed a few OneKind Acts from supporters below!

“My OneKind Act is to eat vegetarian meals on a more regular basis.”

Louise

“My OneKind Act is to buy only products that have not been tested on animals.”

Jane

“Don’t breed or buy whilst other dogs and cats die – rescue!!!!”

Anne

“I vow to never give up raising funds for animals in need.”

Stacey

“When out for walks in the Lake District, I always pick up plastic bags and any litter. It can be so dangerous for wildlife.”

Andy

Helping animals can take many forms. Something as simple as giving up meat and fish and avoiding wearing leather can mean sparing lots of animals from a miserable life and cruel death. Saving just one life (be it human or animal) is massively important.

Lorna

“I like to keep an eye on my garden to make sure that it is a welcoming environment for any little visitors.”

Edinburgh

make a regular gifT To onekindBy committing to a regular gift to OneKind, your support will make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable animals.

Full name (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms)

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Please pay OneKind

£5

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each month until further notice.

Please debit the following account:

originator identification number 248189

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Instructions to your bank or building society. Please pay OneKind Direct Debits from the account detailed in the instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

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Please complete and return to: Freepost RSAA-BHCT-SUHG, OneKind, 10 Queensferry Street, Edinburgh EH2 4PG

“I believe that animals are capable of thinking and feeling, and being happy and sad just like us. There are little changes we can make to our lives, from how we shop to what we wear that will help us live a more animal-friendly life.”

Alesha Dixon

“My OneKind Act would be that if you have children or grandchildren try reading them an animal story that encourages them to love animals.”

Ricky Gervais

“My OneKind Act is to cut down on meat, and try a meat-free meal at least once a week.”

Alistair McGowan

“Say something! If you see anyone committing, allowing or encouraging animal cruelty, have the nerve to speak to them.”

Bill Oddie

This is the last three numbers on the signature strip

(Maestro/VisaDelta only)

make a singlegifT To onekindBy making a donation to OneKind, your support will make a positive difference to the lives of vulnerable animals.

Full name (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms)

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Please complete and return to: Freepost RSAA-BHCT-SUHG, OneKind, 10 Queensferry Street, Edinburgh EH2 4PG

Your lasTing legacYOneKind has campaigned for animals since 1912. Our support for them must never stop and with your support it never will.In 2013, we were very grateful to receive a legacy from a supporter who had been an advocate of our campaign work for many years. Over the last year, amongst other campaigns, this gift has enabled us to work towards a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses in the UK; campaign to regulate the huge pet trade industry and continue with our ongoing ban snares campaign, which saw us broaden our campaign work to England in a bid to rid the UK of these cruel and indiscriminate traps.

If ever the time is right for you to include a charity in your will, we hope that you will consider OneKind.

If you would like to talk about leaving a legacy to OneKind, or require further information, please call 0131 225 6039 or email info@onekind.org.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”Aesop