Animal Aid

Help end the killing of Scottish seals

Scotland is fortunate to be the guardian of around 90 per cent of the UK's internationally-important seal populations - yet some colonies have already declined by around 40 per cent.

Thousands of seals are needlessly shot by the fish and farming industries in Scotland every year. The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 permits seals to be shot during the closed season, which means that pregnant seals or those with dependent pups can legally be shot. There is no requirement for shooters to meet any standard of proficiency, resulting in additional suffering.

The Scottish government is currently consulting members of the public about a new Marine Bill. Please contact them and ask for the Marine Bill to include full protection for seals.

Call on BBC to dump coverage of Crufts

Crufts, which is run by the Kennel Club, is well known for its strict rules on conforming to an ideal 'breed standard' of appearance. A recent BBC One documentary (Pedigree Dogs Exposed) exposed the breeding processes used to produce pedigree dogs and the high incidence of painful genetic diseases they suffer as a consequence. Pedigree Dogs Exposed compared practices at the Kennel Club with Nazism in its emphasis on breed purity. It is the 'breed standards', set by the Kennel Club, which, through selective breeding, have led to what a Shooting Times contributor and the RSPCA's chief vet, Mark Evans, have both called 'a parade of mutants'. Many Crufts entrants are deformed, disabled, disease-prone and in constant pain. Apart from the impact on the animals concerned, these problems often result in costly veterinary bills. Please contact the BBC and ask it to drop its coverage of Crufts - due to be aired in March 2009.

4 October 2008 World Animal Day

Every year, people across the world celebrate World Animal Day, and use this day to encourage others to express their love and respect for all animals.

This year, Animal Aid is asking you to write a letter to your local paper about the barbaric shooting industry. Every year, more than 40 million pheasants and partridges are used as feathered targets by callous shooters.

However, there are many other victims of this bloodsport who receive little or no mention – the wildlife commonly referred to as ‘vermin’ or ‘pests’ by gamekeepers.

Millions of animals are slaughtered every year in ‘predator control’ programmes, because they pose a threat to the survival of gamebirds. Species such as stoats, weasels, foxes and members of the crow family are systematically eliminated through the use of guns, traps, snares and poison. These animals are ruthlessly killed – all to ensure the survival of birds who are destined to be gunned down.

Please write to your local paper about World Animal Day and ask people to remember all the animals sacrificed by the shooting industry. You may also wish to reference Animal Aid’s website in your letter, should readers wish to find out more or wish to support our campaigns to help all animals.

For more information about World Animal Day, including a diary of events across the globe, please visit www.worldanimalday.org.uk.