We’re delighted to share that Don’t Pet Me, our poetic animated cut‑out film exposing the hidden suffering of wild animals kept as exotic pets in Scottish homes, has reached the finals of the Smiley Charity Film Awards. 

What does this mean for the campaign? 

The Smiley Charity Film Awards aim to boost the causes of charities and would help us boost exposure for all the wild animals suffering in Scottish homes. 

 The Awards have:

• Engaged over 1 million people in charities’ films through public voting
• Generated 400 million film views for charities films’
• Had more than 3 million viewers tune into the awards ceremony 

Being a finalist gives our Don’t Pet Me campaign a powerful platform to raise awareness about the realities wild animals face in people’s homes. 

The films will now be judged by a panel, with the final taking place next month. 

This list would include only those species whose needs can realistically be met in a typical home, helping prevent the neglect, inappropriate conditions, unmet dietary and habitat needs, and lack of specialist care that so many wild animals currently face when kept in domestic settings. 

It is time to put an end to the suffering of wild animals. These wild creatures deserve to thrive in their natural habitats - not confined in people’s homes.