Scottish animal welfare charity OneKind is up for a highly coveted prize at the Big Syn Film Festival hosted in London on 7th November. 

The campaign video for their joint Don’t Pet Me campaign alongside Born Free and Scottish SPCA exposes the suffering of wild animals kept as “pets” in Scotland. It is one of 200 films selected from 800 entries to be shortlisted for the prize. 

Winners will be declared on 7th  November at the red carpet gala awards ceremony at Curzon Soho, London. Winning films will be showcased on Europe’s biggest screen—London’s iconic Piccadilly Lights. 

The festival is the world’s biggest sustainability festival, reaching over 45 million in 120 countries, led by a Grand Jury of BAFTA and EMMY award-winners and leaders from the United Nations, as well as leaders in sustainability, policy and media. 

OneKind's Head of Campaigns and Media, Eve Massie Bishop, said: 

“We are thrilled to be nominated for this highly coveted award for our short film exposing the suffering of wild animals kept as “exotic pets” in Scotland.  

“Our research into the “exotic pet” trade revealed a troubling reality of animals being treated as commodities or collections. Heartbreaking stories emerged, of animals being kept in cramped enclosures – snakes were even kept in plastic boxes in both pet shops and homes - inadequate diets, social isolation, forced handling, and premature deaths. 

“The Don’t Pet Me animation gives a glimpse into just how difficult or impossible to meet the needs of many of these animals in captivity. Our campaign video encourages a more thoughtful approach to keeping animals – one of companionship, and only when the animal can thrive.” 

Don’t Pet Me is a poetic cutout animation exposing the harsh reality of wild animals kept as exotic pets in Scottish homes. It reveals poor living conditions, unmet dietary and habitat needs, lack of veterinary care, and exploitation on social media. The campaign urges the Scottish Government to introduce a legal permitted list of animals that can be kept as pets, allowing only species whose welfare can be properly supported in domestic settings. This measure aims to put an end to the suffering of wild animals kept as “exotic pets”. 

The film was selected as part of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals commitment. 

Eve Massie Bishop continues: 

“The law is currently failing to protect these animals. That’s why we’re calling on the Scottish Government to introduce legislation to only permit the companionship of animals that can have their needs met in domestic environments.” 

About the Festival:

The Big Syn International Film Festival is the world’s biggest sustainability film festival and a United Nations SDGs initiative. Organised by the Big Syn Institute, part of the Centre for Big Synergy (a CSO of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs), the festival celebrates purpose-driven films that inspire action on the 17 UN Global Goals. Since its inception, it has reached over 50 million viewers across 120+ countries, spotlighting stories that drive change in climate action, equity, education, and more. 

Notes to Editor 

1.     You can see the Don’t Pet Me campaign video here. 
2.     You can learn more about the Don’t Pet Me campaign here.