News Blog Help the Don’t Pet Me campaign reach thousands more (19-01-26) Every wild animal deserves a life in their natural habitat; not one spent behind closed doors in a home where their needs can never truly be met. That’s why we’re thrilled to share that our Don’t Pet Me animation has been entered into the Smiley Charity Film Awards, a platform that shines a spotlight on powerful stories told by charities across the UK. And we need your help to win. The Don't Pet Me animation 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. From snakes confined to cramped boxes to exotic species traded like commodities, the animation brings these unseen stories into the light. And now, with your help, we could reach an even wider audience. Vote for the film Why your vote matters The Smiley Charity Film Awards exist to amplify the causes that need to be heard. Winning would give a huge boost to our joint Don’t Pet Me campaign with Born Free and the Scottish SPCA, helping us raise awareness of the thousands of wild animals suffering silently in domestic environments. Reaching the finals is entirely down to public vote. That means your voice has real power. Every vote helps push this issue into the spotlight and brings us one step closer to protecting wild animals from exploitation. Vote for the film Sign the petition Our Don’t Pet Me petition to the Scottish Government has garnered over 11,000 signatures, with the public keen to see the Government take action to put an end to the suffering of wild animals in homes. The research is clear – wild animals kept as ‘exotic pets’ are suffering. These wild creatures deserve to thrive in their natural habitats and not be confined to people’s homes. Sign the petition Manage Cookie Preferences