Animals
National Animal
The Lion“The love for a living creature is the most noble attribute of man”
Charles Darwin
Animals commonly seen in the wild
Marine fauna:
Salmons, sharks, whales, dolphins, seals, porpoises.
Birds:
Robins, wood pigeons, chaffinches, puffins, parakeets, goldfinches, gold crests.
Land mammals:
Deer, hedgehogs, bats, shrews, rodents, badgers, red foxes, weasels, squirrels, rabbits, hares.
Snakes and insects:
European adder, grass snakes, smooth snakes, sand lizards, viviparous lizards, dragonflies, butterflies, moths.
Common sights you will not like
In the city and on the road
There are very few stray dogs in the cities.
In theCountryside
Horse riding is commonly seen in the countryside and seaside. Horse races are a big deal and are held in many locations around the country.
General animal welfare issues
Cat and dog protection laws are stringent in the UK. They are considered property and any damage, injury or theft is punishable by law. Cats with owners are allowed by law to roam around public properties. Four cats is the maximum number of cats one can possess. It is illegal to abandon a cat and fined heavily. A roaming dog with a collar is considered a stray. Stray dogs are systematically picked up. Cats and dogs must be tagged or micro-chipped.
Hunting or poaching:
Common birds hunted are pheasants, partridges, ducks, geese, etc. Common mammals hunted are foxes and deer.
Animal fights:
Animal fights are illegal in UK. However, dog fights are happening away from the public eye. Cock fights also happen. Another law that protects fowl is the Cockfighting Act 1952.
Sanctuaries to visit or volunteer:
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre The Donkey Sanctuary Scottish Seabird Centre
We have not included the treatment of animals in the meat/fur/leather industries, zoos or circuses, animal testing as it unfortunately still happens in most countries.
