Animal Concern Welcomes New Campaigner!
As many may know, campaigning for animals requires more than just circulating petitions and giving opinions.
It’s a job that can be gruelling at times, that requires constant research, writing, networking, outreach, collaboration, strategic thinking, and keeping a finger on the pulse of politics and all things impacting animals.
It’s a job that requires a deep rooted compassion for animals, and strong dedication and commitment to seeing a campaign reach its goal of improving the lives of animals through legislation, influencing consumers, and education.
Enter Devon Docherty…
It is therefore our great pleasure to introduce our new campaigner, Devon Docherty!
Devon, who grew up in Lanarkshire and now resides in Ayrshire, will be taking on Animal Concern’s Scotland based campaigns.
Devon has her Master’s degree in Human-Animal Interactions.
Here’s more from Devon….
Hello!
I’m Devon, the new campaigner here at Animal Concern, and I’d love to tell you a bit about myself, and what I’m hoping to achieve with the charity.
WHERE I STARTED…
Animals have always been my main passion, or my defining personality trait, depending on who you ask. I was the horse girl in primary school, the vegetarian in high school, and now, the vegan. I look forward to the day this label becomes unnecessary - because treating animals with respect and not exploiting them is simply the norm.
From a young age, I didn’t just love animals, I was questioning how humans treat them, and why. For example, below is a poem I wrote, aged ten, attempting to subvert negative stereotypes about sharks:
Around that same time, I was already connecting the dots between meat and animals:
WHERE I’VE BEEN…
My creative spirit and love for story writing led me to studying English literature and journalism at university. But after a stint in a general newsroom, I realised the work felt disconnected from a sense of purpose, and more specifically, my purpose – to make the world a better place for animals.
That’s when I found a Master’s degree in Human-Animal Interactions (yes, such a degree really exists!). During this time, I published one paper and co-authored another exploring the psychology of animal consumption in vegetarians and pescetarian (you can read them here and here).
Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough work closely with Ed Winters, AKA Earthling Ed, creating educational content about veganism and animal rights. Here’s an example of the videos we produced, this particular one exploring the question of why humans started drinking the breast milk of another species, and how it became so normalised.
Alongside this, I’ve been involved in grassroots activism and animal rights campaigning, organising within my local activist community as well as volunteering for groups like We The Free, Animal Rising, Speciesism, WTF, Anonymous for the Voiceless, Elwood’s, PETA, Rescue Not Retail and Freedom for Animals.
I’ve also spent cherished time volunteering and living on a range of animal sanctuaries. Being part of these communities has given me a deep sense of connection and belonging, as well as a robust support network, which is so important when you’re navigating such emotionally challenging topics. It is the honour of my life to be surrounded by such incredible people dedicating their lives to animal freedom.
But it’s also challenged me, pushing me to question my assumptions, and grow through every experience. I think the sum of my experiences so far has led me to become a fiercely abolitionist animal defender, while knowing the value of staying pragmatic, open to new ideas, and adaptable in my approach. Perhaps I’ll delve into my theory of change in another blog…
WHERE I’M GOING….
I was drawn to this role at Animal Concern for a few reasons. First, because being a campaigner for animal rights is what I feel like I was born to do. Second, because I noticed Animal Concern are a Scottish charity, which struck me as a rare opportunity to bring more energy, visibility, and local action to the Scottish animal advocacy scene of which I am a part. And lastly, because the charity has a 150-year long history of campaigning for animals, and after some challenging times recently, they are rising from the ashes to renew the fight for our furry, feathered and finned friends, until every cage is empty. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
I believe in the rights of all animals to exist free from human infringement, abuse and exploitation, as far as is possible. That applies to wild animals, our companions, and the animals we cruelly breed into existence for consumption. Sentience ought to be given precedence over profit, pleasure or convenience. That is not a radical principle. It is a rational one, and one I will embody in my work with Animal Concern.
Over the next month or so, I’ll be finding my feet. Then it’s go time. I’m looking forward to spearheading exciting new campaigns, as well as driving our existing ones forward. I hope you’ll join me, us, and them. 🐾
With gratitude,
Devon.