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Posted: 24th September 2024

Scottish SPCA superintendent retires after 37 years
Mike Flynn first joined the Scottish SPCA in May 1987.
Mike Flynn’s career saw him tackle animal cruelty, welfare legislation and rogue crocodiles.

Mike Flynn MBE, Scottish SPCA superintendent, has retired from the charity after 37 years of service.

Mr Flynn first joined the charity in May 1987. During his career he was responsible for a number of developments for animal welfare, including new initiatives within the charity and improved animal welfare legislation across Scotland and beyond.

This has included the launch of the Scottish SPCA’s special investigations unit. The department addresses organised dog fighting, badger baiting and the illegal pet trade.

Mr Flynn has also been responsible for the Scottish SPCA’s uniformed staff and even produced the first Inspector’s instruction manual, which was approved by the Crown Office.

His career has seen him take a significant role in parliamentary issues and animal welfare related government consultations. This has involved him giving evidence to Scottish and Westminster committees, as well as assisting with legislation in Jersey, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Canada and Catalonia.

Most recently, after decades of campaigning, an outright ban on the use of snares in Scotland was enacted, as part of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill passing in the Scottish parliament.

Mr Flynn’s contributions were celebrated in 2006 when he received an MBE for services to animal welfare in Scotland. He is also an Honorary Associate of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association.

As well as contributing to important legislative changes in Scotland and beyond, Mr Flynn’s animal welfare work has seen him encounter a range of interesting cases.

On one occasion this saw him encounter a crocodile, Jimmy, in the boot of a car. Mr Flynn travelled with a colleague to Torremolinos in Spain to ensure Jimmy was safely placed in a wildlife park.

Although he is leaving his work at the Scottish SPCA behind, Mr Flynn will continue advocating for animal welfare as an independent external animal welfare advisor. He also remains a member of the Scottish government’s Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.

Image © Scottish SPCA



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