Scottish SPCA say farewell to Mike
In September, ADCH Member Scottish SPCA said farewell to their Chief Superintendent, Mike Flynn, as he prepares for his retirement after 37 years at SSPCA. ADCH is honoured to share their farewell tribute to Mike, highlighting his remarkable commitment to animals and his impact on the sector.
This September we say a farewell to Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn who embarks on his next challenge – retirement. We say challenge as Mike has dedicated over 37 years of his life to the animals here at the Scottish SPCA and we know it will be a huge adjustment for him not to wear his uniform every day! Even before he joined the charity, he worked with animals and was an elephant keeper at Edinburgh Zoo.
Mike started with the charity in May 1987. In his role he initiated and started the special investigations unit, which investigates organised dog fighting, badger baiting and the unscrupulous trade in pets to name a few. He also assisted in implementing animal welfare legislation in Jersey, North and Southern Ireland, Canada and Catalonia.
He even wrote the first Inspectors instruction manual that was approved by the Crown Office.
Mike has been responsible for all uniformed staff within the Society, all Parliamentary issues relating to animal welfare, and dealt with all animal welfare related Government consultations, including giving evidence to both Scottish and Westminster Committees.
Mike says it is the right time for him to step aside. In March this year, after decades of campaigning, hard work and advocating for change, the outright ban on all forms of snares in Scotland was introduced as the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill was passed in the Scottish Parliament. A legacy he should be proud of.
The Bill also gives us enhanced powers to support Police Scotland in tackling crime by allowing our inspectors to search, seize and examine evidence in cases where we’re already on location helping a live animal.
A truly momentous change that will improve the lives of countless animals, and one Mike, has been driving forward for over 30 years!
It’s not just our charity who recognise the achievements of Mike. In 2006 he was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 80th birthday honours lists for services to animal welfare in Scotland.
Mike is well-respected throughout the Society and many have stories to share – though some should be left unsaid due to his fruity language!
Sharon Comrie, who retired from SSPCA last year, worked with Mike for many years. One of her funniest memories of Mike is him on the stage at the ‘Help Animals at Christmas’ show in December 2018. Mike was on stage giving a talk about the SSPCA, and at the end of the show Mike was forced to dance with Peppa Pig who was standing next to him – and was hating every minute of it!!
One of his strangest cases was that of Jimmy the crocodile who was found in the boot of a car! Of course, Mike had to make the sacrifice of booking a flight to Madrid with a colleague and then drove to Torremolinos in Spain to see Jimmy safely placed in a park there.
Mike has given many of our colleagues so many laughs over the years. He might have a tough exterior, but he is a great big softy at heart and the good he has achieved for the animals over the years is truly inspirational.
Despite retiring, Mike will continue being an independent external animal welfare advisor on the welfare and ethics committee of Scotland’s largest scientific animal research company and also a member of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.
He is also an Honorary Associate of both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association.
Thank you from each and every one of us for all you have done for the animals across Scotland.
