The Scottish SPCA is the only animal welfare charity in the United Kingdom that is a specialist reporting agency to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

This power is coupled with the designation of the Scottish SPCA's inspectors under section 49(2)(a) of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, which enables SSPCA Inspectors to exercise powers of entry, search, seizure and issue of binding notices under the Act, such as "care notices".

Since devolution, the Scottish SPCA has been at the forefront of campaigning in the Scottish Parliament for improved animal protection laws in Scotland and were prominent advisors on the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Bill which obtained Royal Assent in May 2006.

[citation needed] The Scottish SPCA is often confused with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

Although the two societies both work with animal welfare, the RSPCA operates only in England and Wales while the Scottish SPCA covers Scotland.