News Blog 21 groups call on venues to stop exploiting reindeer 25-10-24 21 groups have signed an open letter to hundreds of event organisers throughout the UK, asking them to cease the use of live reindeer in their Christmas celebrations. The open letter, co-ordinated by OneKind, Animal Aid, Born Free Foundation and Freedom for Animals, highlights the significant number of venues that have switched to animal-free events in recent years. Last year, 44 events that had previously used animals confirmed to us that they made the responsible decision to host successful, reindeer-free celebrations. And since 2018 at least 153 events have made the move to animal-free Christmas events. Read the letter The letter also highlights a new report from Freedom for Animals which has documented legal loopholes allowing the use of reindeer in travelling festive performances across England. These activities would be illegal if associated with a travelling circus under the Wild Animals in Circuses Act 2019. Similarly, in Scotland, reindeer used in festive displays face welfare risks akin to those that led to the ban on wild animals in circuses under the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Act 2018. Charity signatories Signatories to the open letter are as follows: Animal Aid Animal Defenders International Animal Interfaith Alliance Animal Protection Agency Animal Think Tank Born Free Foundation Catholic Concern for Animals Crustacean Compassion Focus On Animal Law FOUR PAWS UK Freedom for Animals Humane Society International/UK League Against Cruel Sports Naturewatch Foundation OneKind PETA Rabbit Welfare Association Fund Save The Asian Elephants Shellfish Network Wild Welfare World Animal Protection Take action We are working with Animal Aid, Born Free and Freedom for Animals to put an end to the exploitation of reindeer at Christmas events throughout the UK. Please write to any local venues/councils that are hosting live reindeer displays in your area to ask that they reconsider. You can use our template letter, and our interactive map of reindeer displays, but please try to use your own wording as much as possible. The more personalised the letter, the greater the impact. Manage Cookie Preferences