35 animal welfare groups and experts have sent an open letter to hundreds of event organisers across the UK asking them to cease using live reindeer in their Christmas celebrations this year.

The letter highlights the associated welfare issues of live displays, such as psychological stress, unsuitable environments and lack of agency. Animal protection groups, OneKind, Animal Aid, Born Free and Freedom for Animals are leading the campaign to end the use of live reindeer events and displays across the UK. 

Last year, 7 event organisers cancelled the use of reindeer in their festive celebrations after the 4 groups reached out detailing the negative welfare impacts of using reindeer in entertainment events. Since 2018, at least 209 events that previously featured live animals have since switched to creative, animal-free alternatives. These include VR sleigh rides, animatronic reindeer and 'reindeer runs', where people in costumes raise funds for local community causes.   

Last year, the groups also obtained footage from eight Christmas events across the UK, highlighting significant welfare concerns for reindeer. The groups consulted Dr. Tayla Hammond, an expert in animal welfare and behavior, who confirmed the presence of numerous welfare issues, including: 

Physical Environment  

• 75% of the animals displayed stress indicators, such as trembling or avoidance.
• Calm behaviours were only recorded in 12.5% of reindeer.
• Space provided for reindeer was considerably restricted in 87.5% of events, with poor ground conditions in 75% and loud noise exposure in 87.5%.
• Handlers often physically held reindeer in place, forcing interactions with the public and limiting their agency.  

Behavioural Interaction

• Opportunities for natural behaviours were severely limited, with these types of behaviours, such as grooming, foraging, or resting, only observed in 25% of events. 

OneKind’s Head of Campaigns and Media, Eve Massie Bishop said:

“Thirty-five animal welfare experts have now joined the call to end the use of live reindeer in festive events, a clear signal that this practice is no longer acceptable in a society that values animal wellbeing. With growing evidence of stress and other welfare issues, and over 200 events already switching to creative, animal-free alternatives, it’s clear the time has come to put an end to this practice. Christmas is about community and compassion. Those values ought to be extended to animals as well.” 

Chris Lewis, Captivity Research & Policy Manager at the Born Free Foundation said:

“The festive season is a time of happiness and celebration, which for many can involve attending festive events. This enjoyment can still be achieved without it being at the expense of individual reindeer who are transported up and down the country to be kept in unnatural, stressful conditions. We urge organisers to show their compassion this festive season by ending their use of reindeer at events.” 

Isobel McNally, Campaign Manager at Animal Aid said:

“Every year more and more organisations and experts sign on to our open letter opposing the display of live reindeer at Christmas. This is a very clear sign that the informed majority see the harm they cause to the animals they use. There is nothing educational about seeing herd animals torn from their families for display purposes, and nothing magical about a sad, stressed, confused reindeer in a shopping centre or a town square. These events are exploitation, and it’s time for them to end.” 

Laura Walton, Co-Director at Freedom For Animals said:

“Reindeer are magnificent animals, and they do not belong in shopping centres or car parks. They belong in the wild, where they can roam freely, form natural herds, and express the very behaviours that make them who they are - yet these events see them deprived of their liberty and autonomy, fenced in on display in noisy, crowded environments, and forced to perform for entertainment. It is far from festive. The true spirit of Christmas lies in compassion and kindness, not in the exploitation of animals. We have a responsibility to end these outdated practices once and for all.”

The signatories to the open letter are as follows:  

Organisations 

Animal Aid, Freedom for Animals, Born Free, OneKind, RSPCA, League Against Cruel Sports, Project Phoenix, Ecoflix, Four Paws, Animal Think Tank, Naturewatch Foundation, Protect the Wild, PETA, Catholic Concerns for Animals, Humane World for Animals, World Animal Protection, Animal Protection Agency (APA), Crustacean Comnpassion, Save The Asian Elephants (STAE), Animal Defenders International (ADI), Rabbit Welfare Association, Shellfish Network, Animal Interfaith Alliance, The Foal Group  

Animal welfare experts 

Dr Tayla Hammond, Animal Welfare Scientist & Founder, Animal Insights Research and Consulting
Dr Mark Jones, MRCVS
Shakira Free Miles, BSc RVN
Dr Emma Milne, BVSc FRCVS
Stephen Maxwell, MVB MRCVS
Heather Hodcroft, RVN, PGCertAVN Wildlife, Exotics and Zoo
Michael Edwards, B. Vet, Med, MRCVS
Professor Claire Parkinson, Centre for Human-Animal Studies, Edge Hill University
Dr Richard Twine, Centre for Human-Animal Studies, Edge Hill University
Professor Andrew Knight, BSc./BVMS, PhD (Griff.), PhD (Winch.), Veterinary Professor of Animal Welfare
Zoe Jewell, MA, MSc., Vet MB., MRCVS, Co-Founder WildTrack 

Notes to Editor  

1. OneKind commissioned a report into the welfare issues on reindeer displays by Researcher in Animal Welfare and Behaviour, Dr Tayla Hammond. Read the report here or a shorter summary here.
2. Dr Tayla Hammond’s analysis of footage of reindeer events in 2024 can be seen in full here.
3. You can read the open letter here. 

If you would like to know if any events in your local area have been contacted please contact: [email protected].