35 groups and experts call on venues to stop exploiting reindeer (11-11-25)

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

Reindeer in a pen at a Christmas event in Scotland.

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 and co-ordinated the letter.

Read the letter

218 events switch to animal-free alternatives

Last year, 7 event organisers cancelled the use of reindeer in their festive celebrations after the groups reached out detailing the negative welfare impacts of using reindeer in entertainment events. Since 2018, at least 218 events that previously featured live animals have since switched to creative, animal-free alternatives.

Two reindeer in a pen at a Christmas display.

Welfare concerns

The unnatural environment and lack of agency associated with events that use reindeer are likely to lead to distress and a state of poor welfare.

Reindeer do not belong in a life of captivity and it is very difficult to ensure that their needs are met in captive environments in the UK.

Constant, unfamiliar and unpredictable interaction

Interaction with the public through petting and feeding has the potential to be stressful for reindeer.

Reindeer in an enclosure at a Christmas event.

Stimuli that may be perceived as threats

These threats include loud noises, human ‘predators’ and other animals. As prey animals who form herds, reindeer are highly fearful and vigilant, allowing them to detect and respond to threats to survival. While reindeer may express vigilance in response to these threats, they have limited agency to act upon them, thus leading to a state of fear.

Long distance travel

Long distance travel, repeated loading and unloading and pulling Santa’s sleigh can cause physical and mental fatigue to reindeer.

A reindeer prepared for a festive parade.

Transportation and event stress

As well as having the potential to cause physical suffering and mental fatigue, the stress of transportation, and the event itself, can compromise immune system function in reindeer. This makes them more susceptible to disease and infection.

Reindeer in an enclosure in a city centre at Christmas.

Limited opportunities are presented to conduct natural behaviour

During these types of entertainment events, such as Christmas displays, limited opportunities are presented to the reindeer to conduct natural behavior, such as the basic need to frequently consume forage. This environment also restricts social behaviours.

Open letter signatories

Signatories to the open letter are as follows:

Organisations

OneKind, Animal Aid, Freedom for Animals, Born Free, 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

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.

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