News Blog 46 events go animal‑free: 2025 reindeer campaign in numbers (14-01-26) We’re delighted that 46 events that used live animals in 2024 organised animal-free events in 2025, following our joint campaigning with Animal Aid, Born Free and Freedom for Animals. This means that of the 577 events that we know to have used live animals since 2018 a total of 340 (59%) did not host events using animals in 2025. This is a significant achievement, which was made possible due to the actions of our brilliant supporters. Our 2025 campaign in numbers 35 organisations and experts joined our calls Last year, alongside Animal Aid, Born Free and Freedom for Animals, we co-ordinated an open letter signed by 35 animal welfare organisations and experts, urging hundreds of UK event organisers to end the use of live reindeer at Christmas celebrations. The letter was sent to 315 organisers of events using live animals. Our supporters wrote to 107 events Our brilliant supporters also used coalition member Freedom for Animals’ interactive map to write to venues that were advertising the use of reindeer in 2023 and were instrumental in creating a dialogue with event organisers. A total of 107 events were listed on the map. BBC News amplified our campaign in the media BBC News’ Reporting Scotland featured our campaign to end the use of live reindeer in festive events, with OneKind Head of Campaigns, Eve interviewed for the piece. In total, almost 40 news outlets covered our campaign in 2025. This national coverage gave us a powerful platform to highlight the wealth of welfare concerns for reindeer used in these events and to show event organisers that our message is reaching a wide audience. Why we must put an end to these events Research commissioned by OneKind in 2023, and conducted by animal welfare scientist Dr Tayla Hammond, revealed these types of entertainment events potentially have a negative impact on the animals’ welfare and therefore should be ceased. Dr Hammond outlined the following welfare concerns for reindeer used in these events. Unnatural environment and lack of agency 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. Constant, unfamiliar and unpredictable interaction Interaction with the public through petting and feeding has the potential to be stressful for reindeer. 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. Limited opportunities are presented to conduct natural behaviour 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. Our 2024 investigation revealed reindeer suffering Last year our exposé based on footage from eight festive reindeer events, which was then analysed by Dr Tayla Hammond, revealed that 75% of the reindeer displayed clear signs of stress — including pacing, pulling away from handlers, and other behaviours linked to poor welfare. Will you help reindeer like him? During the festive season he is penned in a small enclosure, surrounded by crowds, flashing cameras, loud music, and unfamiliar noises. Sometimes he’s harnessed to a sleigh and paraded down busy high streets. There’s no place to hide when he feels overwhelmed. Your support makes our investigations, campaigns, and lobbying possible. Give a gift for animals Manage Cookie Preferences