11th November 2025
Every year, throughout the festive season, we focus our attention on the problem of animals being used as props and attractions at events. By far the most commonly exploited animals in such events are reindeer. These gentle, sensitive animals are confined to trucks, vans, and trailers, and hauled around the country. They are then subjected to stressful and scary environments in Christmas events. Sometimes they are forced to pull a sleigh, parade through busy town centres, or simply made to occupy a small enclosure, surrounded by the prying eyes of spectators. It’s exploitative, unnecessary and cruel, and we stand against it every year.
Here at Freedom for Animals, we are working tirelessly once again to challenge, educate, and protest against these exploitative events, with one clear goal: to end this harmful practice for good. We believe the festive season should be a time of peace, joy, and compassion for everyone, including reindeer.
Working in collaboration with our colleagues at Animal Aid, OneKind, and Born Free, we are continuing to coordinate a national response to events involving live reindeer and reaching out to organisers to highlight the serious welfare risks and ethical concerns associated with hiring animals as seasonal decorations and props.
This approach has great results! Last year, 7 event organisers cancelled the use of reindeer in their festive celebrations after the four groups reached out detailing the negative welfare impacts of using reindeer in these events. And 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
This year, our joint letter has gained an incredible 35 signatories, including the RSPCA, League Against Cruel Sports, Dr Tayla Hammond, and many more. Read it here!
Thanks to their support, and that of our dedicated supporters, our collective voice is growing stronger and stronger each year! Together we are making real progress towards stopping these cruel displays, and more companies than ever are instead switching to compassionate, animal-free celebrations across the UK.
Our work will continue right through to Christmas Day and into the New Year, as we monitor, expose, and oppose these events. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help to bring about lasting change for animals!
Here’s how you can take action this festive season:
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Use our interactive map to find events near you and contact organisers directly HERE
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Report a festive event using our quick online form HERE
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Support our campaign by donating, helping us continue the fight for reindeer and all animals exploited for entertainment HERE
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