Dear John,

Your urgent help is needed to ensure that wild animal traders don’t get away with breaking the law at a reptile and amphibian market on Sunday 1st September 2024.

This Sunday will see the largest reptile and amphibian market in the UK and the third to take place at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham. Evidence of shocking animal welfare conditions and law-breaking was gathered by Freedom for Animals and the Animal Protection Agency at the previous two events held on 16 June 2024 and 17 September 2023.

At these exotic pet markets, animals such as lizards, snakes and frogs are housed in small, sterile takeaway boxes without food and water, and the necessary controlled temperature, humidity and lighting levels. 

In over forty years there has only been one prosecution for the offence of trading in 'pet' animals over market stalls, which highlights the significant failure of local councils to effectively enforce the law. Meanwhile the suffering of animals at these events continues. 

The Magna Science Adventure Centre has agreed to host no more of these markets following Sunday’s event. The event organisers will no doubt be seeking out a new venue to stage more cruel markets next year. Illegal animal traders cannot be allowed to keep getting away with it.

Thank you for taking action for animals, and for your continued support. Together we can drive real change for animals, and make the wider public aware of the suffering caused at cruel events such as this.  

We could not be here, fighting for animal freedom, without your ongoing commitment to stand alongside us. For all that you do for animals, we could not be more grateful. I will keep you updated on this important campaign.

Until all are free,


Laura Walton
Campaigns Manager
Freedom for Animals