We may be some weeks away from the festive season, but the exploitation of animals for festive 'entertainment' has definitely already begun.

As the Festive Events campaigner, I have conducted research to find out exactly how many events are using live animals this Christmas. I was hoping that Covid may have deterred venues like shopping centres and city centres from holding events with animals this year. I was deeply disappointed to see that I was wrong.

Already I have located events taking place up and down the UK using animals at garden centres, Christmas markets, Christmas light ‘switch-on’ events, some even in pub gardens. The animals lined up to ‘entertain’ at these events include reindeers, birds of prey, donkeys, horses, goats and other small animals.

That is why I am emailing you today, to ask you to please send an urgent donation. We need to take action NOW to help these animals, who are facing a winter of suffering. 

These events may be fun for us humans but for animals the hustle and bustle is incredibly stressful.

Worst of all, the animals have no chance of escape.

Penned into their cages and enclosures, they have to endure the crowds, people peering in, reaching to touch them, the bright lights and loud noises.

Just like the animals used in circuses, these animals are being degraded and exploited.

I know that you are very strongly against animal circuses and will take action to end them once and for all. So will you do the same today for these animals, also suffering for human enjoyment?

One of these awful events is taking place at Tamworth Snowdome. It's a huge indoor leisure venue with an ice skating rink, ski slopes, gym and event space. And this winter, they are bringing animals into one of the largest Christmas events I have found.

Animals are front and centre as part of the ‘entertainment’ on offer for visitors. Promotion boasts that visitors can “get close and personal with Santa’s furry animal friends as you explore the animal area”. This area is directly next to a large traditional carousel, a ride with loud music and bright lights. This event is running for two months, and is open almost every day. How can they hope to ensure any kind of animal welfare in an environment like that? 

We can’t let this go ahead! Will you help us fight for these animals? Your donation sent with urgency today will be put to work straight away. Animals are not ours to exploit for entertainment!

The season of suffering may be drawing closer but we have a chance now to take action, to cancel those events already planned and work to free animals from this cruel industry. Your action today can make that happen.

For the animals,


Isobel McNally
Festive Events Campaigner, Freedom for Animals

P.S. Reindeers and other animals are being lined up for a winter of suffering. All in the name of human entertainment. But you can stop this cruelty and help these animals by sending a donation of £10 or more today. You will fuel the campaign to stop these events and help give animals a future of freedom. Thank you.