Dear John,
 

2022 has seen many challenges, but even with everything else happening around us, we have still been able to make great achievements for animals in 2022. But we could not have done this without your support! 

So, thank you for everything you have done for animals in 2022 and here’s to a bigger and better 2023!

Here’s a quick recap of 2022! For a more detailed look please read our blog here: https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/victories-of-2022 

JAN - MARCH

This year we are celebrating our 65th year in fighting for the freedom of animals! Since Irene Heaton founded the Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS) in 1957, there have been many incredible achievements for animals, including the use of wild animals being banned from circuses. There is, of course, so much more work to be done in the fight for animal freedom, and we will not rest until ALL animals are free from exploitation. Some of our supporters will have been with us since the early days, some more recently. But whenever you joined us, you have made incredible changes for animals.

Early January is often where we follow up on our campaign to end the use of animals in festive events. This campaign was so successful and saw a huge step forward for reindeer after a Tesco’s owned store, Jack’s stores cancel all 12 of their planned live animal events! 

In February we launched a campaign against a live owl display held at Tynemouth Market in the North East. A barn owl called Willow was being regularly exploited by a trader at the market. In exchange for money, the birds were forced to endure being handled for photographs, and was tied down by her leg (tethered) when not 'working'. But, thanks to your action, the owners of the market decided to no longer allow such cruel displays to take place on their property! 

APRIL - JUNE

April is always a busy month for us as it is often when we hold our annual event, Zoo Awareness Weekend took which takes place over Easter. This year so many groups and individuals took part with activists taking to the streets to hold protests and information stalls across the UK. 

Activists from Belfast, Merseyside, Brighton, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and the North East all held impactful demonstrations and stalls to educate the public on the truth behind the zoo conservation lie. These actions could only be possible thanks to your generous donations and support, as they enable FFA to continue to provide free campaign materials, organise protests and carry out vital online promotion for events.

You can read more about this and our mobile zoo campaign in our Victories of 2022 blog.

JULY - SEPT

A recent report highlighted the government’s intention to reforming parts of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, which could see zoos end the keeping elephants. Since then, FFA launched the Freedom for Elephants campaign in August, which has seen over one thousand of you email DEFRA to voice your concerns and help shine a light on the continued suffering of elephants in captivity. 

Let’s hope that this is the start of the end of elephants being kept in zoos! This would be a magnificent step towards the banning of all species in zoos and help create a major shift in attitude towards these cruel establishments.
https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/end-elephants-in-zoos

Sea Life Brighton has seen a flurry of demos in 2022, held by grassroots activists as part of the ‘CLOSE SEALIFE’ group. Their commitment to the cause is commendable, and FFA want to show support by sharing their petition, calling for Lulu the green sea turtle and her partner Gulliver’s freedom. You can sign and share the petition here: 
https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/take-action-to-help-lulu

You can read more abou this campaign and other in our Victories of 2022 blog.

OCT - DEC

At the beginning of October, we launched our Festive Events Campaign, which aims to stop live animals being used as props at Christmas events across the country.

Many events such as Bristol Christmas Market, Bamburgh Castle, Webbs Garden Centre (across four locations) and Thames Christmas Lights Switch-On decided to go animal free thanks to increased campaign pressure!

We will be releasing more exciting victories from this campaign in January so watch this space. And thank you for all your support with this campaign so far, we cannot do this one without you!

Thank you so much for everything you've done to make these important victories happen! Here's to 2023 and continuing the fight for animal freedom together!

For the animals


Laura Walton
Campaigns Manager
Freedom for Animals