5th March 2025

The circus season is due to start back up again this Spring, and Freedom for Animals is appealing to our supporters to stand against those that use animals in their performances.

Last year we brought you the results of our investigation into modern animal circuses in the UK, 5 years after the use of wild animals was banned. Our report showed that, although England’s Wild Animals in Circuses Act 2019, and similar legislation in Scotland and Wales, brought a welcome end to the likes of lions, elephants, and camels being exploited in the circus ring, ‘domestic’ animals are still suffering to this day.

We discovered circuses choosing to force animals like horses, ponies, donkeys, birds, and even cats and dogs into performing difficult and dangerous tricks. We observed evidence of injury and neglect, as well as a consistent failure to adhere to the conditions of the performing animals license that animal circuses must hold. Due to our findings, we had no choice but to conclude that the licensing scheme intended to protect animals in circuses did no such thing, and the only solution is abolition. We must end animal circuses now.

The circus season lasts from spring to autumn, so we need our supporters to keep their eyes peeled for circuses that might be using animals, and report them to us! We can then add the site to our interactive map so that local residents can mobilise to protest, and where possible contact the landowners or venue to ask them to refuse permission for animal performances on their land!

What we are launching today is a collaborative action, to draw together real animal lovers from across the country to unite to identify, oppose, and end animal circuses for good! 

This is a fight on two fronts. As local residents and activists take on individual circuses and those that facilitate them in their areas, we are also appealing for legislative change in government. We have an active petition to the UK government to ban all animals from travelling and performing with circuses. With both a grassroots and a parliamentary approach, we believe we can see a complete end to animal circuses within the next few years.

You can help

REPORT a circus to us using our online form

SIGN our petition to end circus cruelty

MOBILISE against animal circuses in your area using the interactive map

DONATE to keep actions like these going