Freedom for Animals has momentus news to share with you today. No animals will be forced to suffer at Todmorden Country Fair this year!

We recently called on the event organisers to cancel the cruel exploitative wild animal exhibitions they had planned in 2025, and we have now received the news that they have instead made the decision to cancel the whole event.

Thanks to approximately 900 of you taking action alongside us against the animal cruelty that would have taken place at the event, both in the local community and online, this incredible result for animals has been achieved! 

In April we launched an online action urging supporters to contact event organisers, after details emerged of their plans to include:

• Camel Racing: using animals hired from Joseph’s Amazing Camels – a business with links to exploitative circus-style entertainment.
  
  

• Walk on the Wild Side Animal Encounters: a mobile zoo subjecting wild animals to forced public handling in unnatural, noisy environments.
  
  

• Free Spirits Live Horse and Falcon Experience: a combined equestrian and falconry show in which birds of prey have been dangerously trained to fly between and under moving horses.

At Freedom for Animals we, like you, oppose all forms of animal exploitation, and so we knew we had to take a stand against such terrible exploitation and cruelty. And the public response was overwhelming! Hundreds of animal advocates took action alongside us, by writing to the organisers and voicing their concern for the animals.

And they listened!

The below quote is taken from a statement they shared on their website:

This decision has not been made lightly, but in light of recent concerns raised by Freedom for Animals regarding animal welfare, we believe it is necessary to take time to review and address these issues thoroughly.

This is a significant step forward, not just for the animals who would have been involved this year, but for setting a precedent for future events.

"We are thrilled that Todmorden Country Fair has taken the compassionate decision to cancel these exploitative animal acts. There is no place for outdated, harmful entertainment that uses live animals. We thank everyone who took the time to speak out – this outcome shows the power of collective action." - Freedom for Animals.

Events like this should be an opportunity to bring communities together and celebrate local culture – not to exploit animals for amusement and profit. We will continue to advocate for an end to the use of animals in entertainment and support organisers in choosing ethical and animal-free alternatives.

You can donate here to help us continue this vital fight for animal freedom! Without you, incredible results like this would not be possible.