10th March 2025

Late last year Freedom for Animals spent time working closely with grassroots animal rights group, Lancaster Animal Protection (LAP). Members of LAP had approached us for help opposing Lancaster Business Improvement District (BID)’s annual ‘Reindeer Day’. This event saw reindeer transported 300 miles from the Cairngorm National Park to be exhibited in a busy shopping arcade. We are now delighted to bring you the news that we have now seen confirmation that there will be no ‘Reindeer Day’ in Lancaster in 2025!

This is a huge victory, and it is a testament to the power of individuals, and grassroots action. We worked with LAP to help set up and promote their petition, speak to local businesses, and protest at Lancaster BID events. The support we received from local businesses was incredibly strong, and 1,831 signatures later, the petition is now closed having achieved its aim!

Our annual campaign to oppose reindeer events has been going from strength to strength each year. Last year, we successfully opposed planning applications for two reindeer farm attractions, and saw 43 events that we had written to about their use of reindeer in 2023 choose to be reindeer-free in 2024! This is all thanks to teamwork and public support, and we owe a great deal of thanks to our colleagues at OneKind, Animal Aid, Born Free Foundation, and North East Animal Rights, as well as thousands of individuals across the country who have contributed to our campaign actions. We are making great progress, and if this continues, we will see the end of reindeer events at Christmas sooner than you might think!

This victory belongs to the community in Lancaster who came together to oppose reindeer events, but also to everyone who helped us to help them. Whether you signed the petition, donated to fund our work, or bought a winter raffle ticket, you were a part of this great step forward for reindeer. Subscribe below to continue to be part of a brighter future for animals.