Note from our director

Welcome to this summer edition of Release – we are almost halfway through 2023 and what a busy year it has been so far

Thanks to you, we have been able to carry out more investigations including that at South Lakes Zoo. We have uncovered a litany of problems and are once again calling on the local authority to close this horrendous zoo. The animals must be moved to true sanctuaries where they can be assessed for release or allowed to live out their lives in peace.

Our campaigns team Laura and Isobel, supported by our fantastic volunteers, have also been working across a number of projects on zoos, mobile zoos and aquariums. Amazingly and thanks to your help, we have successfully opposed an application for a new zoo in Cheshire. We are also currently working with local animal rights activists in Nottinghamshire on another, to do the same there.

Laura Tomlinson who was our Office Administrator, Fundraising and Communications Officer for three years has now moved on to the role of Fundraising Manager. Laura is thoroughly enjoying working to ensure we can continue to campaign for an end to keeping animals in captivity.

I am also delighted to welcome Rebecca (Bex) Barlow as our new Office Administrator. Bex is a fantastic addition to our team and has already settled in well, providing support for our campaigns and fundraising work.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal supporters for your continued support and generosity. We are so grateful to all who make our work for animals possible by donating, volunteering, and helping to take action for animals!

Thank you and have a great summer.

More updates on cruel reptile markets

Following the successful campaign to stop reptile markets last year, we are continuing to work with our friends at Animal Protection Agency and World Animal Protection to prevent organisers from securing other venues.

Unfortunately, we have heard that a venue in Milton Keynes has agreed to host future events, so we have written to them informing them of the suffering of animals and illegal selling of reptiles including snakes, lizards, and geckos. We have also informed Milton Keynes City Council and asked them to get behind our campaign to end these cruel markets.

In order to prevent these markets permanently in the future, FFA, APA and WAP presented evidence of illegal sales and poor animal welfare as part of DEFRA’s post-implementation review of the Animal Activities Licence Regulations, 2018. We do not believe that these regulations are sufficient to protect animals and are calling on DEFRA to ban such events and activities.

The exotic pet trade is incredibly cruel, thanks to you we will continue to fight for the animals that are far too often forgotten and ignored!