Release Winter 2024

Release

Winter 2024

A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF FREEDOM FOR ANIMALS

CONTENTS

BECAUSE OF YOU! Brand new report into UK circuses is launched Page 1 Demands for Sea Life penguins release grows Page 3 Cruel reptile markets action success Page 4 UK’s worst zoo has another inspection Page 6 Ending Animal Exploitation at Christmas begins again Page 7

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UK animal circuses exposed in new report Lives Left Behind Your donations fund new investigation into animal circuses, exposing animals constantly on the move, living in fear, and some even being sold as pets Five years on since the Wild Animals in Circuses Act 2019, thanks to you, Freedom for Animals has carried out a review of the impact of the new legislation for all animals.

Observing all five animal circuses in the UK, investigators found:

Release | Winter 2024 | www.freedomforanimals.org.uk

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Animals being moved on average every 9 days Animals including horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, pigeons and doves, llamas, chickens, geese, dogs, cats, and goats Animals suffering fear and injury Animals exhibiting abnormal behaviours - a sign of stress One circus found travelling with a camel had been approved to bring a wild animal on tour Animals being sold as ‘pets’ General conditions of licences ignored

The evidence from this report is clear - circuses are putting performances ahead of animals’ wellbeing.

It’s time circuses went animal-free! With your support, we won’t stop campaigning until this becomes reality!

Animals continue to suffer in UK circuses.

The introduction of the Wild Animals in Circuses Act 2019 was a huge success for animals, animal rights, groups and individuals, who have spent decades campaigning against the cruel exploitation of animals for entertainment.

However, UK circuses are not free of animals, and not free from misery, because animals classed as ‘domestic’ are still being exploited.

During this recent investigation, investigators witnessed animals showing visible signs of distress and discomfort, with some attempting to flee from performances. Investigators also saw animals potentially injuring themselves or others during incidents, and then being made to continue with the performance.

Whilst no wild animal can now perform, they are still allowed to travel, like the camels still forced to travel with Peter Jolly’s Circus. These animals are not protected from the stresses of regular confinement and travel.

Since the release of this report, Freedom for Animals has sent a copy to every MP in the new government. Plus, each Local Authority, asking them to enact local policies preventing animal circuses using public land.

Our research clearly shows that life for animals in circuses is a difficult one, and ‘domestic’ animals deserve the same protections as wild animals.

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Thanks to your donations, this campaign will continue until ALL animals are free from pain, fear and distress.

TAKE ACTION Please support this important campaign for animals. We are demanding an end to ALL animals being forced to perform in UK circuses.

You can read the report and sign the petition here: www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/ action-lives-left-behind

Penguins in this photograph live in a basement aquarium with no sunlight and a pitiful pool to swim in

Calls for Sea Life to release and rehome the gentoo penguins get louder!

As you know, this campaign was launched earlier this year and since then it has been going from strength to strength. This would not have been possible without YOU! Working alongside the Daily Express to get national attention, this campaign has now been discussed on BBC radio and on Jeremy Vine on TV, and the story has featured in multiple press outlets.

Since the last edition of Release, an open letter has been sent to Sea Life London Aquarium and Merlin Entertainments who own Sea Life, demanding the release of the gentoo penguins to an appropriate sanctuary. This has been signed by Chris Packham, Dale Vince, various vets and animal protection organisations, and many more.

Plus, there are now multiple MPs supporting an Early Day Motion for parliamentary debate with Danny Chambers, Vet and Liberal Democrat MP

for Winchester leading the way. He has stated “Sea Life, it is time to do the right thing and begin the March of the Penguins. Let’s free the gentoo penguins.”

There have also been regular demonstrations outside Sea Life London Aquarium which have deterred visitors from paying to see cruelty.

Freedom for Animals would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in this campaign.

It really couldn’t be possible without everyone coming together to fight for these animals. To the volunteers who helped launch this campaign and to the London activists who are out in the streets advocating for these penguins and for all animals in captivity - Thank you!

TAKE ACTION Please sign and share the petition and demand Sea Life London Aquarium release these penguins www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/ action-sea-life-penguins

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This is how animals are kept when displayed at these cruel markets.

Freedom for Animals has been continuing our work against this cruelty with our friends at Animal Protection Agency (APA) and World Animal Protection (WAP).

Thanks to your dedicated help, numerous actions have been carried out against these markets which has made it more difficult than ever for reptile traders to continue exploiting animals for profit!

Victories for reptiles continue As you may know, reptiles are kept in appalling conditions and sold as if they were basic commodities at cruel reptile markets.

So far we have seen the IHS Milton Keynes event cancelled and the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham commiting to no longer hosting reptile events. The last two actions saw over 1000 of you take action for animals… so thank you!

Together we will see the end of these exploitative markets!

Christmas campaigning begins again Your support, enthusiasm and commitment for this campaign is clear every year, and every year there are amazing victories for animals.

Freedom for Animals has once again joined forces with Animal Aid, Born Free, and OneKind, and work began early to make this year’s campaign more impactful than ever.

There will be a new interactive map for you to engage with, alongside new actions against those discovered using live reindeer.

So watch this space!

Last year 153 events across the UK were identified to have gone animal-free since 2018. All these events have stopped using animals since they received letters or actions from you. Plus, 31 of these stopped using reindeer just last year. Together we can keep growing this number until all festive events are animal free!

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TAKE ACTION Please check out the new map on our website and contact events in your area or countrywide! www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/ reindeer-events-map

Note from our director Welcome to this Winter edition of Release! As ever, with your support, the team has been working very hard to campaign against the exploitation of animals for entertainment in zoos, mobile zoos, and aquariums.

Our most recent work has seen the publication of the new report on the use of animals by circuses in the UK, and we have had continued success in calling on local authorities to robustly investigate allegations of illegal selling at reptile shows.

We are also continuing to campaign for the release of the 15 gentoo penguins at Sea Life.

A windowless, basement room in the centre of London is no place for these magnificent birds. Thank you to all who have signed the petition and to those who are out on the

streets helping to spread awareness and turn people away from this cruelty.

I’d like to welcome the newest member of our team, Anna Kiousi, who has joined us in her new role of Digital Marketing and Brand Communications Manager, which will allow us to reach new audiences and spread our messages against animal suffering.

As ever, we couldn’t do any of this without you – our fantastic supporters, so a huge thank you to you all. Have a great Winter!

One last thing, we will be very soon launching a brand new investigation. I can’t say anymore right now but just know, we couldn’t have done this without you. This is an area of animal exploitation rarely challenged and it will make a huge difference to the lives of animals! I really can’t wait to share it with you!

Director

New adoption packs launched Check out our new adoptions!

Please welcome to our adoption family, Tink the red panda and Star the reindeer.

Both animals are bringing an element of sparkle to our work, whilst helping us to remember why we are here, fighting for their freedom!

Our adoptions make great gifts for that someone special, so if you are looking for a Christmas gift idea, look no further. www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/adopt-an-animal

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In July, a meeting was held by Westmorland and Furness Council to discuss the outcomes of recent inspections held at the zoo. Once again, the findings were shocking; but still the council has yet to take appropriate action. More conditions to the licence have been applied, and zoo management have been given set times by which to complete them. This is not good enough.

Animals continue to suffer at this zoo.

With your support we will continue to fight for them.

Open letter sent to council demanding closure of this notorious zoo Your support enables the campaign against Cumbria Safari Zoo (AKA South Lakes Zoo) to continue.

Freedom for Animals has published an open letter addressed to Westmorland and Furness Council asking them to do the right thing, and protect animals, staff and the public from future harm by finally closing this zoo!

The letter has had support from animal advocates including Peter Egan and Carol Royle, and will be used to keep pressure on the council, and to keep the spotlight on the zoo to ensure animal suffering does not continue to hide behind closed doors.

In our investigations earlier this year, we found animals enduring overcrowded conditions, poor infrastructure and flooding, inappropriate diets, stress, illness, injury, disease, and even death.

We do not believe the measures imposed on the zoo are going to stop animals from suffering. The only way their safety is prioritised is if the zoo is closed under Section 16B of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, and the animals rehomed to appropriate sanctuaries or in-situ conservation sites.

TAKE ACTION Want to help? Share the letter, sign the petition, and join a protest!

Read the letter and sign the petition here: www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/ News/letter-cumbria-zoo Together, we can win this fight for freedom.

Your lasting legacy for animals Want to help secure a brighter future for animals even when you’re gone?

Leaving a gift in your Will, however big or small, will make sure that you can continue to be there for vulnerable and suffering animals, even when you are no longer here.

Gifts in Wills help to fund some of our most important projects – from undercover investigations to government lobbying, all to end animal exploitation.

If you would like to know more about leaving a gift in your Will, please get in touch with Andrew on 0845 330 3911 or by email andrew@freedomforanimals.org.uk We always recommend that you also speak to a solicitor. Thank you.

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Order Campaigns Materials Thanks to you, we are able to support local groups and individuals who are out in the streets advocating for animals.

Live near a zoo or aquarium? Have a circus or mobile zoo visiting your town?

You can order leaflets and posters from our shop to help with demos, street stalls or leaflet drops: www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/shop

Your gifts will also directly help by: • Increasing awareness • Empowering people to take action • Increasing pressure on local councils • And by shining a light on the individuals affected

Save the Date for The Big Give Christmas Challenge Save the date - 3rd - 10th Dec - have your donation matched!

Thanks to ‘The Big Give Christmas Challenge’ and a small group of special donors whose pledges make this possible, we are able to offer a new matched funding appeal.

This year this will be raising vital funds for our ‘Ending Animal Exploitation at Christmas’ campaign. This matched funding means DOUBLE donations!

This means all donations received online via The Big Give website could be doubled! Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to help animals!

As you know, wild animals such as reindeer and camels are treated as props in festive events. They spend hours in cramped trailers, they are forced to parade, be displayed, and even be handled against their will by the public.

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I have witnessed first-hand the environments animals are subjected to at festive events, and they are shocking.

Christmas is supposed to be a time of care and compassion, you can help save these animals from suffering by supporting our campaign today.” - Isobel McNally - Campaigns Officer

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To help ensure reindeer are not forgotten, save the date and be ready to donate on 3rd December! www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/ ChristmasChallenge2024 Thank you!

(*Note: Donations must be made via The Big Give (link above) between 12.00 3rd - 12.00 10th Dec 2024 to be matched).

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YES I want to become a Freedom Champion Become a Freedom Champion for animals, by setting up a monthly donation today.

Set up a hassle-free, monthly direct debit on our website: www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/freedomchampion Or set up a standing order using the form provided.

Our Freedom Champions are at the forefront of everything we do and help us to make plans in advance and be much more effective for animals.

By setting up a monthly gift, of any amount of your choosing, you can become a Freedom Champion. You will fuel vital work all year round to help vulnerable and suffering animals.

Will you join us as a Freedom Champion today? £5 a month could equip grassroots groups with materials to demonstrate outside of a zoo, turning customers away from cruelty £10 a month will power our work with whistleblowers, uncovering the hidden truth of animal suffering £20 a month could help fund an undercover investigation to expose the horrors of captivity and enable us to seek justice for animals Your monthly gift will drive behind-the-scenes actions to help animals.

When you join us today you will receive our new Freedom Champion sign-up pack: • • • •

A welcome letter Our new funky Freedom Champion pin badge 15% off all of our merchandise Our supporter newsletter Release, twice a year

So please, visit www.freedomforanimals.org. uk/freedomchampion and join us as a Freedom Champion, or complete the standing order form included.

For too long animals have been exploited by people and companies who have stripped them of their rights and used them for whatever purpose they wish.

Together we can fight back and use our passion and determination to make a difference.

Until all are free!

Need to get in touch about anything else? Our new address is 83 Ducie Street, Manchester, M1 2JQ. Or you can call us on 0845 330 3911, email office@freedomforanimals.org.uk You can update how you receive communications from us by visiting our website or emailing us at office@freedomforanimals.org.uk 8 | Release | Winter 2024