Campaign Spotlight - Freedom for Animals

Freedom for Animals began as the Captive Animals’ Protection Society in 1957, and is one of
the UK’s longest-running animal rights charities.

Our work focuses predominantly on issues affecting animals held captive for human
entertainment in circuses, zoos, aquariums and mobile zoos. We fight for their collective
freedom by using a combination of tactics, such as carrying out undercover investigations,
research, campaigns, grassroots activism, political lobbying and education.

For more than 60 years, we have been on the front lines in the fight for freedom. Our vision for
animal liberation has never wavered over the many years we have campaigned for their rights,
and together, as a movement, we will succeed in opening the cages.

So please join us for a quick snapshot into the work we do, and how you can help animals
escape a lifetime of cruel captivity. Because for animal freedom to be achieved, we need you!

Should Vegans Visit Zoos: How Much Does a Day Trip Truly Cost to Animal's Lives?

Freedom for Animals fights for the freedom of animals held captive for entertainment across a variety of industries, and spreads awareness on the many misleading and incorrect claims the industry advertises to the public to make money. Zoos and aquariums etc are often less talked about in the animal rights community, with many claims of conservation still widely discussed. We aim to shine a light on the truth of what animals must endure in these institutions, and debunk some of the myths, such as conservation and education claims, surrounding them.

How to Close Down your Local Zoo or Circus

…using grassroots activism to end animal exploitation in zoos and circuses.
Join Freedom for Animals for an impactful workshop which will focus on the importance of
utilising grassroots activism and tactics when targeting your local zoo or animal circus. This
workshop is designed for both seasoned activists or people wanting to step into activism; the
only necessity being that you are passionate about animal rights and eager to make a difference
for animals in your local communities!

Participants will learn why grassroots activism is a critical strategy in the fight against the
exploitation of animals in entertainment. We’ll explore how local actions; from petitions and
protests to community education and lobbying, can effectively pressure zoos and circuses to
change their practices or shut down.

Animals suffer greatly in captivity, but together our movement has all the skills, knowledge and
passion to take crucial action and drive forward the impactful campaigns needed in the fight for
animal freedom. We want to highlight the powerful role YOU can have in your community to
drive change forward, so please, join us! And be part of the movement to end animal cruelty in
your community.

Ending the Use of Animals for Entertainment

Join us for an insightful panel discussion delving into the hidden trauma animals suffer at the
hands of the animal entertainment industries.

Laura from Freedom for Animals, Molly from PETA and Michelle from Animal Rising, will join
together to discuss the harsh conditions and unethical practices of zoos, marine parks, and the
horse racing industry, to shed light on the animal exploitation that occurs within these industries,
and what we can do to help animals who are so cruelly affected by them.

The panel will examine the ethical issues surrounding animal captivity and the physical and
psychological impacts on animals used for public entertainment. From the restrictive enclosures
and forced performances in zoos and marine parks, to the dangerous and gruelling conditions of
horse racing, we will discuss the devastating realities these animals face daily, and how close
we are to making them a thing of the past.

The ultimate aim of this discussion is to raise awareness, challenge perceptions, and inspire
action, so we can’t wait to see you there! Together, as a movement, we can effectively help
animals and fight for their freedom.

Takeaways

”To highlight the core ways in which animals are used in the entertainment industries, how our collective work can end animal suffering, and why it should be a focus in the AR movement.”

Calls to Action

Protest your local zoo or circus – join the Freedom for Animals workshop on Sunday to find out more!
Head to the Freedom for Animals website to take action against zoos and aquariums today! https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/Pages/Category/take-action
Take action against the horse racing industry by following Animal Rising’s work on the issue! https://www.animalrising.org/
Join PETA and their campaign to get TUI to drop selling tickets for cruel marine parks abroad! https://secure.peta.org.uk/page/31471/action/1
Read and share the new Freedom for Animals report into the suffering of animals used in UK circuses, called ‘Lives Left Behind’! https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/action-lives-left-behind

Further Resources

PETA UK blog on their campaign to get TUI to cease the selling of orca exploitation: https://www.peta.org.uk/blog/tui/
Animal Rising Horse Racing Summary: https://www.animalrising.org/post/horse-racing-a-summary-from-animal-rising
Freedom for Animals website which has detailed information on the many ways in which animals are used in zoos, aquariums, mobile zoos and circuses: https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/
Freedom for Animals aquarium report, A Study of the Conservation Status of
Species Held in British Aquariums: https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/aquariums-and-conservation-in-great-britain
PETA UK marine parks campaign work in focus: https://tinyurl.com/395znmbr