An urgent action: Write to your MP to protect rights for Reindeer!

A new Bill would weaken protections for reindeer used in attractions and see reindeer reclassified as ‘domesticated’ animals – you can help stop it.

Reindeer have only been in the United Kingdom for a few decades, and most of them were imported from Scandinavia where they live alongside the Sámi people. Sámi herders don’t keep reindeer in zoos or behind bars, they migrate with them, allowing them to retain many more wild instincts than any animal we would call ‘domesticated’ in the UK. These instincts make them feel threatened when separated from their herds, frightened in loud and uncomfortable environments, and vulnerable to many health conditions that most people have no idea about.

The proposed Reindeer (Licensing for Exhibition) Bill proposes that we reclassify reindeer as ‘domesticated’ which would allow almost anyone to open a visitor attraction using these sensitive animals as the exhibits, without the need for a zoo licence.

Reindeer need more legal protections, not less. Write to your MP today to ask them to oppose the Reindeer (Licensing for Exhibition) Bill.