Freedom for Animals
{{Short description|English charity campaigning to end the use of animals in entertainment}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Freedom for Animals
| logo =
| logo_alt = Freedom for Animals logo
| size =
| alt =
| abbreviation = FFA
| formation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1957}}
| type = Charitable organisation
| purpose = Animal rights, animal welfare
| headquarters = Manchester
| location = United Kingdom
| leader_title = Director
| leader_name = Dr Andrew Kelly
| website = {{URL|https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/}}
}}
Freedom for Animals (FFA) is the working name of the Captive Animals' Protection Society, a charity registered in England campaigning to end the display of animals in zoos,{{cite web|title=Zoos|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/zoos|publisher=Captive Animals Protection Society|accessdate=25 July 2022}}{{cite web|title=10 facts about zoos|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/blog/10-facts-about-zoos|publisher=Captive Animals Protection Society|accessdate=25 July 2022}}{{cite web|title=Controversial Plans for a New Zoo in Cheshire|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/news/controversial-plans-for-a-new-zoo-in-cheshire|publisher=Captive Animals Protection Society|accessdate=25 July 2022}} and the use of animals in entertainment, such as circuses, the exotic pet trade and the audio-visual industry.
History
File:Syrcas y Brodyr Robert, y Trallwng, 1956.jpg
Freedom for Animals was founded as the Captive Animals' Protection Society in 1957 by retired school teacher Irene Heaton, at a time when circuses were at their peak and all had animals.{{cite web|title=Our History|url=http://www.captiveanimals.org/about-us/our-history|publisher=Captive Animals Protection Society|accessdate=1 January 2013}} Former Mayor of Woolwich John W. Andrews has also been cited as a founder and first secretary.{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0004585%2F19591117&page=1|title=Only A Few Voted For Inspector's Removal|newspaper=Lewisham Borough News|date=November 17, 1959|page=1|url-access=subscription}}{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0004585%2F19570326&page=4|title=New Animal Society|newspaper=Lewisham Borough News|date=March 26, 1957|page=4|url-access=subscription}}{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0002134%2F19570314&page=25|title=Captive Animals Protection Society|newspaper=The Birmingham Post & Gazette|date=March 14, 1957|page=3|url-access=subscription}}{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0002134%2F19570318&page=30|title=Not Cranks|newspaper=The Birmingham Post & Gazette|date=March 18, 1957|page=4|url-access=subscription}} The first meeting of the organisation was held at Lady Margaret Hall Settlement, Kennington Road on March 23, 1957. Upon its founding there were 30 members including Arthur Skeffington. The main aim of the organisation was to press for legislation against the use of performing animals. John W. Andrews commented that it is "unnatural and cruel to see an elephant sitting on a bucket or lion jumping through a hoop. Most of the training is done abroad and cruelty will not be easy to prove, but I feel this specialised job can be done now through this new society".
In 1965, FFA promoted a bill to the House of Lords, sponsored by Lord Somers (who was then president of FFA) to prohibit the use of performing animals. Despite much support it was defeated by just 14 votes.{{cite web|title=Performing Animals Bill (H.L.)|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1965/feb/16/performing-animals-bill-hl|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|date=16 February 1965}}
The 1970s saw FFA organising demonstrations outside circuses. Pressure increased on animal circuses in the 1980s, gaining the support of the National Council of Women and local authorities started to prohibit circuses from using council land.
From 1975 to 1997, Sir Andrew Bowden served as its National President.{{cite web|url=http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/browse/b/5829/Andrew+BOWDEN.aspx|title=Sir Andrew Bowden, MBE Authorised Biography|publisher=Debrett's People of Today|date=|accessdate=2012-12-30}}
In the mid-1980s FFA started a campaign to end animal acts at the prestigious Blackpool Tower Circus, where for six months of every year the animals were confined in the cellars of the tower.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Three years later, it was announced that animal acts would stop at the circus once the contract expired in 1990.{{cite news|last=Acford|first=Louise|title=Animal welfare champion dies at 87|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1300581.animal_welfare_champion_dies_at_87/|newspaper=The Argus|date=2 April 2007|accessdate=2017-03-08}} When the circus owner moved to the adjoining Pleasure Beach there were weekly demonstrations.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Backed by vets and other experts, the campaign worked and in 1997 Blackpool Pleasure Beach announced there would be no more animal circuses on its land.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}
FFA became a registered charity in 2008. In March 2018 FFA changed its name from the Captive Animals Protection Society to Freedom for Animals.
Campaigns
FFA has carried out investigations into both the zoo and circus industries in the UK and Ireland{{cite news|title=Restrictions on petting at criticised animal farm|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8600143.stm|newspaper=BBC News|date=1 April 2010|accessdate=8 March 2017|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/8310757.stm |title=Zoo admits connection with circus |publisher=BBC News |date=19 October 2009 |accessdate=2012-12-30}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20131124033936/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/National/article322726.ece Daniel Foggo, 20 June 2010, "Woburn animals' secret suffering in cramped cages" at thesundaytimes.co.uk] Accessed 7 March 2017[http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/349127/Fury-as-Britain-s-top-zoos-are-hired-out-for-wild-raves "Fury as Britain's top zoos are hired out for wild raves" at express.co.uk] and has carried out and published various research projects relating to the use of animals in entertainment. The organisation founded and manages the annual Zoo Awareness Weekend event, which seeks to encourage public debate on the zoo industry from ethical, animal welfare, educational and conservation perspectives.{{cite news|title=Animal rights activists get teeth into zoo|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/animal-rights-activists-get-teeth-into-zoo-1-1023435|newspaper=The Scotsman|date=28 August 2004}}
In 2004 it commissioned the largest and most in-depth investigation ever made into the public aquarium industry, revealing most animals to have been taken from the wild and disputing conservation claims by the industry.[http://www.iol.co.za/scitech/technology/findings-may-sink-britain-s-aquariums-1.228084 "findings may sink Britain's aquariums" at iol.co.za][https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242545995_AQUATIC_ZOOS_A_critical_study_of_UK_public_aquaria_in_the_year_2004 "Aquatic Zoos. A critical study of UK public aquaria in the year 2004" ]
In 2011 a report was released which highlighted the charity's concerns over the efficacy of legal protection of animals in zoos in England. The report raised queries over the enforcement of the lawThe Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and suggested that the system of inspection for zoos that is currently in place is unworkable.
In 2012 FFA established the AnimalPledge.org scheme which seeks to encourage the media industry to refrain from the use of performing wild animals in productions. The project was established in partnership with the Ape Alliance.[http://www.4apes.com/ "Find out about the apes - our relatives - and how you can help to save them from extinction" at 4apes.com] Accessed 7 March 2017
In 2013 FFA launched a new campaign entitled the "Fight for Flight". The campaign seeks to outlaw the practice of pinioning of birds in zoos. The charity's research found that the practice was being carried out illegally by members of the zoo industry.[http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/395283/Zoos-chop-birds-wings-in-half-to-keep-them-captive "Zoos chop birds wings in half to keep them captive" at express.co.uk]
Campaigning against the use of animals in circuses has remained a core focus, supporting protests against travelling circuses around the UK.{{cite news|title=Animal group urges circus boycott |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/gloucestershire/3725055.stm| newspaper=BBC News| date=18 May 2004}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/4666850.Call_for_residents_to_boycott_controversial_cir/ |title=Animal protection group urge residents to boycott controversial circus |publisher=Thurrock Gazette |date=2009-10-06 |accessdate=2012-12-30}}{{cite news|title=Public urged to boycott big top|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/8079036.stm|newspaper=BBC News|date=2 June 2009}}{{cite news|title=Protest over Big Top animal acts|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4702074.stm|newspaper=BBC News|date=11 February 2006}}{{cite news|title=Protesters demand circus boycott|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lincolnshire/4957550.stm|newspaper=BBC News|date=29 April 2006}}{{cite news|title='We love our animals': Circus boss hits back at call for big top boycott|url=http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/local/we-love-our-animals-circus-boss-hits-back-at-call-for-big-top-boycott-1-1913322|newspaper=Halifax Courier|date=19 June 2008}}
The organisation has frequently expressed an opposition to zoos of any form.{{cite web|title=Zoos Set to Reopen on 15th June|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/news/zoos-set-to-reopen-on-15th-june|publisher=Captive Animals Protection Society|accessdate=25 July 2022}}{{cite web|title=Open Letter to Boris Johnson: No More Zoo Funding|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/news/open-letter-to-boris-johnson-no-more-zoo-funding|publisher=Captive Animals Protection Society|accessdate=25 July 2022}}{{cite web|title=Coronavirus Crisis Makes It Clear: Stop Keeping Wild Animals Captive|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/news/coronavirus-stop-wild-animals-captive|publisher=Captive Animals Protection Society|accessdate=25 July 2022}}{{cite news|title=Is it time to shut down the zoos?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/02/zoos-time-shut-down-conservation-education-wild-animals|work=The Guardian|date=2 February 2020 |accessdate=25 July 2022|last1=McKie |first1=Robin }}
Patrons
The charity's patrons are:
- Marc Bekoff,{{cite web|title=Patrons|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/Pages/Category/patrons|website=www.freedomforanimals.org.uk|publisher=The Captive Animals' Protection Society (working as Freedom for Animals)|accessdate=9 June 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609142847/https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/Pages/Category/patrons|archivedate=9 June 2019|location=Manchester|df=dmy-all|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Professor Marc Bekoff|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/professor-marc-bekoff|website=www.freedomforanimals.org.uk|publisher=The Captive Animals' Protection Society (working as Freedom for Animals)|accessdate=9 June 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609142106/https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/professor-marc-bekoff|archivedate=9 June 2019|location=Manchester|df=dmy-all|url-status=live}} Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado
- Britta Jaschinski,{{cite web|title=Britta Jaschinski|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/britta-jaschinski|website=www.freedomforanimals.org.uk|publisher=The Captive Animals' Protection Society (working as Freedom for Animals)|accessdate=9 June 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609141005/https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/britta-jaschinski|archivedate=9 June 2019|location=Manchester|df=dmy-all|url-status=live}} photographer
- Randy Malamud,{{cite web|title=Professor Randy Malamud|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/professor-randy-malamud|website=www.freedomforanimals.org.uk|publisher=The Captive Animals' Protection Society (working as Freedom for Animals)|accessdate=9 June 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609141008/https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/professor-randy-malamud|archivedate=9 June 2019|location=Manchester|df=dmy-all|url-status=live}} professor of English at Georgia State University
- Fiona Oakes,{{cite web|title=Fiona Oakes|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/fiona-oakes|website=www.freedomforanimals.org.uk|publisher=The Captive Animals' Protection Society (working as Freedom for Animals)|accessdate=9 June 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609141420/https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/fiona-oakes|archivedate=9 June 2019|location=Manchester|df=dmy-all|url-status=live}} elite marathon runner
- Angela Smith, Baroness Smith of Basildon,{{cite web|title=Angela Smith - Baroness Smith of Basildon|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/angela-smith-baroness-smith-of-basildon|website=www.freedomforanimals.org.uk|publisher=The Captive Animals' Protection Society (working as Freedom for Animals)|accessdate=9 June 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609135926/https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/angela-smith-baroness-smith-of-basildon|archivedate=9 June 2019|location=Manchester|df=dmy-all|url-status=live}} Labour Co-operative life peer and former Member of Parliament and government minister
- Peter Tatchell,{{cite web|title=Peter Tatchell|url=https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/peter-tatchell|website=www.freedomforanimals.org.uk|publisher=The Captive Animals' Protection Society (working as Freedom for Animals)|accessdate=9 June 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609141007/https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/peter-tatchell|archivedate=9 June 2019|location=Manchester|df=dmy-all|url-status=live}} human rights campaigner