Help in ending the mistreatment of Reindeers

A recent WSPA video investigation has revealed that one of the holiday's most popular symbols - the reindeer - is being subjected to immense suffering in large-scale round-ups and slaughter in Sweden and Finland.

Our video footage may appear particularly disturbing, especially at this time of year, but it is a stark portrayal of the gruesome reality of the commercial reindeer meat trade: herds of panicked reindeer are rounded up, dragged and shoved onto trucks bound for slaughter. Along the way, they face further suffering from mistreatment, starvation and disease. Finally, those who make it to the slaughterhouse struggle and kick as they are killed with knives.

This cruelty cannot be allowed to continue.

Traditionally, reindeer husbandry, the act of raising reindeer for meat and hides, has been carried out in Sweden and Finland on a small scale for purposes of sustainability, with minimum distress to the animals. However, over the past several decades, the process has become largely commercial and has dramatically altered the way these gentle animals are treated. Visuals from our investigation detail the reindeer's extreme suffering at every stage of the commercial process.

It is clear that transport and slaughterhouse operators are in violation of existing legislation in Sweden and Finland, which explicitly state that no undue distress, pain or suffering be caused to animals.

WSPA is calling for existing animal welfare laws in Sweden and Finland to be enforced, and we need your help: Please sign your name to our letter asking the Nordic Council of Ministers to uphold existing animal welfare laws to protect reindeer from this atrocious cruelty.

Thank you for taking action and for your compassion for animals.