Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Licensing Team is receiving praise for their swift and decisive actions leading to the cancellation of a reptile and amphibian market scheduled to take place at Churchdown Community Centre in Gloucester on August 3rd, 2024. After examining evidence indicating potential illegal animal trading at the event, Licensing Officers alerted the Community Centre, which made the responsible decision to cancel. In light of the common practice for reptile and amphibian market organizers to seek out new venues at short notice, animal welfare groups are now reaching out to venues in the South West to caution against hosting any reptile-related events.
Venues in Gloucestershire and surrounding areas are being warned about the deceptive tactics used by reptile market organizers, who often mislabel their events as “breeders meetings”, “shows”, or “exhibitions”. It is not until the events take place that venues and local councils realize they are actually commercial exotic animal markets. In fact, trading in pet animals over market stalls has been prohibited since 1983 through an amendment to the Pet Animals Act 1951, in order to prevent the mistreatment of animals in temporary and makeshift environments.
Reptiles and amphibians endure deplorable conditions at these markets, where they are displayed and sold in small, plastic takeaway tubs, unable to move or stretch, deprived of food, water, and hiding spaces, and subjected to the stresses of inappropriate lighting, temperature, and humidity. Scientific research has shown that behavioral indicators of stress and suffering are common among reptiles at these events.
Elaine Toland, Director of the Animal Protection Agency, expresses gratitude to Tewkesbury Council and the Churchdown Community Centre for their actions in preventing this market from taking place. She also urges any venue owners who may be approached by the “South West Reptile Club” to host this event to contact the Animal Protection Agency at info@apa.org.uk. She hopes that by doing so, wild animals will be spared from the ordeal of being traded in such appalling conditions.
Dr. Charlotte Regan, Wildlife Campaign Manager for World Animal Protection, also welcomes the news of the cancelled reptile market, emphasizing that reptiles and amphibians are sentient animals with complex welfare needs, not commodities to be exploited by the pet trade. She urges other venues and local authorities across the UK to be vigilant in preventing these outdated events from taking place.
Laura Walton, Campaigns Manager for Freedom for Animals, commends the Churchdown Community Centre for making the right decision in cancelling the commercially-driven reptile market, and thanks Tewkesbury Council for ensuring the Centre was able to make an informed choice. She calls on other venues to follow suit and refuse to host these events, in order to prevent animal suffering and uphold the law.
In addition to the welfare concerns, reptiles and amphibians also carry Salmonella bacteria, which can cause illness in humans, particularly in vulnerable groups such as children. It is especially concerning that the organizers of the cancelled event targeted families with young children through activities like face-painting and coloring. It is not only attendees at these markets who are at risk, but also subsequent venue users who may be exposed to contaminated surfaces.
The Animal Protection Agency urges anyone who is approached to host the South West Reptile Club event to contact them at info@apa.org.uk. This will not only prevent animal suffering, but also protect the health and safety of those who may come into contact with the event’s aftermath.
