Take action for animals

Animals need your voice.
This page features a range of ongoing campaigns and urgent actions you can take to stand up for animals—whether it's signing a petition, sending an email, attending a protest, or spreading the word. Every action counts, and together, we can create real change.

Below you'll find current opportunities to help, starting Stop Live Export South Africa's campaign to end live animal exports.

Help end the cruel and unnecessary transport of live animals from South Africa.

Right now, animals are being shipped across long distances in crowded, stressful conditions—many without adequate food, water, or veterinary care. This is not only inhumane but often in breach of international welfare regulations.

By banning live animal exports by sea, as South Africans we can uphold our commitment to animal welfare, ensure humane treatment, and foster a more compassionate society. We urge the government to act swiftly to end this inhumane practice and prioritise the well-being of our animals.

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… to be informed when the new Live Export regulations are released, so you can have your say and demand a ban.

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Ferry company action for Ban Live Exports

Live export is cruel, unnecessary, and causes immense suffering for vulnerable young animals.

While countries like Great Britain have banned the trade and Australia is phasing it out, major ferry companies in the EU are taking a step backwards. This year, Brittany Ferries resumed transporting live animals from Ireland to France after a 30-year break—joining Irish Ferries and Stena Line in supporting this brutal trade.

Thousands of unweaned calves—crowded, hungry, and exhausted—endure 18-hour journeys without the legally required milk replacer. Over 140,000 calves have already made this journey in 2025 alone, in breach of EU regulations. Their suffering doesn’t stop at sea, as many are transported even further across Europe.

Help us end this and email them now!

By sending an email to the companies involved, you can speak up for these animals and demand they stop supporting this inhumane trade.

Contact details

In the EU, 3 ferry companies are involved with the live transport of farmed animals from Ireland. The journeys to France last 18 hours, but the horror doesn’t end there. Once reaching Cherbourg Port in France, journeys can continue to Poland (50 hour total journey time) or beyond to Jordan (15 days total journey time). Contact them now to urge them to stop their involvement in live exports.

Brittany Ferries
Christophe Mathieu, CEO
existing.bookings@brittanyferries.com

Stena Line
Niclas Mårtensson, CEO
contact.uk.claims@stenaline.com

Irish Ferries
Eamonn Rothwell, CEO
info@irishferries.com

Choose an email template

Subject: Urgent: End Your Involvement in Live Animal Exports

Dear Customer Services,
I am writing to urge you to end your involvement in the live export of farmed animals. This trade causes immense suffering, as animals are subjected to cramped and stressful conditions during long journeys.

In particular, EU regulations require that unweaned calves—who have been removed from their mothers—must be fed milk substitute while being transported. However, this is not happening on your ships, meaning these regulations are being breached.

The EU Commission has stated that, in its view, the transportation of unweaned calves from Ireland to France violates these laws. Could you please explain why your company continues to allow this?

I strongly urge you to end your involvement in this abominable trade for all farmed animals.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Subject: Please End Your Role in Live Animal Exports

Dear Customer Services,
I am writing to express my concern about your ongoing role in live exports of farmed animals. These journeys cause enormous distress, with animals confined in overcrowded, stressful conditions for extended periods.

Unweaned calves, in particular, suffer immensely. EU regulations require these vulnerable animals to receive milk replacer during transport—but this is not being provided. This is a clear violation of animal welfare laws.

The EU Commission has stated that the transport of unweaned calves from Ireland to France, as conducted on your vessels, is in breach of these regulations. Why is this being allowed to continue?

I urge you to immediately end your involvement in this inhumane trade.

Kind regards,
[Your Name]

Subject: Stop the Cruelty of Live Animal Transport

Dear Customer Services,
I’m reaching out as someone deeply troubled by your company’s involvement in the live export of animals. These animals are subjected to long, grueling journeys in cramped conditions, causing them extreme stress and suffering.

It’s especially worrying that unweaned calves, taken from their mothers far too early, are not receiving the milk substitute required by EU regulations. This failure to provide essential care breaches animal welfare laws.

Even the EU Commission has acknowledged that the transport of these calves from Ireland to France breaks the rules. Why are these violations continuing on your ships?

Please take a stand against this cruelty and end your role in this trade.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Subject: End Your Participation in Live Animal Exports

Dear Customer Services,
Live export is a cruel and outdated practice, and I urge you to end your involvement in it immediately. Animals face long, overcrowded journeys in harsh, unnatural conditions that often result in extreme suffering.

Your ships transport unweaned calves who are not being fed as required by EU law. This is not only unethical—it is illegal. The EU Commission has confirmed that the current transport of calves from Ireland to France breaches these laws.

Why is your company still allowing this to happen?

It’s time to step away from this inhumane trade and prioritize compassion and compliance.

Regards,
[Your Name]

Every action matters.

Thank you for being a voice for the voiceless.