Animal rights organisations have once again launched a campaign against a long-standing, legal event which was due to be held at Woodbank Garden Centre on Wednesday 11 June, 2025. The event, organized by the International Herpetological Society (IHS), was set to feature the sale of surplus captive-bred reptiles and amphibians.
However, the event has faced renewed criticism from animal activist groups such as the Animal Protection Agency (APA), World Animal Protection, and Freedom for Animals. These groups have been accused of using “bully tactics” in an ongoing effort to shut down legal animal-related events.
The IHS has strongly defended the legality and ethics of the event, stating that it meets all regulatory and welfare standards. According to an IHS spokesperson, “The event is lawful, with recent amendments to the Animal Welfare Act clearly confirming that members are permitted to sell surplus stock at such meets. These events have never had any animal welfare issues, and we always ensure high welfare standards.”
In fact, every breeders’ meet is attended by two independent veterinarians, representatives from the local council, DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), and other regulatory bodies. The event strictly prohibits the sale of wild-caught animals and only allows for the sale of captive-bred species. Additionally, animals are housed in transport containers for short-term movement only, with continuous monitoring by vets to ensure welfare requirements are met at all times.
Responding to recent concerns, Woodbank Garden Centre confirmed that the breeders’ event is a separate function from its pet shop operations. A meeting with the local council in late May resulted in no concerns over licensing or animal welfare. A few procedural recommendations were made and promptly implemented by the organisers.
According to the event’s organisers, the recent attacks from animal activist groups are part of a larger strategy to end all forms of animal captivity, including regulated events, pet ownership, and responsible breeding. They argue that these organisations often generate significant revenue through emotional campaigns, which can be misleading to the public and advance their anti-captivity agenda.
Critics of these groups fear that their ultimate goal may be the complete removal of animals from private care and regulated exhibition, an approach that many see as extreme and counterproductive.
Despite these challenges, the breeders’ meet at Woodbank Garden Centre remains fully compliant with the law and continues to operate with transparency and oversight. Organisers have stated that they will not be deterred by what they view as coordinated misinformation campaigns aimed at shutting down legal and responsible animal-related activities.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.