Dear John,

I am writing to you on behalf of Willow the owl, to appeal for your help. She and many other birds face years of suffering at the hands of humans.

In ‘bird of prey displays’, birds are transported around the UK to appear at events, where people will pay to be entertained by them. The birds are forced to interact with countless strangers and denied their freedom. All in the pursuit of profit for their captors.

To keep these birds under control, bird of prey companies use a restraint technique called tethering. Birds are tied down by their legs with a strap. They cannot fly away and can barely move from their perch. I have seen many birds desperately pulling against their tethers, trying to free themselves. Tragically birds can spend hour upon hour tied down in this way.

Right now we are on a mission to get cruel tethering banned! By sending a donation today, you can help us pressure the government to end this awful practice. You will give birds a step towards freedom.

Willow is held captive by humans who control her life. She is put on display alongside a group of other owls, all tethered and unable to fly away, at a busy market in north-east England. She is tied down to a perch by her legs for hours at a time. People can pay to take a photo with her. She cannot fly away at will. She must instead sit and endure the loud noises of the busy market and the shoppers.

Will you take action for Willow and other birds, by sending an urgent donation today? 

• Your £10 can fund government lobbying to push for a ban on tethering, one of the worst forms of restriction on an animals’ life.
• By donating over £10 you could equip an investigator to visit a bird of prey display, to collect vital evidence.
• You can give birds a better future, of freedom.