Animal Welfare at 50 Degrees North

Learn about our commitment to protecting animals and how we work with our suppliers to maintain high standards of animal care.

At 50 Degrees North, we are deeply committed to ensuring that the animals we encounter through our travel experiences are treated with the utmost respect and care. As the demand for ethical and responsible travel grows, we recognise the importance of animal welfare to both our travellers and travel advisors. We want to reassure you that animal welfare has always been a priority for us, and we’ve made it even more central to our operations with the introduction of our Animal Welfare Policy.

Our Animal Welfare Policy

The 50 Degrees North Animal Welfare Policy is a part of our broader Sustainability Policy and contains the following:

At 50 Degrees North, we are committed to the welfare of all animals encountered during our experiences, whether they are wild, like whales and bears, or working animals, such as reindeer and sled dogs. We will not knowingly be involved in any activities that cause harm or distress to an animal.

We commit to their protection by:

• Preferring partnerships with operators who adhere to strict animal welfare standards and recognised certification schemes (such as Green Key Activities, Sustainable Travel Finland, and IceWhale), and those that have written animal welfare codes of conduct.
• Excursions and attractions where captive wildlife is held are not offered, except for activities that are properly regulated and in compliance with local, national, and international laws. Excursions that include interactions with wildlife comply with relevant codes of conduct. Any disturbance to natural ecosystems is minimised.
• Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded, except as part of a regulated activity that ensures their utilisation is sustainable and in compliance with local, national, and international law.
• We do not sell excursions that involve swimming with whales.
• A section on animal welfare is included within our Supplier Code of Conduct. However, we recognise that animal welfare among working animals in the Nordics is complex; at present, there is no universally recognised and legally binding set of guidelines that applies to all of the Nordic countries. Therefore, our Supplier Code of Conduct outlines basic requirements for animal welfare and unacceptable practices. Additionally, we have shared resources on further welfare guidelines that are country- and species-specific.
• We have developed a set of guidelines for travellers to educate them on interactions with domestic, working, and wild animals, available through our 'Responsible Travel Tips' for travellers.
• Our in-house tour guides are supplied with our Supplier Code of Conduct and traveller guidelines, and so are familiar with our policies on animal welfare. In the case of any serious concerns, we have developed a policy on how to escalate these.
• Where serious concerns have been raised, this may result in terminating our use of the supplier if improvements are not made.

Our Approach to Suppliers

As noted above, we have developed a comprehensive Supplier Code of Conduct, which outlines the minimum animal welfare standards we expect from all our suppliers. This includes basic welfare requirements and a preference for partners who hold recognised certifications. We also take a proactive approach by providing our suppliers with educational resources and guidelines on best practices for animal welfare. Our goal is to foster a collaborative and responsible travel industry, and we are committed to working alongside our suppliers to make continuous improvements in this area.

Education for Travellers

As part of our educational role, we have created a dedicated 'Responsible Travel Tips' page to guide you on best practices and how to interact responsibly with animals. We believe that travel is an opportunity to learn and engage with different cultures, and our guides are well-versed in our animal welfare policies. They help travellers understand how cultural and traditional practices in the Nordics influence animal welfare, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their experiences in a way that is respectful to both wildlife and local communities.

Our Promise to You

Animal welfare is a journey, and at 50 Degrees North, we are committed to continuously improving our practices and educating everyone involved in our travel experiences. We hope that you will join us in this effort, knowing that every step we take is designed to protect the animals we care so deeply about.

For more information, you can view our Animal Welfare Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct on our website. We look forward to working together to make travel both meaningful and responsible for all. If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch at sustainability@fiftydegreesnorth.com.

For further information on our sustainable travel initiatives, please see our Sustainable Tourism page.