Prestonwood Baptist Church Plano: Stop the Use of Live Animals in Christmas Pageant
To the leadership of Prestonwood Baptist Church and the broader Dallas–Fort Worth community:
We, the undersigned, respectfully urge Prestonwood Baptist Church to end the use of live animals in its annual Christmas pageant. While the intent may be to create a memorable celebration, using animals for entertainment places them in loud, chaotic, and unnatural environments that can cause significant stress, fear, injury, and long-term harm.
Live animals cannot consent to being handled, transported, restrained, or exposed to bright lights, crowds, noise, and unpredictable conditions. Even “trained” animals experience stress responses that they instinctively hide, and the demand for these exotic displays fuels an industry built on exploitation, profit, and aesthetic spectacle—not compassion.
We believe a church—especially one as influential as Prestonwood—should set an example of kindness and stewardship. Compassionate alternatives already exist: beautiful storytelling, creative visual arts, music, pageantry, costuming, and modern technology can bring the Nativity to life without causing harm to any living being.
By choosing humane, ethical practices, Prestonwood has an opportunity to lead with integrity and reflect the true spirit of Christmas: peace, dignity, and reverence for all God’s creatures.
We urge Prestonwood Baptist Church to immediately discontinue the use of live animals in its Christmas pageants and commit to cruelty-free celebrations moving forward.
Signed,
Members of the community who care about compassion, safety, and the wellbeing of all creatures.
16 Comments
I am all for engaging people in God’s word and I am sure these animals are well-kept (or so I hope), but there is no need to put them in a position where they will feel frightened and could create a dangerous situation by being defensive.
Exotic animals should not be used as a prop. Using real animals is unnecessary. Like any play, any person can dress up in place of an animal. No need to put them in stressful situations outside of their environment for a quick play. Very disappointing coming from a church.
I know it makes the performance more entertaining for some, but using live animals should have ended a long time ago. There's no reason for them to be stressed for people's entertainment. It goes against the thoughtfulness al what Christian practice. Children can see them in a zoo, which is a somewhat better environment. Thank you for considering ending the use of these animals.
I would purposely not go to a church that exploits animals like that. Even if they're treated well, it's not the place for them.
Live animals do not belong on stages. Please stop using these beautiful creatures this way.
Pleas stop this abusive practice
Please immediately discontinue the use of using LIVE animals in your pageants. This is cruelty to those animals.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
Prestonwood Baptist Church Plano: Stop the Use of Live Animals in Christmas Pageant
To the leadership of Prestonwood Baptist Church and the broader Dallas–Fort Worth community:
We, the undersigned, respectfully urge Prestonwood Baptist Church to end the use of live animals in its annual Christmas pageant. While the intent may be to create a memorable celebration, using animals for entertainment places them in loud, chaotic, and unnatural environments that can cause significant stress, fear, injury, and long-term harm.
Live animals cannot consent to being handled, transported, restrained, or exposed to bright lights, crowds, noise, and unpredictable conditions. Even “trained” animals experience stress responses that they instinctively hide, and the demand for these exotic displays fuels an industry built on exploitation, profit, and aesthetic spectacle—not compassion.
We believe a church—especially one as influential as Prestonwood—should set an example of kindness and stewardship. Compassionate alternatives already exist: beautiful storytelling, creative visual arts, music, pageantry, costuming, and modern technology can bring the Nativity to life without causing harm to any living being.
By choosing humane, ethical practices, Prestonwood has an opportunity to lead with integrity and reflect the true spirit of Christmas: peace, dignity, and reverence for all God’s creatures.
We urge Prestonwood Baptist Church to immediately discontinue the use of live animals in its Christmas pageants and commit to cruelty-free celebrations moving forward.
Signed,
Members of the community who care about compassion, safety, and the wellbeing of all creatures.
16 Comments
I’m an attorney who has been practicing animal law and familiar with the issues surrounding events like these. Strongly advise against having these live animals in a stressful situation like this.
I am all for engaging people in God’s word and I am sure these animals are well-kept (or so I hope), but there is no need to put them in a position where they will feel frightened and could create a dangerous situation by being defensive.
Exotic animals should not be used as a prop. Using real animals is unnecessary. Like any play, any person can dress up in place of an animal. No need to put them in stressful situations outside of their environment for a quick play. Very disappointing coming from a church.
I know it makes the performance more entertaining for some, but using live animals should have ended a long time ago. There's no reason for them to be stressed for people's entertainment. It goes against the thoughtfulness al what Christian practice. Children can see them in a zoo, which is a somewhat better environment. Thank you for considering ending the use of these animals.
I would purposely not go to a church that exploits animals like that. Even if they're treated well, it's not the place for them.
Live animals do not belong on stages. Please stop using these beautiful creatures this way.
Pleas stop this abusive practice
Please immediately discontinue the use of using LIVE animals in your pageants. This is cruelty to those animals.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 50 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I’m an attorney who has been practicing animal law and familiar with the issues surrounding events like these. Strongly advise against having these live animals in a stressful situation like this.