THE PROTEGO FOUNDATION - Latest Blogs

“HARRY POTTER: A FORBIDDEN FOREST EXPERIENCE” REMOVED FROM BRIAR’S WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

4/13/2025

“Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience” is a traveling, immersive walkthrough experience that takes place in parks and forested areas around the world. To date, the experience has been located in multiple cities across four continents.

New locations are announced annually, with the experience typically staying in each location for three to four months. Intricate lighting, effects, animated figures, and other show elements are set up for the walkthrough, with a temporary “village” set up at the end of the path. On average, guests spend sixty to ninety minutes exploring the area.

In 2024, it was announced that the experience would be coming to the Mornington Peninsula in Australia. However, the choice of exact location, Briars Sanctuary, sparked worldwide controversy.

Conventions Are No Place for Animals

10/15/2024

Fandom is deeply personal. Even in a fan community with millions of individuals, we each experience it uniquely. It may be something we dabble in just for fun, or it may become an integral part of who we are. Fandom can give us an escape from reality, a lifeline out of darkness, and opportunities to learn about ourselves and the world.

For many of us, conventions are a total immersion into our favorite fictional worlds and are the pinnacle of our fan experience. Attending these events allows us to feel like we can fully be ourselves without judgment. We go to these events to be unabashedly nerdy with each other and to share in a collective experience of adoration and self-expression.

To the surprise of many, there are some unethical practices that have been observed at fan conventions across the nation. Even in recent times, a variety of wild animal species have been showcased at events by vendors whose sole motivation is to profit off of their use. Animals are not given the choice to attend and are conditioned into enduring long hours of interaction with strangers.

Alternatives to Stores like PetSmart

6/20/2024

Animal companion supply stores (often referred to as “pet stores”) use a range of focuses and marketing tactics. Unfortunately, these tactics can sometimes include selling items that are unhealthy for the physical and mental well-being of the companion animals that many humans choose to share their lives with.

In the United States, one of the most prominent companion animal supply stores is PetSmart. Founded in 1986, PetSmart has become one of the most successful chains, with over 1,650 stores across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. In addition to their brick-and-mortar and online stores, PetSmart offers a variety of companion animal services, such as boarding, grooming, training classes, and vet care.

In 2024, the company released a line of Harry Potter-branded fish tank decorations, relying on the popularity of the franchise to boost sales. The novelty of the items resulted in a positive reception among fan collectors - but while the cost of the items is low, there is a much higher cost when it comes to impact being made on the lives of thousands of living creatures.

Luckily, there are relatively simple ways to determine which stores to support - and which ones to avoid. With a little research, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge you need to make the best decisions for your furry friends - and for the companion animal population as a whole. Read on to find out how!

The Importance of Wildlife

4/20/2023

There are many creatures within the Wizarding World who are of great importance to the magical landscapes and outdoor areas seen within the books and films.

Places like the Forbidden Forest and the Great Lake are important areas for the animals that live near Hogwarts. From the unicorns and Thestrals who call the Forbidden Forest their home thanks to the tree coverage and immense amount of land they can use to roam, eat and live within, to the Giant Squid and Grindylows who swim amongst the depths of the Great Lake.

Without these habitats being left mainly untouched by those studying at Hogwarts, these magical creatures would not be able to thrive and live out their lives naturally and without human harm coming to them.

Ecological balance must be allowed to thrive to ensure a stable ecosystem, which means living organisms must coexist within an environment to help maintain stability. Even the smallest creatures can have a big impact on the stability of the ecosystem, like ants and Billywigs, to larger species that are often wrongfully poached, such as lions and Graphorns.

Non-toxic Houseplants That Are Safe for Animals

4/6/2023

Trivia time! What did Neville Longbottom’s great-uncle Algie give him for his fifteenth birthday? The answer: a Mimbulus mimbletonia plant!

Though Neville often lost his toad companion, Trevor, we have no doubt that Neville cared about him. One thing he made sure of before embarking on the Hogwarts Express was to check that his new plant wasn’t toxic for toads or any other animals his classmates would bring with them. The Mimbulus mimbletonia’s defence mechanism is to release Stinksap when prodded. Stinksap is a dark green liquid that smells like rancid manure. Surprisingly enough, it's non-toxic for humans and animals.

Follow Nevile’s example by ensuring that your furry and leafy companions pair well together!

Vegan Butterbeer Topping Introduced at Universal Studios

3/3/2023

March 2nd, 2023 marked a special day as Universal Parks and Resorts surprised fans of the Wizarding World with a huge reason to celebrate: Vegan Butterbeer topping was introduced for both the cold and frozen versions of the drink at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood! The creation of a vegan topping for Butterbeer has been a long-term goal for The Protego Foundation ever since we created our first “Accio Vegan Butterbeer” campaign petition in 2018.

After Universal opted to allow Butterbeer to be served without the original dairy topping in July of 2022, speculation arose about a potential vegan topping being tested. On March 1st, 2023, a member of the Universal Orlando Vegans group received a message that appeared to be from a correspondent at Universal Parks & Resorts. The message contained information that a “new non-dairy vegan friendly Butterbeer” would be arriving at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter beginning on March 2nd.

We are absolutely thrilled at this news, and we have all the details on how this vegan version of Butterbeer compares to the original, where exactly you can get the new offering, and what questions still remain regarding this magical news.

Universal Hollywood's "Animal Actors" Show Permanently Closes

2/11/2023

We are thrilled to report that Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Animal Actors” show permanently closed on January 8th, 2023.

In addition to dogs, cats, pigs, orangutans, and other birds, the show involved two Eurasian eagle owls who were used in the Harry Potter films. These owls, who appeared in the show daily, were paraded around a stadium filled with people and subjected to loud music and clapping.

We can’t imagine the stress, anxiety, and unhappiness this kind of treatment could cause for all of the animals. It’s safe to say that we, along with any members of S.P.E.W., are over the moon to hear that they will no longer have to experience this terrible ordeal.

Zero Waste Tips

9/7/2022

When it comes to protecting our planet -- and all the magical creatures who live on it -- reducing the level of human waste is critical. Even if we can’t see it, our actions have a ripple effect; leaving a plastic bottle on a bench may seem inconsequential at the time, but as groundbreaking programs such as Blue Planet II showed us, what we do matters.

On that note, Protego decided to think about some zero waste life lessons that we could take from the Wizarding World, and found that there are quite a few! From reusable hip flasks and secondhand gifts to Transfiguration charms and repurposed Portkeys, here is our Muggle-worthy 7-step strategy for sustainable living (now try saying that 394 times fast)!

Sustainable Back to School Guide

8/26/2022

It’s that time of year again! Young witches and wizards are preparing to go back to Hogwarts, receiving their lists of books and equipment they’ll need for their upcoming school year. Those pesky growth spurts also mean that new school robes will be in order. Be sure to get to Platform 9 ¾ by 11am on September 1st to board the Hogwarts Express!

Even if you won’t be attending Hogwarts this year, you can channel your inner Hermione by preparing in advance for what you or your kids will need in their upcoming year of Muggle schooling.

In 2022, parents are expected to spend an average of $264 on their children’s back to school clothing and supplies, and according to a survey, only 50% of parents choose environmentally friendly or responsibly sourced back to school products and only 29% prefer to buy a used or refurbished product rather than brand new items for their children.

It’s important to invest in sustainable and environmentally-friendly products as much as possible, so we’ve put together this handy guide on ways you can add a bit of extra magic to your back to school experience while being as sustainable and ethical as possible.

Vegan Butterbeer Has Come to Universal Parks Around the World!

8/17/2022

Guests at Universal parks around the world can now enjoy cold and frozen Butterbeer on tap without the dairy topping!

After The Protego Foundation’s Accio Vegan Butterbeer petition garnered nearly 10,000 signatures overall, Universal made the compassionate choice to allow Butterbeer to be ordered without the dairy topping. This decision was announced on Sunday, July 31st, 2022.

Previously, people with dairy allergies, those who are lactose intolerant, and those who abstain from dairy for animal rights and environmental reasons could not get this delicious and "buttery" drink because the already-vegan soda base would not be served without the dairy topping.

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The Protego Foundation's work is made possible, in part, thanks to Tylor Starr.

The Protego Foundation and its activities are not licensed by, sponsored by or associated with Warner Bros., J.K. Rowling, or their affiliates. 'Wizarding World,' 'Harry Potter,' ‘Fantastic Beasts' and all related names, characters and indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. - Harry Potter publishing rights © J.K. Rowling.

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