Reindeer herding by indigenous communities involves welfare practices embedded in cultural tradition.
Reindeer herding represents an ancient human-animal relationship that is culturally central to Sami and other northern indigenous communities. Welfare practices including earmarking through cutting and traditional slaughter methods have come under scrutiny from external welfare perspectives. The most productive welfare engagement acknowledges both the cultural significance of these practices and the genuine welfare costs they impose. Climate change is creating new welfare challenges as thawing permafrost and rain-on-snow events create foraging crises that herders cannot control. Supporting climate action is therefore supporting reindeer welfare in herding communities.