PETA is calling for Woodstock Willie to be retired from Woodstock Groundhog Days’ annual tradition, saying it traumatizes the animal and its handler was recently cited for inadequate veterinary care.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said Wednesday that they uncovered a federal report showing that Woodstock Willie’s handler was cited for failing to provide adequate veterinary care for a groundhog.
Woodstock Willie’s handler, Mark Szafran of Round Lake Beach-based Animal Rentals, Inc., was cited for two counts of the Animal Welfare Act, according to an inspection report from the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
The inspection took place on April 8, 2025, and an inspector found a 1-year old male groundhog had missing hair on the back third of its body, including the legs and tail.
Szafran stated that the hair falls out and grows back in normally but the attending veterinarian had not been consulted about the groundhog’s hair loss, the report said.
“Exhibitors must establish and maintain programs of adequate veterinary care that include the use of appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries. Not obtaining proper veterinary care can prolong discomfort and cause unnecessary stress to the animal,” the report said.
The inspector ordered Szafran to have a veterinarian evaluate the groundhog’s condition within 10 days.
The report also said that a 3-year old male Eurasian eagle owl was found to have a severe left-sided head tilt.
Both eyes appeared normal but the left side of the head was tilted down, even when he tried to turn his head, the report said.
The owl appeared to stumble when trying to walk. Szafran reported not noticing the condition prior to the inspection, the report said.
“A head tilt can be a sign of injury or disease and can cause the animal pain or discomfort if left untreated. Each exhibitor must establish and maintain programs of adequate vet care that include daily observation of all animals to assess their health and wellbeing,” the report said.
“Once identified, mechanisms of direct and frequent communication are required so that timely and accurate information on problems of animal health, behavior, and well-being is conveyed to the attending veterinarian,” the report said.
The inspector ordered Szafran to obtain adequate veterinary care for the owl within two days and ensure that any prescribed treatments were followed.
PETA said they sent a letter on Wednesday to Woodstock Groundhog Days Committee Chairman Rick Bellairs, urging him to end the tradition of “forcing a frightened animal to predict the weather.”
“We trust that you would never knowingly exhibit animals in a manner that causes distress, but as you may not realize, Willie is a member of a prey species, meaning naturally shy, sensitive animals who actively avoid humans if they can,” PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk said in the letter.
“Transporting him to an unfamiliar location, forcing him out of a ‘tree stump,’ and subjecting him to noisy crowds and flashing cameras cause him needless stress and fear, triggering a fight-or-flight response, as was aptly demonstrated by his wriggling and squirming on stage last year,” Newkirk said.
PETA said they have suggested replacing Woodstock Willie with a 3-D holographic projection, his existing costumed human counterpart, a stuffed toy or even an AI-powered robot groundhog that could deliver an actual forecast.
The animal rights organization said that Woodstock already has plenty of events celebrating February 2 and “subjecting naturally shy groundhogs to loud crowds, bright lights, and human handling shouldn’t be one of them.”
“No one wants to be stuck reliving the same stressful scenario over and over again, yet year after year, Woodstock Willie is jostled around in front of rambunctious crowds when he should be hibernating,” Newkirk said.
“PETA is urging Woodstock to put an end to Willie’s distressing déjà vu and establish itself as a Groundhog Day destination that shows respect for these remarkable animals,” Newkirk said.
Groundhog Days 2026 is set to be held from January 30 to February 2, celebrating the 34th anniversary of the movie’s filming.
Bellairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his position of PETA’s request.