- English
- Français
Accessibility and Access Keys [4]
It’s that time of the year again, a time when carnivals and circuses roll into communities across the country and offer audiences one last chance to roar with laughter as performers dazzle under the big tent. This razzle and dazzle may be exciting for some audiences but it isn’t as exciting for the performers – especially when animals are the source of entertainment.
Whether the animals are domestic or exotic, the use of ANY animals for performance purposes in carnivals and circuses is inhumane. These animals spend almost their entire lives on the road, moving from one makeshift encampment to another. Travelling for these animals means long hours in confined cages within poorly ventilated vehicles and with limited access to food and water. When the animals aren’t travelling or performing, they can often be found chained outside the tent area, often in extreme confinement. Unfortunately, these conditions are not often apparent to audience members.
This summer, make a conscious decision to support animal-free entertainment. There are many carnivals and circuses that now offer animal-free performances and that are just as entertaining. When the carnival or circus rolls into your community, be sure to look into what type of entertainment they provide.
Click here to read our policy on animals in entertainment.
