Stop Circus Suffering

Update
On behalf of the animals, a big THANK YOU for taking action against circus suffering during our recent week of action, helping to raise support and awareness on the US federal bill, the Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (TEAPSPA/ HR1759). With your help, we can ban traveling animal acts!

There’s still much to do. If you haven’t yet called your legislators, please find a moment to do so today!

Please let us know the response you get from your legislators, so we can support your efforts and effectively advance these important measures. Email us here: usa@ad-international.org

It is not too late to take any of the below actions to help support TEAPSPA!

November 13-17
We will send out an email to all of our supporters on Monday, November 13 with actions you can take every day to speak up for animals in traveling circuses, in support of H.R.1759. If you are not on our mailing list, please email usa@ad-international.org to get added.

If you can, please arrange to meet with your legislators. They work for you and want to hear from you, or better yet meet you!

Call your legislators’ district office today and request a constituent meeting on H.R.1759 during our week of action, November 13-17. Find your legislators’ contact information here.

We will provide support to help you prepare for a successful meeting, and legislative briefings that cover the issues – training, transport, public health and safety, regulatory oversight, and economics.
Contact us at usa@ad-international.org or call 323-935-2234.

ADI worked with TEAPSPA’s bipartisan sponsors – Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and Ryan Costello (R-PA) – to draft and introduce the bill, which is now before the US House Agriculture Committee. We are working to introduce a senate companion bill.

With your help, we can stop circus suffering in the US, so mark your calendar – November 13-17 will be a fantastic Week of Action for TEAPSPA!

Below you will find actions to take over the next five days to support TEAPSPA (the Traveling Exotic Animal & Public Safety Protection Act, H.R.1759), to prohibit traveling wild and exotic animal acts.

Circus animals are counting on you to take action for them this week, so please join ADI, and our fellow supporters to stop circus suffering in the US.

We need your help to make it a success!

“Traveling circuses have raised concerns about the treatment and well-being of wild and exotic animals, such as their ability to move and socialize. The Traveling Exotic Animal & Public Safety Protection Act will protect these animals…” – Rep. Ryan Costello.

“A growing public understanding of the detrimental impacts on animals and the risks posed to attendees has already changed the face of circuses in America. It is imperative that we meet the call to end this practice once and for all.” – Rep. Raúl Grijalva

ADI worked with TEAPSPA’s bipartisan sponsors Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and Ryan Costello (R-PA) to draft and introduce the bill.

The time has come to end outdated, cruel, and dangerous traveling animal acts – let your legislators know that US citizens want to stop circus suffering!

Take Action Nov. 13-17

Monday: Arrange to meet with your legislators
If you have yet to do so, please request a meeting in your legislators’ district office.
Find your legislators here.
We will provide support to help you prepare for a successful meeting, and legislative briefings that cover the issues – training, transport, health and public safety, regulatory oversight, and economics.
Contact us at usa@ad-international.org or call 323-935-2234.

Tuesday: Send this to 5 friends and ask them to take action

Wednesday:  Contact your senator 
Find your Senator here and tell them “I’m your constituent and I urge you to sponsor a Senate companion bill to HR1759, to prohibit traveling wild and exotic animal acts.”

Thursday: Spread the word on social media!
Share our Week of Action Facebook posts and tweets with your friends and followers, as well as our Reluctant Entertainers campaign video, available here.

You can also update your profile picture on Facebook to support the cause; simply click this link and type ‘Animal Defenders International’ into the search box to find the ‘I’m working to stop circus suffering’ profile picture frame.

Friday:  Contact the US House Agriculture Committee
Call US House Agriculture Committee Chair Conaway and Ranking-Member Peterson, to urge their support for H.R.1759:
K. MICHAEL CONAWAY: 202-225-3605
COLLIN C. PETERSON: 202-225-2165

Here are sample talking points to help you:
“Hello my name is XXX, I am calling in support of TEAPSPA, HR1759, which is a bipartisan bill before the Agriculture Committee. Please support this bill to address animal cruelty, streamline regulation and reduce expensive oversight.”

Studies on the use of wild animals in traveling acts show that circuses cannot meet the physical or behavioral needs of wild animals. Animals are confined in small spaces, deprived of physical and social needs, and spend excessive time shut in trailers and train cars. These animals often demonstrate abnormal behaviors – rocking, swaying, and pacing – indicating they are in distress and not coping with their environment. ADI’s video evidence shows these animals are forced to perform tricks through physical violence, fear, and intimidation.

Together, we can stop the suffering. Thank you so much for making a difference for animals this week!