Stop Circus Suffering

Week of action for MA residents!

Take part in our week of action against circus suffering from April 24-28, 2017, in preparation for the hearing on the bill May 2nd

ADI is thrilled that Senator Tarr has introduced S.490 to prohibit cruel and dangerous traveling wild animal acts throughout the Commonwealth. ADI has been honored to work with Senator Tarr and local advocates over the past few years; this bill is essential to protect both animals and public safety.

Unfortunately, competing bills have also been introduced, which limit protections to only one species – elephants (S.1898/H.418). ADI does not recommend limiting protection to just one species, as it leaves behind other wild animal species, which the science makes clear also inherently suffer under this business model; It also encourages circuses to introduce a wider range of species, making matters worse.

ADI has concluded 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 how these animals are forced to perform tricks through physical violence, fear, and intimidation.

DON’T DELAY – ACT TODAY!

Take part in our week of action against circus suffering from April 24-28, 2017, in preparation for the hearing on the bill May 2nd, by the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture. (The Committee will also hear S.1898/H.418 that day, the bills that protect only elephants.)

Please help call time-out on circus suffering!

  • Schedule a meeting. When calling your legislator, ask if you can set up a meeting this week. Contact us and we’ll email you digital materials and talking points to help you prepare. If you can only get a date later this month, that’s ok too!
  • Attend the public hearing, and speak for the animals – helpful talking points here. Public testimony is typically limited to 3 minutes.
    RSVP to ADI if you are planning to attend.
  • Send an email to your legislator (find their details here), asking them to support S.490 with a brief and polite message. You can find talking points here.
  • Follow up with a quick call to ensure they received your message & ask them to support the bill.
  • Contact Senator Tarr (S.490 sponsor) and thank him for his leadership; ask him to stand strong against opposition, including those, such as the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), who promote wild animal performances, photo ops, rides, and cub petting. Bruce.Tarr@masenate.gov, 617-722-1600.
  • We want to hear from you! Please contact ADI and let us know the response you get from your legislator, so that we can effectively advance this important legislation.

On April 25th, there will be a local screening of ADI’s documentary Lion Ark in Hadley, MA. Watch the Lion Ark trailer here. Lion Ark tells the truly inspiring story of ADI’s rescue of 25 lions from circuses in South America. After the film, ADI volunteers will be available to answer any questions about all of the above! Find details & get your tickets HERE.

Together, we can end the brutal suffering of animals in traveling shows.

Facebook posts to share:
Massachusetts kids love animals
Week of action against circus suffering
4 ways to help

Sample tweets to share:
Traveling circuses cannot meet the complex needs of wild animals. MA residents, please support State bill S.490 http://bit.ly/2petK1n

Contact the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture & urge them to support S. 490 http://bit.ly/2pPczzm

Tricks performed by circus animals require extreme physical coercion & violence. MA residents, please support S.490 http://bit.ly/2petK1n

Contact your MA Rep, urge them to support S.490 to protect ALL wild animals in circuses & the safety of the citizens http://bit.ly/2opRoms

Wild animals in traveling circuses are suffering. MA residents, please support State bill S.490 http://bit.ly/2petK1n

Comments

  1. Maureen Patrone · 24 April 2017 at 2:17a

    We need to end suffering for all animals!! Way overdue!!!

  2. Dawn Williams · 24 April 2017 at 2:17a

    Please support S.490. Traveling circuses cannot meet the needs of any wild animals. They are intimidated, abused and suffering. We need your support in this cause.

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