The L.A. Pet Fair hosts the Reptile, Bird, and Aquatic Super Shows, where a variety of wild animals are exploited on display and sold to the public. We and local activists will urge attendees to think about the cruelty hidden within these expositions and encourage them to not purchase any wild animals.

The L.A. Pet Fair hosted at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, involves the sale of reptiles, birds, aquatic life, and other captive animals, disregarding animal cruelty, public health, and conservation concerns. Join us in solidarity to protest the LA Pet Fair and raise awareness among fair-goers!

The convention center is packed with breeders who exhibit, for example, reptiles crammed into plastic containers and for sale to the general public. Customers only see the healthiest, most sellable animals and are often hyped into buying animals they are in no way prepared to care for, which is of little concern to many sellers. Often, animals sold by these breeders develop health problems and rapidly deteriorate.

The pet industry relies on the capture of individuals stolen from vulnerable wild animal populations and then uses them for breeding. The captive animal trade is tied to illegal animal trafficking which harms recovery efforts to restore critically endangered species. Captive animals sold at shows suffer from malnutrition, an unnatural and uncomfortable environment, injuries incurred during transport, the stress of confinement, and premature death.

Due to the conditions and stress of living in captivity, wild animals in the pet trade are prone to develop health issues that are difficult and expensive to treat. Many animals end up abandoned at animal shelters or outside for this reason. Also, once the novelty of “owning” an exotic species wears off, their guardian may no longer want them, dumping them into shelters ill-equipped to handle their special diet and habitat needs.

Overcrowded shelters often only have one small room set aside for animals other than cats or dogs and are generally not adequately able to handle the influx of birds, reptiles, and other animals surrendered by pet purchasers. They often have to resort to killing animals who don't find homes within a certain time frame in order to make room to accept new arrivals. These exotic animals are often difficult to adopt into new homes because of their specialized care.

We urge people seeking animal companions to thoroughly research the species' unique needs to ensure they're able to provide proper care. Once ready, we urge guardians to adopt reptiles, birds, or members of other species awaiting homes through overwhelmed animal shelters and rescue facilities, instead of supporting the harmful captive animal trade with their purchases.

WHAT: L.A Pet Fair Protest 

WHEN: Saturday, June 28, 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon

WHERE: Pomona Fairplex Garden Railroad, 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768 

Connect with fellow activists on the Facebook event page. 

Make calls, connect on social media, and sign our updated alert urging the Pomona Fairplex to stop hosting captive animal expos such as the Reptile Super Show and LA Pet Fair, and call on the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors (county supervisors) to ban these shows. 

Support our work to end animal exploitation at pet fairs by making a donation today!