POMONA, Calif. (July 1, 2025) — On Saturday, June 28, animal advocates from In Defense of Animals, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Los Angeles Animal Save, Animal Alliance Network, Los Angeles Animal Defense League, and the International Alliance for the Protection of Parrots gathered at the Pomona Fairplex to protest the L.A. Pet Fair and expose the exploitation of birds, reptiles, amphibians and other vulnerable animals for profit. 

Colorful performers dressed in parrot-inspired acrobatic costumes helped draw attention to the exotic pet industry’s harms — from wild poaching which is driving endangered animals to extinction, to the tragic fate of birds who are discarded when they become too sick or difficult to manage. Activists distributed educational flyers highlighting how the captive wild animal trade harms animals, risks public health, and drives biodiversity loss. 

Inside the Reptile Super Show (January 2025): https://youtu.be/0YjBLn6iKs0

The L.A. Pet Fair hosts Reptile, Bird, and Aquarium “Super Shows,” where exotic animals are displayed and sold with little regard for animal wellbeing or public safety. Activists urged attendees not to buy animals — especially on impulse — as these sales often lead to suffering, abandonment, or death.

“It’s very disturbing that birds, snakes, turtles, fish, and many other animals are crammed into tiny tubs at the L.A. Pet Fair,” said Brittany Michelson, Campaign Specialist for Captive Animals at In Defense of Animals. “Animal expos breed disease and death. We’re calling on the public to adopt animals in need instead of purchasing them, and join our call on Los Angeles County to ban animal expos in order to protect animals and public health.” 

Live animal markets are a hazard to all life. Exotic animals frequently die from cannibalism, crushing, dehydration, emaciation, hypothermia, infections, parasites, starvation, and stress-related injuries. These conditions are driven by poor hygiene, inadequate or inappropriate food, water, heat, humidity, unnatural housing, and extreme crowding. 

Attendees are also at risk of contracting and spreading zoonotic diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports frequent Salmonella outbreaks caused by reptiles and amphibians. In 2024, small turtles and bearded dragons caused 89 infections and 38 hospitalizations. Expos also increase the risk of spreading pathogens and the introduction of invasive species when animals escape or are abandoned outdoors.

Illegal wildlife trafficking is the fourth most lucrative criminal industry in the world, generating billions annually. The exotic pet trade fuels illegal wildlife trafficking which threatens endangered species, harms conservation efforts, and destabilizes local economies. Animals from vulnerable populations are snatched from the wild and used for direct sale or captive breeding. In one documented study area, 100% of parrot chicks were illegally poached — most likely for the pet trade.

Once the novelty wears off, many guardians cannot cope with complex and expensive care needs wild animals require. Captive birds commonly suffer from feather plucking, chronic squawking, and aggression. Many are abandoned outdoors where they perish or cause problems as an invasive species. Others are surrendered to overburdened shelters which lack the space and time to meet their special needs. Many surrendered exotics are ultimately killed due to lack of resources or adoptive homes.

People interested in exotic animal companions should thoroughly research the species’ unique needs to ensure they're able to provide proper care for their entire lifespan. Reptiles, birds, or other species should always be adopted from animal shelters and rescue facilities, never purchased from pet fairs or stores which support the harmful captive animal trade.

“We encourage anyone seeking an exotic animal companion to adopt from a rescue, rather than buying from pet expos,” said Justine Block, attorney and protest organizer. “Birds and other exotic animals will continue to languish and perish so long as people keep buying them.”

Members of the public are encouraged to join over 10,500 In Defense of Animals supporters calling on the Pomona Fairplex and L.A. County Board of Supervisors to end animal expos: www.idausa.org/reptiles

If you are interested in a wild bird companion, check information and find local adoption resources here: www.idausa.org/campaign/wild-animals-and-habitats/parrots-as-pets

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Contacts:

Brittany Michelson, In Defense of Animals, brittany@idausa.org 928-420-0727
Justine Block, organizer jblockesq@gmail.com 310-927-4341

Images and video: https://bit.ly/PetFairAcro

In Defense of Animals is an international animal rescue and protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a history of defending animals, the environment, and their guardians through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, rural Mississippi, and California, since 1983. www.idausa.org

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