This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

As more people become aware of the inherent cruelty of using wild and exotic animals in circuses, the number of cities and states banning or restricting them in the U.S. continues to grow. However, federal legislation is desperately needed to address this issue. Urge Congress to support the Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (TEAPSPA), which would end circus suffering nationwide.

We know so much about what wild animals need to thrive, and have plenty of evidence to show how physically and psychologically harmful exploiting them for entertainment is.

Despite this, some of the world's most iconic and endangered animals, including lions, tigers, and elephants, are still forced to endure extreme confinement, denied opportunities to engage in natural behaviors, coerced into performing ridiculous and unnatural tricks through fear and intimidation and subjected to heartbreaking abuses in circuses.

Not only does this pose a serious welfare issue for them, but it also poses a serious threat to public safety, as demonstrated by numerous serious incidents involving the deaths of animals and handlers, and injuries to members of the public that have occurred over the years.

While wild animal performances have been banned in California, Hawaii, and New Jersey, and similar bans are being considered in several other states, federal legislation is desperately needed to address this issue — particularly because the mobile nature of circuses complicates already costly and inefficient oversight and makes it virtually impossible to monitor animals, enforce the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), and act on violations.

As previously introduced, TEAPSPA would amend the AWA to prohibit traveling circuses and exhibitions from keeping a number of wild and exotic animals, including big cats and elephants, among many others.

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.