I'm sharing this from an email. There is a bill before Congress to put an end to animal abuse by traveling circuses and the like: After 146 years, Ringling's circus has finally gone out of business this week. Will other traveling circuses be far behind? With your help contacting your representative today, that may finally become a reality. A shocking video came out this week showing a tiger trainer beating a tiger 31 times in two minutes. He's worked with many popular traveling circuses that may have visited your area. To us, the welfare of animals beyond our gates is just as important as those inside our gates. Many lawmakers simply don't know how important animal welfare issues are to you. But one thing's for sure, these are bi-partisan issues that are bringing both parties together across the aisle. There's a bill before Congress now that will put an end to these tales of horror - The Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Protection Safety Act (TEAPSA). If it passes, it will end life on the road for more than 200 big cats, bears, camels, and elephants still working as circus performers. Thirty-four other countries already have similar bans. Isn't it time the U.S. does, too? Please contact your Congressional representative HERE and simply say, "As your constituent and a citizen concerned with animal welfare, please support federal legislation to protect wild animals in circuses. VOTE FOR TEAPSA - The Traveling Exotic Animal Protection and Public Safety Act." Please take a moment to read 'Why All of America's Circus Animals Could Soon be Free' to understand how important your one phone call or email may be for so many. P.S. Ringling has refused to say where their animals are going, despite many requests. As soon as we know, we'll share that info with you. But wait, there's another bill that needs your support! It's hard to believe states require dog licenses but, when it comes to dangerous exotic animals - well, that's a whole other story! Yes, there are still states that have absolutely no laws addressing private ownership of dangerous wild animals, like big cats. In some states, your neighbor can go buy a cute, cuddly tiger, put it in a backyard cage with no license at all! This week, we're also happy to hear South Carolina (1 of 5 states with no laws) finally passed legislation regarding private possession of dangerous animals. But what's really needed is a federal law. The patchwork of all these different state laws, most very weak, is easy for abusers and exploiters to navigate. The Big Cats Public Safety Protection Act is before Congress now and will go far in protecting big cats throughout the US. Please lend the animals your voice. IFAW has made it easy to do. Simply CLICK HERE TO SIGN A LETTER of support to your Representative. It takes you a minute to do this. For the animals, it affects them for life. The Wildcat Sanctuary petitions USDA to end abusive interbreeding This past week, we and a coalition of U.S. conservation groups, filed a petition with the USDA to end the inhumane interbreeding of large felines. It's past time to outlaw the inbreeding and crossbreeding breeders force upon animals in order to create unusual and often unhealthy big cats. The abusive mating of tigers with lions, or big cats with their own close relatives, clashes with federal animal welfare laws. It increases the probability of painful and tragic health problems such as cancer, cleft palates, arthritis, depression, and shortened lives. White tigers are created through intentional inbreeding. The tiger pictured above, Kenny, is not an unusual outcome. Once considered rare, white tigers are considered commonplace now since the general public will pay top dollar to own one or see one perform. Sadly, when there's demand, there will always be suppliers - no matter the tragic price the animal pays. We've already rescued 5 white tigers and we know of more in need right now. Almost every sanctuary in the country has had to rescue these animals when they're no longer profitable for their breeders/exhibitors.
I am a little bit sad about the circus closing, but I can't abide by them treating animals so badly, and it isn't okay with me that they use these animals for our entertainment, forcing them to perform tricks against their will, etc. It's just not right. It's arrogant of people to treat animals this way.
And then, if they survive the ordeal, the animals have to go somewhere for care, such as to sanctuaries like the one that sent me the email.
But better than Uday and Qusay Trump shooting them. I am NOT implying those are the only 2 choices, I was just pointing out how low-life the so-called president's sons are.
Hunting is less cruel than keeping an animal in a prison as a slave for it's entire life, taking a baby elephant from it's mother and keeping it for it's entire life until it becomes useless at making money for you anymore. Yet another person who has no understanding of hunting and has probably never been or even known a hunter.
When I was a little kid I was amused and fascinated with the trained animals of the circus. I attended once as a kid, and watched it on tv several other times. As an older adult I am appalled by it however. I think the horses are fine in the ring. But the elephants and big cats belong in a zoo or free in the wild. People's tastes change. Generations change in their view points too. The circus was not making money -- action and animation movies (moving picture shows) have taken the circus' place. The circus is not even on the top 10 list anymore: 1 - television 2 - radio 3 - movies 4 - self improvement / reading 5 - home improvement 6 - gardening 7 - sports attendance 8 - fine arts & music performances 9 - sports participation 10 - volunteer & church/temple/mosque
WRONG. I have hunted - had a rifle when I was 15. Slaughtering an elephant or a tiger in a staged setting is not hunting. It is an execution. It requires no skill. It is unsportsmanlike. You can't see the difference? Hunters study and understand their prey and it is a game of wits - the Trump sons have no wits - they paid for kills. How "manly".
What did you hunt and how did you hunt it? Explain, because I know a LOT about hunting. I can determine whether or not you have actually hunted before. There is a reason why there is hunting in Africa. Most hunters would know what it is, so let's see if you are not as ignorant as you appear to be.
When hunting large game, there is no such thing as a "staged" setting. They have to stalk them and it is extremely dangerous.
And I am not wrong. That is less cruel than keeping an animal a slave for it's entire life. The animals who are hunted are living in their natural habitat. A lot of times they take out "problem" animals for villagers.
Don't even TRY to tell me that the Trump wimps are in the enlightened hunter category in your post above - "trophy hunters seem willing to take conservation-related issues into consideration when choosing a tour operator". How you can defend such weasels and profess to care about animals is inexplicable.
My parents had friends that had a dairy farm in upstate NY where we would vacation. I would hunt "varmits" mostly groundhogs. They would feed them to their German Shepherds, who came to like me. You had to be aware of the wind direction and approach with the wind in your face, not make quick movements, have patience. They are not a large target and you only got one shot, because after one shot they were down their hole.
And I am SURE you are an expert. I took part in the ultimate hunting - human-human - kill or be killed. I assure you, I have a clue. You don't have to call me sir, I was only a sergeant.
Absolutely. They get a good home for the rest of their days that way, the ones fortunate enough to end up there. Of course, it's arguably better if it never comes to that. And I don't know what happens to all the other animals; this sanctuary is just for cats.
We've definitely seen major changes in attitudes towards animals over the last century. The circus seems like a relic from a bygone era, when animals were used and abused with little concern.
Entertainment is changing and will continue changing. The circus had a long run. I still have the big book/magazine of the circus I went to with my grandparents. I'm so glad I saved it.
Apparently, you have some kind of problem with me. This isn't the first time you've made snarky comments, so I'm going to call you out. May I ask what your problem is, since I don't think I've ever even had a discussion with you, nor do I know who you are or what is your problem? BTW, your statement is wrong too. Perhaps you should know what you are talking about before making snarky comments and butting into discussions that you don't know anything about. AND PS: Do I know you from another forum? Do you use a different name to post at another forum?
I know what you mean. Part of me hates to see the circus go. But once the animals were gone, it lost something, and I have to admit that it always made me uncomfortable. I read that L.A. has banned "all animal exhibits." What about their zoo and wild animal park? Does anyone know if those are included in that?