Circuses throughout the nation exploit wild animals through constant confinement and violent training practices, forcing them to perform the same futile acts repeatedly for their entire lives. In the age of circuses that use only willing, paid, incredibly talented human performers, there is no need to continue this shameful practice. Ferndale, Michigan, is the ONLY city in Michigan to have implemented a ban on animal circuses. Meanwhile, many other states and even entire countries have taken action on this matter. Sign this petition to bring this to the attention of Michigan legislators. 

96% of Circus animals spend about 11 months a year being hauled around the country in the same chains and constricted, polluted cages that they eat, sleep, defecate, and urinate in. These distressing conditions and lack of necessary exercise and freedom results in many animals developing serious physiological diseases that usually go untreated. 

The extent of violence applied in “training” the animals is heartbreaking. Baby elephants are chained for 23 hours a day to break them. Tigers, who are instinctively afraid of fire, are forced to jump through rings of fire on the daily entirely out of fear of physical punishment from trainers. According to MSCPA.org, “Standard training instruments include bullhooks, electric prods, whips, and chains. Circus trainers — to this day — often conceal wounds inflicted on elephants in training and during shows with a grey powder called Wonder Dust” Many sources claim that animals are starved, isolated, and drugged in this process. 

The AWA (Animal Awareness Act) is one of the only legislation in place to protect exotic animals in captivity, and even that is so loosely enforced due to the circumstances of traveling circuses. These shows are always moving around the country, so it is difficult for state government’s to pursue any reports. Furthermore, training sessions are not monitored and are therefore not subject to legal scrutiny.

Many people who find animal circuses harmless and amusing believe that wild animals are trained with “positive reinforcement” to perform their tricks. However, this belief is incorrect. Wild animals are called “wild” for a reason. They do not choose to be snatched from their families, deprived of everything that is natural to them, and forced to perform repetitive, degrading acts until they die an early death. This, in combination with the fatal training methods that the animals have to go through, proves that animal circuses are nothing but a cheap money grab at the hands of innocent lives. 

Having stressed, neglected animals perform in close proximity to humans poses a threat to public health and safety. There have been hundreds of accounts and even video recordings of animals lashing out under the pressure and physiological turmoil they are put through, putting children and families at risk. 

Some of the country's most famous and successful circuses are animal-free or have recently become animal-free in light of this evidence, including Cirque du Soleil and Circus Vargas. TEASPA, the Traveling Exotic Animal & Public Safety Protection Act (TEAPSPA, H.R.5999/S.3220) is a bill that would amend the AWA (Animal Awareness Act) to restrict the use of exotic/wild animals in traveling acts across the US. Let’s bring TEASPA to Michigan. SIGN THIS PETITION NOW TO TAKE ACTION!