Shriners International is known for raising money to help children heal. But according to animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Shrine circuses still make elephants and other animals perform for crowds. Shriners International can change that by telling its member clubs to end animal acts for good.

PETA says elephants used in Shrine circuses are beaten, whipped, kept in chains and made to do stressful tricks. The group also says many of these elephants were taken from their mothers as babies.

That life is nothing like the one elephants are built for. In the wild, elephants live in close family herds led by older females. They help raise each other’s calves, search for fresh plants to eat, play together and cool off in rivers. A circus ring offers none of that.

“Elephants deserve to live in peace with their families, not chained and chided under the big top,” said PETA President Tracy Reiman.

On November 5, PETA supporters wearing chains and crying elephant masks plan to gather outside Shriners International’s Membership and Marketing Conference in Washington, D.C. They are calling on the organization to tell every club to drop animal acts.

Ending animal acts does not have to mean ending the Shrine circus. Acrobats, aerialists, clowns and stunt riders can still fill the tent, bring in families and raise money for a good cause. A show built on human talent fits a mission about kindness and care far better than one built on chains.

Shriners International has the power to make this change across the country. Sign the petition to tell Shriners International to end animal acts at every Shrine circus, while its leaders gather this week.