Traveling zoos and petting zoos are bad news for both animals and humans. Thousands of families will visit a traveling petting zoo at local areas at some point throughout the summer. Many of the animals that are used for these traveling and petting shows, are subjected to the stress of transport, alien environments, spaces that are inadequate for them to move around in, irregular feeding and watering routines, improper or irregular cleaning of their enclosures, mishandling, and crowds of strangers. Countless people have been sickened—and some have died—after contracting diseases from animals in petting zoos. Animals used in traveling zoos suffer both behind the scenes and when they are on display. For example, The Zoo, a traveling animal exhibit, has been repeatedly cited by the USDA for inadequate animal care practices, including failure to provide proper diets, veterinary care, or environmental enrichment.  

West Virginia does require the business to obtain a permit for these activities and the USDA will be notified so an inspection can take place to ensure they have this permit and are following the regulations. However, these regulations have nothing to do with the cruelty of keeping these wild animals locked in tiny cages and toted around the state for human amusement. Please feel free to read the regulations below as per W. VA. CODE § 20-1-2, §20-2-52.

Regulations: The Director of the Division of Natural Resources may issue a permit for the keeping and maintaining in captivity of wild animals, wild birds, amphibians or reptiles at a roadside menagerie. A permit shall not be issued unless: the animals, birds, amphibians or reptiles have been purchased from a licensed commercial dealer, either within or without the State, or have been taken legally; or the director is satisfied that provisions for housing and care of wildlife to be kept in captivity and for the protection of the public are proper and adequate. A roadside menagerie means any place of business, other than commercial game farm, commercial fish preserve, place or pond, where any wild bird, game bird, unprotected bird, game animal or fur-bearing animal is kept in confinement for the attraction and amusement of the people for commercial purposes.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

• Do not support exotic petting zoos or other animal attractions. Instead, let kids experience animals in their own habitats—and from a safe distance—by taking a nature hike, renting a nature documentary, going bird-watching, or visiting a well-funded zoo facility (i.e. Where wild animals live in habitats similar to that of the wild and where conservation efforts are beng made)..
• If you happen to witness these exhibits at home shows, shopping centers and other public places, please speak up and voice your concerns to the organizer(s), shopping mall manager, or other promoters.
• Take photographs or video footage. If you see possible violations, get in touch with the USDA, your local animal control officer, local MP, or the police, to report the conditions you have witnessed.
• Please sign and share this petition to ask the Shop ‘n Save and Save A Lot owners to ban traveling petting zoos from setting up in their parking lots. Twenty minutes of entertainment for us means a lifetime of cruelty for them.