The Animal Welfare Act is a federal law that sets minimum standards of care for animals exhibited to the public, sold for use as pets, used in research, or transported commercially. The AWA is the only federal law providing care standards and protection for animals at roadside zoos.

This act is enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture who performs yearly inspections to ensure the minimum standards of the AWA are being met at licensed facilities.

However, the AWA does not cover farm animals, hybrid species, insects, arachnids, fish, reptiles, amphibians, horses, rats, mice and crustaceans. Although birds are covered under the AWA, there are no established care guidelines at this time. 

The USDA's lack of protection for these animals, combined with the agency’s declining enforcement of the AWA, perpetuates a horrific cycle of animal neglect and mistreatment at roadside zoos and other regulated facilities across America. 

Every species of animals has the capacity to suffer and deserves protection. Please sign the petition to urge the USDA to develop and implement care standards that cover all species of animals in captivity at regulated facilities. 

We must take a stand against animal neglect and mistreatment and demand that ALL animals be treated with dignity and respect.

Please follow www.facebook.com/roadsidezoonews to join our cause and help end exotic animal neglect.