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CAMPAIGNS - ANIMALS IN ENTERTAINMENT
Sample Letter to a Circus Organizer/Sponser
(Courtesy of Troy Seidle)
Cut'n'Paste from below, or click here to download the original MS Word file (94k).
[YOUR ORGANIZATION’S LETTERHEAD]
[date]
[name of organizer/sponsor]
[address of organizer/sponsor]
Dear [contact’s name]:
Re: Sponsorship of Performing Animal Acts
It has come to our attention that [name of organizer/sponsor] is sponsoring a circus featuring performing animal acts at [location] on [dates]. [Your group’s name] is deeply concerned about the use of animals for entertainment purposes due to the distress and suffering inherent in their treatment and training, and the real risk to public safety that is posed by their use. We respectfully request that your organization discontinue its sponsorship of circuses with performing animal acts in favour of animal-free events.
As you may be aware, the lives of animals in circuses and travelling shows differ drastically from those of their counterparts in the wild. The physical and practical constraints of the travelling circus environment result in animals being either chained or confined to transport cages or "beast wagons" at virtually all times when not performing. They are forced to defecate, urinate, eat, drink, and sleep all in the same tiny area. Stereotypic behaviours such as swaying back and forth, head-bobbing, pacing, and bar-biting are common in circus animals, and are indicative of frustration and psychological distress.
In light of the foregoing, it’s little wonder that during public performances, spectators have been injured or even killed by animals rampaging or attempting to escape. In fact, since 1990, at least 47 people have been killed and more than 100 seriously injured by captive elephants. Similarly, attacks by captive felines have resulted in at least 23 deaths and more than 70 injuries. I have enclosed summaries of recent Canadian animal incidents for your information.
Enclosed, for your review and consideration, is a video entitled Plight of Performing Animals, produced by the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. This video includes interviews with animal behaviourists, veterinarians, and former animal trainers, who provide expert testimony with respect to the treatment and use of animals in circuses. We trust that you will agree, after seeing the conditions under which animals are forced to live in circuses, that these events are no longer an acceptable form of entertainment.
Moreover, forcing wild animals – many of them endangered species – to perform unnatural tricks is not the right message to send to children. We hope that your organization will choose to discontinue its sponsorship of circuses with performing animal acts, and instead support one of the many excellent human-only circuses.
I appreciate your consideration of this matter and look forward to receiving your response. I hope you will take the time to view the informative video.
Yours sincerely,
[your name]
~ [your title] ~
Encls.
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