Animals in circuses and travelling menageries are subjected to frequent transportation for long durations to meet the scheduling needs of the show. Frequent transportation of animals, including long duration times, can have negative impacts to an animal’s welfare due to exposure to thermal extremes, lack of access to food and water, lack of species-appropriate social opportunities, and restriction of movement due to housing constraints.

SPCA opposes the use of animals in circuses or travelling menageries because the demands placed on the animals to meet the programme elements result in negative impacts to their welfare.

Animals in circuses and travelling menageries are subjected to intense auditory and visual stimulation during the programme, including but not limited to bright lights, loud noises, and fire, which can have negative impacts on their welfare.

Animals in circuses or travelling menageries may have demands placed on them to perform behaviours that push the animal beyond their physical and psychological limits and which have negative impacts on their welfare. Animals in circuses may be subjected to training methods that can have negative impacts to welfare. SPCA advocates for the use of force-free, low-stress methods of animal training and handling.

SPCA believes the use of these animals in circuses or travelling menageries does not contribute to educational, conservational or scientific cause, and their confinement, continual transportation, and the requirement for them to perform causes unavoidable harms to their welfare.