Fantastic news: A federal bill to ban the use of wild and exotic animals in traveling circuses across the United States launches today in Congress!
On Tuesday, May 21, the Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (TEAPSPA) will be introduced in Congress. Championed by Animal Defenders International (ADI), and supported by a coalition of animal organizations — including LCA — the bipartisan bill is sponsored by Representatives Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and David Schweikert (R-AZ). Twelve cosponsors have signed on so far.
Studies show that traveling circuses compromise the welfare of wild animals as they are commonly confined to small spaces, deprived of their physical and social needs, and forced to spend excessive amounts of time shut in trailers and train cars. As a result, circus animals often display abnormal behaviors such as rocking, swaying, and pacing — all of which indicate that they are in distress and not coping with their environment.
In the U.S., over 90 jurisdictions have full or partial bans on the use of wild and exotic animals in circus acts, and in December 2018, New Jersey and Hawaii both passed statewide bans on circus animals. A number of other states are also considering bans, including California. Now we have a chance to stop circus suffering nationwide — but we cannot do it without your help!
Here's how you can help get TEAPSPA passed into law:
- Watch the livestream of the launch event at 1:00 pm EST (10:00 am PST) on Representative Grijalva's Facebook page — please like, comment, and share on social media!
- Contact your legislators and urge them to support TEAPSPA! Click here to find their details, as well as talking points and sample letters.