These Shrines Host Abusive Animal Circuses—Tell Them to Stop!

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Although Shriners claim to be dedicated to compassion and service, elephants, tigers, and other animals exploited in Shrine circuses live under the constant threat of being hit with bullhooks—sharp steel-tipped rods that resemble fireplace pokers—whips, and other weapons to force them to perform confusing and painful tricks.

Shrine circuses routinely work with notoriously cruel exhibitors—such as the Carson & Barnes Circus, whose appallingly long history of animal abuse includes more than 100 violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act—to supply the animals for their acts. Video footage of a veteran trainer even shows him instructing trainers to sink bullhooks into elephants’ flesh and twist them until the animals scream.

Times have changed. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced its return to the circus ring using only willing human participants. The Western Montana Shrine Circus ended wild-animal acts, Shrine circuses in Canada haven’t used wild animals in years, the AAD Shriners bade farewell to elephant and tiger acts, and the Bahia, Jerusalem, and Melha shrines have discontinued their annual animal circuses.

Please send polite comments to:
Robert Hampton
Potentate, Yaarab Shrine
[email protected]

Then, use the form below to urge the Hadi and Sharon shrines to stop using animals in their circuses.

View Message +

John

Threadgill

Sharon Shrine

Gregory

Foster

Hadi Shrine

Message to {contact_data~firstName} {contact_data~lastName}:

I was disappointed to learn that your Shrine club continues to exploit animals in its annual circus, even though hundreds of venues and dozens of communities are banning or restricting traveling acts that use animals as the public learns how cruel and antiquated these shows are. Other Shrine chapters have read the writing on the wall and made the choice to end their animal circuses, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced its celebrated return using only willing human participants.

Although Shriners claim to be dedicated to compassion and service, elephants, tigers, and other animals forced to perform confusing and painful tricks in Shrine circuses live under the constant threat of punishment. Humans are also put at risk at these events, since exotic animals are dangerous and unpredictable and have attacked and injured Shrine circus attendees, including children.

If you truly want to “do good,” please stop hosting circuses that use animals. Doing so would attract a new generation of Shriners who would value your denouncement of animal abuse.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}
{user_data~EMail Address}

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