California: Bears, Big Cats, and Other Animals Used in Circuses Need Your Help!

Bears, tigers, and other animals don’t ride bicycles, walk on their front legs, jump through hoops of fire, or give rides because they want to—they do it because they’re afraid of the consequences that they’ll face if they don’t. The California legislature has passed Senate Bill 313, the Circus Cruelty Prevention Act, which would ban the use of most animals in circuses, and we need your help as a resident of the state to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign it into law!

Animals used in circuses are dragged from city to city in cages, chains, or cramped trailers and forced to perform demeaning, confusing, and often painful trucks under the threat of bullhooks—sharp steel-tipped rods that resemble fireplace pokers—whips, and other weapons.

Please call Newsom at 916-445-2841 and let him know that, as a constituent, you support SB 313.

Then, use this form to send a message to the governor. (Please select the subject “SB00313\Animals: prohibition on use in circuses.”)

Feel free to use our sample letter, but remember that using your own words is always more effective.

Please Support SB 313 to Protect Animals and the Public

Dear Gov. Newsom,

As a California resident, I urge you to sign Senate Bill 313—California’s Circus Cruelty Prevention Act—to prohibit the use of animals in circuses in the state.

Bears, tigers, and other wild and exotic animals are carted from city to city in cages, chains, or cramped trailers and forced to perform demeaning, confusing, and often painful tricks under the threat of punishment. They’re denied everything that’s natural and important to them.

Such acts pose a great danger to public safety as well. If animals feel threatened or frightened, they will act on their natural instincts. When a bear, a tiger, or an elephant rebels, trainers can’t always protect themselves or the public. These animals have bolted from circuses, run amok through the streets, damaged buildings and cars, bitten members of the public, and crushed handlers to death.

Both New Jersey and Hawaii have already restricted the use of wild animals in such acts. I hope California will be next.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.