WhoElseCouldIBe wrote:
Quote:

HeightsBrat wrote:
Quote:

CatsnDogs wrote:
Ignorance is not bliss.

Petting zoos, roadside zoos and other such travelling animal entertainment are not endorsed by any national animal welfare organization. The ASPCA, PETA and the HSUS are all against petting zoos.

?Health officials indicate that petting zoos are hotbeds of serious pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella bacteria? ? PETA.

ASPCA Position Statement

http://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-p ... -statements/roadside-zoos

The ASPCA is opposed to the cruelty that is inherent in using either wild animals or livestock in unaccredited zoos, roadside menageries, petting zoos, game farms and the like, and in attractions such as elephant rides, camel rides, and llama and pony rides that either stand alone or are attached to such venues.

Animals in Entertainment | General Considerations

The ASPCA is opposed to the use of animals in the name of entertainment if such use entails practices that produce pain, injury or distress to the animals in the process of acquiring them for this use, training them to perform, transporting them to performance venues, housing and caring for them for the duration of their period of performance, and disposing of them when their usefulness as an animal performer has ended. The ASPCA is opposed to using animals for entertainment in any circumstance where their physical, social or psychological needs cannot be appropriately met. The ASPCA is therefore opposed to any uses of animals for the purpose of entertainment if the use inevitably or traditionally involves any distressing or inhumane practices.

PETA Statement

http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in ... aveling-petting-zoos.aspx

?Traveling zoos and petting zoos are bad news for animals and humans. They subject animals to the stress of transport, alien environments, irregular feeding and watering, mishandling, and crowds of strangers. Many children and adults have been mauled by tigers, primates, and other animals who are used as props in photo shoots, and countless people have been sickened?and some have died?after contracting diseases from animals in petting zoos.?

?Animals used in traveling zoos suffer both behind the scenes and when they are on display. The Zoo, a traveling animal exhibit, has been repeatedly cited by the USDA for inadequate animal care practices, including failure to provide proper diets, veterinary care, or environmental enrichment.?

?Children who visit petting zoos often bring home more than their parents bargained for. Health officials indicate that petting zoos are hotbeds of serious pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella bacteria. Experts warn that infections can spread through direct or even indirect animal contact. The area surrounding the animal's cage can be teeming with bacteria, and children can even bring it home on their clothing. The very young, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems are especially at risk.?

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Statement

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/z ... dangers_petting_zoos.html

Health Dangers at Petting Zoos and Fairs: E. coli infections are a serious risk, especially for children

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/zoos/

?The vast majority of animal exhibitors licensed by the federal government do not meet industry accreditation standards. Thousands of animals suffer in roadside zoos and menageries.?

Not to worry. The Mayor & staff made sure every parent & child received a sani-wipe packet so little (& big) hands could be duly cleaned. The animals peacefully grazed & drank & all visitors were respectful of the animals. Many had never seen burros, ponies, pygmy goats, llamas or alpacas. The poor ponies got the hardest workout & they had water breaks. All the animals were well fed & in good condition.

How would you know the animals were in good condition? From where I stood, they looked depressed as hell. And why wouldn't they - look at their living conditions.

Future generations will face palm at us for accepting petting zoos as normal.

HeightsBrat wrote:
Quote:

CatsnDogs wrote:
Ignorance is not bliss.

Petting zoos, roadside zoos and other such travelling animal entertainment are not endorsed by any national animal welfare organization. The ASPCA, PETA and the HSUS are all against petting zoos.

?Health officials indicate that petting zoos are hotbeds of serious pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella bacteria? ? PETA.

ASPCA Position Statement

http://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-p ... -statements/roadside-zoos

The ASPCA is opposed to the cruelty that is inherent in using either wild animals or livestock in unaccredited zoos, roadside menageries, petting zoos, game farms and the like, and in attractions such as elephant rides, camel rides, and llama and pony rides that either stand alone or are attached to such venues.

Animals in Entertainment | General Considerations

The ASPCA is opposed to the use of animals in the name of entertainment if such use entails practices that produce pain, injury or distress to the animals in the process of acquiring them for this use, training them to perform, transporting them to performance venues, housing and caring for them for the duration of their period of performance, and disposing of them when their usefulness as an animal performer has ended. The ASPCA is opposed to using animals for entertainment in any circumstance where their physical, social or psychological needs cannot be appropriately met. The ASPCA is therefore opposed to any uses of animals for the purpose of entertainment if the use inevitably or traditionally involves any distressing or inhumane practices.

PETA Statement

http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in ... aveling-petting-zoos.aspx

?Traveling zoos and petting zoos are bad news for animals and humans. They subject animals to the stress of transport, alien environments, irregular feeding and watering, mishandling, and crowds of strangers. Many children and adults have been mauled by tigers, primates, and other animals who are used as props in photo shoots, and countless people have been sickened?and some have died?after contracting diseases from animals in petting zoos.?

?Animals used in traveling zoos suffer both behind the scenes and when they are on display. The Zoo, a traveling animal exhibit, has been repeatedly cited by the USDA for inadequate animal care practices, including failure to provide proper diets, veterinary care, or environmental enrichment.?

?Children who visit petting zoos often bring home more than their parents bargained for. Health officials indicate that petting zoos are hotbeds of serious pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella bacteria. Experts warn that infections can spread through direct or even indirect animal contact. The area surrounding the animal's cage can be teeming with bacteria, and children can even bring it home on their clothing. The very young, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems are especially at risk.?

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Statement

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/z ... dangers_petting_zoos.html

Health Dangers at Petting Zoos and Fairs: E. coli infections are a serious risk, especially for children

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/zoos/

?The vast majority of animal exhibitors licensed by the federal government do not meet industry accreditation standards. Thousands of animals suffer in roadside zoos and menageries.?

Not to worry. The Mayor & staff made sure every parent & child received a sani-wipe packet so little (& big) hands could be duly cleaned. The animals peacefully grazed & drank & all visitors were respectful of the animals. Many had never seen burros, ponies, pygmy goats, llamas or alpacas. The poor ponies got the hardest workout & they had water breaks. All the animals were well fed & in good condition.

CatsnDogs wrote:
Ignorance is not bliss.

Petting zoos, roadside zoos and other such travelling animal entertainment are not endorsed by any national animal welfare organization. The ASPCA, PETA and the HSUS are all against petting zoos.

?Health officials indicate that petting zoos are hotbeds of serious pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella bacteria? ? PETA.

ASPCA Position Statement

http://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-p ... -statements/roadside-zoos

The ASPCA is opposed to the cruelty that is inherent in using either wild animals or livestock in unaccredited zoos, roadside menageries, petting zoos, game farms and the like, and in attractions such as elephant rides, camel rides, and llama and pony rides that either stand alone or are attached to such venues.

Animals in Entertainment | General Considerations

The ASPCA is opposed to the use of animals in the name of entertainment if such use entails practices that produce pain, injury or distress to the animals in the process of acquiring them for this use, training them to perform, transporting them to performance venues, housing and caring for them for the duration of their period of performance, and disposing of them when their usefulness as an animal performer has ended. The ASPCA is opposed to using animals for entertainment in any circumstance where their physical, social or psychological needs cannot be appropriately met. The ASPCA is therefore opposed to any uses of animals for the purpose of entertainment if the use inevitably or traditionally involves any distressing or inhumane practices.

PETA Statement

http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in ... aveling-petting-zoos.aspx

?Traveling zoos and petting zoos are bad news for animals and humans. They subject animals to the stress of transport, alien environments, irregular feeding and watering, mishandling, and crowds of strangers. Many children and adults have been mauled by tigers, primates, and other animals who are used as props in photo shoots, and countless people have been sickened?and some have died?after contracting diseases from animals in petting zoos.?

?Animals used in traveling zoos suffer both behind the scenes and when they are on display. The Zoo, a traveling animal exhibit, has been repeatedly cited by the USDA for inadequate animal care practices, including failure to provide proper diets, veterinary care, or environmental enrichment.?

?Children who visit petting zoos often bring home more than their parents bargained for. Health officials indicate that petting zoos are hotbeds of serious pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella bacteria. Experts warn that infections can spread through direct or even indirect animal contact. The area surrounding the animal's cage can be teeming with bacteria, and children can even bring it home on their clothing. The very young, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems are especially at risk.?

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Statement

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/z ... dangers_petting_zoos.html

Health Dangers at Petting Zoos and Fairs: E. coli infections are a serious risk, especially for children

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/zoos/

?The vast majority of animal exhibitors licensed by the federal government do not meet industry accreditation standards. Thousands of animals suffer in roadside zoos and menageries.?

CAR285 wrote:
Who the hell has a petting zoo for a nighttime Halloween bash? The brainchild behind this should be fired!

CatsnDogs wrote:
While I applaud the City for throwing a family oriented Halloween Party, I am compelled to express my disappointment that it has chosen an "animal petting zoo" as part of the entertainment.

Traveling zoos and petting zoos are bad news for animals and humans. They subject animals to the stress of transport, alien environments, irregular feeding and watering, mishandling, and crowds of strangers. Many children and adults have been hurt by animals who are used as props in photo shoots, and countless people have been sickened?and some have died?after contracting diseases from animals in petting zoos.

Animals used in traveling exhibitions are almost constantly confined to tiny transport cages or trailers. They suffer in extreme temperatures and are denied adequate food and water because transporters don't want to bother with frequent stops to feed and water the animals and clean their cages. Without exercise, animals become listless and prone to illness, and as a reaction to stress and boredom, they may resort to self-mutilation.

Licensed but Poorly Regulated

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) requires that animal exhibitors be licensed by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in order to ensure that exhibitors meet the AWA's minimal requirements regarding animal care. The AWA requires little more than that exhibitors provide animals with sufficient food and water and enough room to stand up, turn around, and lie down. In reality, no government agency can effectively regulate or enforce the humane treatment of animals who are continuously on the road.

Disease Outbreaks Associated With Petting Zoos

Children who visit petting zoos often bring home more than their parents bargained for. Health officials indicate that petting zoos are hotbeds of serious pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella bacteria. Experts warn that infections can spread through direct or even indirect animal contact. The area surrounding the animal's cage can be teeming with bacteria, and children can even bring it home on their clothing. The very young, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems are especially at risk.

I hope that the City rethinks this part of the program. If anyone would like to contact me I can be reached at 201 884 9649 or cat@companionanimaltrust.com.

Carol
Companion Animal Trust
Jersey City