Affection for animals leads many well-meaning people to visit zoos, circuses and places like Santa's Enchanted Forest (SEF). However, behind the artificial "habitats" and colorful shows these places provide lies a world of hidden cruelty.
Unlike human performers, the animals used in shows at SEF do not have a choice. They are forced to perform, often enduring rigorous training sessions that include violent beatings, deprivation of food and water, intense confinement and many other forms of cruel intimidation.
SEF features over 3,000,000 lights, hundreds of rides, and dozens of holiday-themed displays that attract visitors of all ages...so the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) is unsure why they need to include the exploitation of animals by hosting a petting zoo, pony rides and several animal performances using sea lions, elephants and other unfortunates. The exploitation of animals turns this otherwise festive arena into an environment of fear and pain for all of the animals it abuses.
Children learn nothing about animals' natural intelligence or behavior by seeing them in such displays and, in fact, are likely to be miseducated.
The use of animals in entertainment not only frightens the captive animals and makes them vulnerable to harassment; it also creates an unsafe environment for people.
Please join ARFF in speaking out for the animals at SEF by signing this petition to let officials know that animals & entertainment don't mix, and that you would like all acts containing animals at SEF to be discontinued.
Visit www.arff.org or call our office for more details on how you can get involved to help the animals at SEF and beyond.
Animal Rights Foundation of Florida: (954)727-ARFF or by email at: arff@animalrightsflorida.org.
Thank you!
We the undersigned request that you remove all acts using animals from Santa's Enchanted Forest, in order to make the experience of attendance at your venue more enjoyable and cruelty-free.
Using animals in entertainment not only frightens the captive animals and makes them vulnerable to harassment; it also creates an unsafe environment for people. Bacterial infections that are transmissible to humans can breakout. The scared animals with no means of escape can also lash-out at people in self-defense. In September of 2008, a captive German Shepard at Big Thunder Petting Zoo in Disneyland mauled a toddler when the child reached in to pat the scared dog.
We the undersigned have agreed not to attend your shows that include animal acts. Further, many of us have agreed to discontinue our patronage of your venue until all of these exploitative acts are removed from Santa's Enchanted Forest.
Thank you for considering our plea.
