Portland, Oregon is a city that has a strong history of animal rights activism. Unfortunately, some of our annual festivals are exhibiting animal exhibitions that are very disconcerting.
If any animal rights supporters have seen these shows, they would see domestically-bred wild cats and other predators at in tiny cages, unable to enjoy the life they were meant to have. Turtles and ball pythons, which are animals of the tropic temperatures, are outside, for display, and being passed around for pictures in our 50 degree weather. When asked about the welfare and health of these animals, we were kindly asked to leave by security.
The show claims that a "conservation group in Canby" is responsible for the animals at one of these festivals, but animal lovers need to unite to stop this. A true sanctuary would never buy, sell, trade, breed, or cart their animals to fairs. Please do not patronize these events. There are several real sanctuaries, dedicated to providing a forever life for these unfortunate creatures, where they are not put on public display, that could really use the money instead.
Please help to stop Portland from exhibiting these animals for entertainment purposes. Lets keep them out of future festivals and events in our city.
We the undersigned, as animal rights supporters, pledge to not patronize Portland events that use animals as a form of entertainment. Please end all agreements and arrangements with all parties calling themselves "animal sanctuaries" that use animals as a means of monies and/or entertainment. Please consider our affection and devotion to animal rights, and take the animals welfare into account when deciding who can be a part of our annual festivals.
