Ontario: Stop Letting Zoos Get Away With Animal Cruelty

Undercover footage taken at the Papanack Zoo in Ontario has exposed heartbreaking abuses of animals there, and highlighted an urgent need for the province to change its laws regarding captive animals.

The investigation, which was just released by Animal Justice, brought to light a number of serious issues, including appalling conditions animals live in, animals suffering from psychological distress, blatant cruelty and abusive training techniques, both of which employees readily admit to, inadequate enclosures and lack of enrichment for a number of species.

It also exposed ties to the entertainment industry, showing resident animals being cruelly exploited, and dispels the myths about how zoos are contributing to conservation.

The Ontario SPCA has launched an investigation into this case for violations of provincial animal welfare laws, and could file charges, or potentially seize animals, but it doesn't have the authority to shut the Papanack Zoo down.

Unfortunately, not only do the lack of any meaningful standards, regulations or licenses leave animals to suffer in questionable conditions, it means there's also virtually no way for the government to shut it, or other problem zoos, down either. Even when charges are filed, justice isn't always done.

Unfortunately, the Papanack Zoo is hardly the only troubling facility in Ontario, but public pressure could help change that.

Please sign and share the petition urging the Minister of Community Safety & Correctional Services to act immediately to address this issue by creating regulations that will be met, in addition to requiring facilities to obtain a license to operate.