Ban petting zoos in Beaconsfield

Beaconsfield Quebec, despite being a PETA certified compassionate city, have no bylaws preventing petting zoos. The City of Beaconsfield rents animals from PACE Farm for display at their Holiday Market.

Animals can not get away if they don't want to be touched.  And the cages at a petting zoo is small, connected to sensory overload of busy events.

And The Woof Meow store is a petting zoo where reptiles and other small wildlife are kept in small cages where children can pet them. A lack of robust bylaws regarding exotic animals means that anyone can run a zoo, as long as they don't have dangerous animals.  Anyone can own sheep, goats, alpacas, pigs, and small non toxic exotic animals.

The Truth About Petting Zoos - Animal Place

The main problems with petting zoos are the risks of zoonotic disease transmission to humans, animal welfare issues like stress and lack of space, and potential injuries to both animals and people. Zoonotic diseases such as E. coli and Salmonella can spread from animals to humans, especially if hygiene practices like handwashing are poor. Animals can also suffer from constant handling, cramped conditions, and stressful travel, while humans face risks from bites or falls. 

Health risks to humans

Disease transmission: Close contact with animals can lead to the spread of zoonotic diseases like E. coli, Salmonella, and Cryptosporidium. Young children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

Allergies: Dander, fur, and other animal-related allergens can cause allergic reactions.

Poor hygiene: Visitors often fail to wash their hands properly after contact with animals, increasing the risk of spreading germs. 

Animal welfare concerns

Stress: Many animals, especially timid ones, can experience high levels of stress from constant handling, noise, and being in a confined or unnatural environment.
Inadequate living conditions: Animals may be kept in small cages, have limited space to retreat, and be subjected to stressful travel, preventing them from fulfilling natural behaviors.

"Cuteness" and disposal: Animals that are no longer considered "cute" or are too difficult to handle are sometimes abandoned or killed to make way for younger animals. 

Injury risks

To people: There is a risk of bites, scratches, or kicks, especially from unpredictable animals. Children, in particular, can be accidentally knocked over.

To animals: Animals can become sick or injured from rough handling, or from being fed inappropriate human food by visitors. 

Ethical and supply chain issues

Breeding conditions: Some petting zoos source their animals from high-volume breeders, which can lead to poor breeding conditions and mass production of animals to meet demand.

Unnatural situations: Placing animals in a stressful environment where they are expected to be constantly handled and socialized is often considered inhumane, as it does not allow for their natural behaviour.

https://thendbcatalyst.com/12321/opinion/petting-zoos-are-not-as-cute-as-they-seem-to-be/