Ontario's Lackluster Welfare Laws Allow Roadside Zoos to Thrive

​www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/roadside-zoos-ontario-animal-welfare-laws-1.6848338

As the weather starts to shift towards summer vibes, roadside establishments throughout Ontario gear up for the season. These establishments thrive in Ontario because there are no laws regarding the ownership of exotic animals, leaving it to individual municipalities to tackle laws surrounding ownership of wild animals like tigers, lions, and cheetahs. These loopholes in welfare laws allow roadside establishments to pop up everywhere, poorly monitored and operating under the radar, allowing them to  exploit wild animals for profits. 

Image taken from CBC News

Roadside establishments thrive in Ontario due to poor laws surrounding animal ownership. In fact, Ontario has more roadside establishments than any other province in Canada. These establishments are able to slip under the radar of Ontario's lackluster welfare laws and exploit animals. Roadside establishments are notorious for exploitative activities like cub petting / holding and cub photos, all of which are mentally scarring for innocent cubs.

On top of cub petting, roadside establishments often lack proper veterinary care and the animals on the property are kept in small crates with poor access to a proper diet / water. What's worse is that when cubs become too large to handle, they are shipped off to other exploitative industries where they will continue to be at the mercy of humans who exploit them for profits. They spend their entire lives being passed around by humans, no regards given to their well-being or instinctual needs. Roadside establishments are hell for animals and it's time for Ontario to step up and create laws surrounding exotic animal ownership.

When you look at an accredited zoo like the Toronto Zoo for example, this is a property that is well maintained. Animals on the property have their needs considered when setting up enclosures, have access to appropriate food / water, and have emergency veterinary care if needed. Accredited zoos won't use animals for shows or performances and will advocate for conservation. Roadside zoos are the complete opposite of this. They utilize animals for entertainment at their own expense and don't properly care for them. These establishments should never be allowed to operate considering the complex needs of big cats and other wild animals.

Ontario needs legislation surrounding exotic animal ownership. Leaving it to individual municipalities is not working and these establishments are thriving. I implore any of you in Ontario to be mindful of where you take your friends / families this summer. Steer clear of any roadside / pop-up zoos that promote handling of innocent cubs. Watch for small enclosures or photo ops with animals. By visiting these establishments, you're perpetuating the cruelty and supporting animal abuse. Visiting the zoo should be educational in intent, not entertainment. Roadside zoos are hell for animals and Ontario needs to step up!

Learn more through the link at the top of this post.

HAPPY VEG