PETA Statement on Ferndale’s Exotic-Animal Ban

For Immediate Release:
December 18, 2018

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Please see the following statement from PETA Foundation Deputy Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Rachel Mathews regarding tonight’s vote by the Ferndale City Council to ban wild- and exotic-animal displays and performances:

Just a year after PETA alerted Ferndale officials to visitors’ complaints about reindeer who were being used as party props at its Holiday Ice Festival, the city has moved to prevent sensitive wild and exotic animals from being hauled around and subjected to the barrage of strange noises and overwhelming activity that accompanies human events such as fairs, festivals, and circuses. Celebrations in Ferndale will be kinder for this ban, and PETA looks forward to seeing cities and states nationwide follow suit and take their own steps to protect animals.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”— notes that Ferndale joins a growing list of cities around the globe that are banning the exploitation of wild animals for entertainment. Just last week, New Jersey became the first state to pass a ban on the use of wild animals in traveling acts.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.