Chinese Government Nabs Prestigious Animal Welfare Award

The following is a cross post from PETA Asia-Pacific's blog, The Hot and Sour Scoop.

Mention China and animals in the same sentence and visions of foxes and raccoon dogs who are skinned alive for fur often come to mind. But in what many hope signals the beginning of a turnaround, China's State Forestry Administration (SFA) has placed a landmark ban on animal shows in zoos and circuses throughout the country. This major milestone is why the SFA has been named the 2010 recipient of PETA Asia's Advancement in Animal Welfare Award.

The SFA's latest move means that the cruelest shows—ones that feature live feeding, tigers forced to jump through burning hoops, and motorbike-riding bears—will disappear. In fact, in order to give itself time to weed out the worst zoos and circuses, the SFA has imposed a moratorium until the end of the year on domesticating or breeding wild animals for these shows.

Moreover, all forest departments must review and reform their local regulations, management, and facilities regarding animal entertainment venues. New regulations are also expected to cover confining and breeding animals in zoos and circuses.

SFA's progressive action will do a lot to help animals in China, and you can do your part too. Don't patronize shows that feature live animals for entertainment—take a stand by signing our pledge against imprisoned animal "entertainers" today!

Written by Agnes Tam