Macerich Nets PETA Award for Banning Circus Acts That Use Animals

Mega Mall Owner Also Bans Cruel Sale of Sugar Gliders and Rejects Partnership With SeaWorld

For Immediate Release:
September 1, 2015

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Forcing animals to perform uncomfortable and confusing tricks is a thing of the past at retail giant Macerich, and for its commitment to keeping exploited animals off the premises, PETA is sending a Compassionate Business Award to company headquarters. Macerich—which owns more than 55 malls and other retail properties across the U.S.—now only hosts circuses with willing human performers in accordance with company policy and has committed never to partner with SeaWorld again after a short-term promotion of the park at several of its malls.

“As the tide of public opinion turns against forcing animals to perform confusing and painful tricks and trying to pass it off as entertainment, Macerich’s kind decision makes sound business sense,” says PETA Foundation Deputy Director Brittany Peet. “PETA is calling on other companies to follow in Macerich’s footsteps by keeping animal acts off their premises, too.”

It’s standard practice in circuses to beat, shock, chain, and whip elephants, lions, bears, and other wild animals in order to intimidate them into performing confusing tricks. Circuses tear baby animals away from their mothers, lock animals up in cages and chains, and cart them from city to city in all weather extremes. In 2010, Macerich was also quick to ban the sale of sugar gliders—fragile and nocturnal tree dwellers—after learning from PETA, whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment,” that the animals experience extreme stress and deprivation in captivity.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.