Alec Baldwin Tells Tyler the Tiger’s Story of Abuse

Alec Baldwin has been known in recent years for making us cry with laughter on shows like 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live, but now he’s bringing us to tears for another reason. In PETA’s “Draw My Life,” he tells the story of Tyler, a tiger who was kidnapped from his home and then used in the circus, where he was subjected to constant abuse and never-ending isolation.

Like any other person, Tyler deserves to live free from exploitation. Yet he’s just one of the countless animals whose spirits have been broken by the physical and psychological torment that they endure in circuses.

Traveling circuses advertise a good time for the whole family—but their shows are no fun for the tigers, lions, elephants, and other animals who are forced to perform demeaning tricks under the threat of violence with sticks, bullhooks, whips, and electric prods. Subjected to beatings, isolation, and neglect, these animals will continue to languish and suffer at the hands of circus owners for the sake of profit as long as the public continues to pay admission fees to the performances.

Compassionate people everywhere are using their voices—and their wallets—to show circus promoters that animal abuse is not entertainment. Stand up for big cats, elephants, and all other animals who are used in circuses by pledging to support only those performances that are animal-free and that use talented, willing human performers to thrill crowds. There are so many exciting and innovative productions that dazzle audiences without animal acts, and public demand for such spectacles is growing.

Remember: You can help prevent cruelty by pledging not to purchase tickets from any circus that uses animals in its acts.