From Austria to Uzbekistan: Animal Use in Circuses Is Disappearing

Animal acts are cruel holdovers from another era, and the industry’s most successful circuses have already moved on. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus now relies entirely on human talent, proving animals aren’t needed under the big top. As countries and cities continue to outlaw animal acts, the remaining animal circuses are finding fewer places willing to tolerate their outdated business model.

For years, PETA’s protests, action alerts, and support of law-enforcement efforts have helped pave the way for legislation to increase protections for animals exploited for circuses. Keep reading for a list of localities that have passed restrictions or bans on the use of animals in circuses.

Hundreds of U.S. cities and counties have banned or restricted animal use in circuses and traveling acts. Here are just some:

• Amherst, Cambridge, Topsfield, and Wilmington, Massachusetts
• Asheville and Charlotte, North Carolina
• Boise, Idaho
• Bridgepoint and Stamford, Connecticut
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Dane County, Wisconsin 
• Ferndale, Michigan
• Los Angeles, San Francisco, and West Hollywood, California
• Margate, Florida
• Missoula, Montana
• Multnomah County, Oregon 
• New York City, Westchester, and Suffolk County, New York
• Portland, Maine
• Salt Lake County, Utah 
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Wenatchee, Washington

These U.S. states have statewide bans on certain animal acts in circuses:

• California—Bans the use of all animals in circuses except domesticated dogs, cats, and horses
• Colorado—Bans the use of elephants, big cats, bears, and other animals in circuses and other traveling shows in the state
• Hawaii—Bans the importation of wild or exotic animals for circuses
• Illinois—Bans the use of elephants, big cats, primates, and bears in traveling acts
• Kentucky—Prohibits circuses from using endangered species, including elephants and big cats, and bans dangerous exotic-animal shows from county and state fairs
• Maryland—Bans the use of elephants, big cats, bears, and primates in traveling acts
• Massachusetts—Bans the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears in traveling acts
• New Jersey—With the passage of Nosey’s Law, became the first state to ban traveling wild- or exotic-animal acts
• New York—Bans the use of elephants in traveling acts
• Washington—Bans the use of elephants, big cats, bears, and primates in traveling performances

These countries have restrictions or bans on animals in circuses and traveling shows:

• Armenia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bolivia
• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Columbia
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• England (after hearing from PETA U.K.)
• Estonia
• Finland
• France (in 2028 with a push from PETA France)
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Hungary
• India (after a sustained PETA India campaign)
• Iran
• Israel
• Italy (pending)
• Latvia (with a push from PETA Germany)
• Lebanon
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Mexico (after vigorous campaigning by PETA Latino)
• Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Poland
• Portugal
• Ireland (after hearing from PETA U.K.)
• Romania (with a push from PETA Germany)
• Scotland
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Taiwan
• Uzbekistan
• Wales

Stay Far Away From Animal Acts, Attractions, or Encounters at Circuses and Traveling Shows

Animals don’t choose to perform in circuses or traveling shows. Torn from their natural lives and denied the opportunity to engage in behaviors vital to their well-being, circuses coerce animals into performing confusing and often painful tricks through fear and punishment. If an event exploits animals through performances or dangerous hands-on encounters, stay away. Support venues that rely solely on the talents of willing human performers, and urge others to do the same.

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