June 2020
Animals are very present in our lives. We grew up with cuddly toys and, as adults, still love comic characters like Mickey Mouse. We also visit bullfights during our holidays in Spain, marvel at circus performances with our children, and visit zoos. However, many of these activities mean animal suffering.
But don't worry - we don't have to give up activities involving animals just yet. We just have to make better choices.
In the following, we present a range of alternatives to help you identify more animal-considerate entertainment activities.
PRE CONSIDERATION
When we plan our leisure activities, we do not consciously want to harm animals. However, even ticket purchases support and encourage the provider to continue offering the activity to animals. Please remember: When you decide to participate in an activity involving animals, you have already cast a clear vote for the provided activity.
So, think twice about
whether the activity you are looking for is essential,
or whether an animal-considerate alternative or a comparable activity does not involve animals.
HOW TO SPOT ANIMAL-CONSIDERATE ACTIVITIES?
Unfortunately, no overarching seal distinguishes the animal-friendliness of entertainment activities. However, appropriate labelling exists for zoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks.
We present the most essential labels below.
CAN ANIMALS’ well-being reached in Captivity?
The question of whether animals suffer in captivity depends on many factors. For example,
the needs of various animal species are very different, so some species are more suitable for life in captivity than others, as their needs are more accessible to serve (for example, insects, rabbits, sloths, deer, camels, etc.). And their natural surroundings are more straightforward to mimic.
Some species can be kept in areas where others would suffer. For example, keeping animals from the poles in tropical regions is challenging in a species-appropriate way. In contrast, species familiar with a comparable climate are more accessible to keep.
Another question is, what needs to remain in captivity? Some natural behaviours (such as migrating over long distances) are due to external circumstances (e.g., a volatile food supply), and animals do not practise them if the need is not present (e.g., food procurement).
One criterion for assessing whether a facility keeps the animals in a species-appropriate manner and whether they do not suffer mentally and physically depends, among other things, on how seriously the facility is developed, supervised and designed scientifically and with professional expertise.
WHAT CAN WE DO AS CONSUMERS?
As consumers, we can …
Encourage zoos to show primarily animals whose needs can be met by life in captivity.
Get informed about the establishments’ reputations through media, rating platforms, or by contacting the local/ national animal welfare organisation.
Learn about the establishments’ history, the responsible people, and their philosophy. Are professionals (researchers, scientists, vets, etc.) involved in their areas?
SANCTUARIES, GAME PARKS, ZOOS & aquariums
Different types of facilities keep animals.
Here, we present the most important ones and what you should look for when choosing one.
SANCTUARIES
Most animals born in captivity would not survive if they returned to their natural habitat. Sanctuaries were created to rescue and rehabilitate animals harmed, abandoned or displaced in captivity. They replicate animals’ natural habitats as much as possible and provide them with physical and psychological comfort.
Unfortunately, the industry is unsatisfactorily regulated, and many facilities falsely claim to be sanctuaries while providing poor conditions to animals. However, there are sources of information to consult for practices and conditions before deciding on a visit:
The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, sanctuaryfederation.org, provides a list of accredited sanctuaries worldwide.
The website vegan.com provides a list of farm animal sanctuaries.
Peta.org and worldanimalprotection.ca put together checklists to ensure you visit natural sanctuaries, considering animals’ needs.
GAME PARK
Game enclosures, where native animals and species are kept in large areas, and visitors can walk directly through the enclosures on predetermined paths, are often recommended as an alternative to zoos.
These trails are often designed as nature trails and offer extensive information about local flora, fauna, and ecosystems.
Contact your local Animal Welfare Organisation → or nature conservation group for more details.
ACCREDITED ZOOS & AQUARIUMS
Animals are kept in cages and enclosures in zoos and aquariums. The differences in the quality of husbandry are enormous.
That is why we should only visit certified establishments. EAZA, The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria accreditation is given to zoos and aquariums that meet European animal welfare standards.
The organisation comprises educators, researchers, and conservationists whose philosophy is to help communities take charge of their natural future.
On their interactive map, eaza.net/#map_home, you can find all accredited facilities in Europe.
ANIMAL-FREE CIRCUSES
Who doesn’t remember going to the circus as a child and impatiently waiting for the elephants or the tigers to come on stage? However, to get felines to jump through burning hoops or elephants to stand on their head, they must not only be held captive but also trained in ways that are harmful to them.
Some of the most famous circuses, such as Circus Krone, Cirque du Soleil, Swamp Circus and Les Colporteurs, offer entirely animal-free shows.
Several European countries have decided to ban wild animals in circuses. According to four-paws.org, this is the case for Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, England, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, The Netherlands, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.
You can find the latest news on European circuses and support animal-free campaigns on stopcircussuffering.com
Holographic technology is an innovative way to provide circus spectators with breathtaking animal shows. German Circus Roncalli sets a precedent by using gigantic 3D animals to oppose animal cruelty.
HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES
Many view sitting in a horse-drawn carriage as romantic and appealing. It brings us back in time and gives us a glimpse of how our ancestors travelled. Horse-drawn carriage rides are often presented as tourist attractions for discovering cities. Unfortunately, drawing people’s carriages in cities can harm horses when they are not treated in a species-appropriate manner, which seems difficult to guarantee, as there is no existing labelling system.
There are several alternatives to horse-drawn carriage rides to discover a city uniquely.
Renting bikes: Many cities offer bike-rental services, which allow you to discover an area at your own pace and in a unique way.
Bus tours: For the most environmentally friendly options, look for operators offering tours on buses powered by electricity.
Renting a classic or historic car for a picturesque experience: a simple web search can help you find local rental services for collector cars. And don’t forget to look for those that consume little gas to keep your carbon footprint under control.
pony rides & live carousels
Many children dream of riding these calm, beautiful, shorter, and less dangerous animals than horses. They can do so in many countries at fairs that offer pony rides and live carousels. Unfortunately, ponies involved in this type of entertainment are far from being as happy as their little riders.
Currently, limited laws protect ponies against harmful treatments and neglect of this type. Here are ideas for alternatives:
Visit ponies at sanctuaries or Accredited Zoos ↑.
Visit an animal park and watch ponies in their natural environment.
Spend a holiday on an educational farm: With a simple eco-search, you can find plenty of eco-tourism, agri-tourism, and sustainable farms across Europe and all over the world that offer educational activities for children. For example, the WWF recommends certain facilities in the Alps that support the protection of the local environment, such as educational centres Gites de France and Fattoria del Panda.
Spend some time at a horseback riding centre, where the animals are treated well and allowed to live as close to nature as possible.
mouse roulette
Mouse roulette is an alternative version of the traditional game, famous in casinos worldwide. Instead of a small ball being spun on a wheel, mice, gerbils, or hamsters are thrown on the roulette and spun until they fall into the “winning” hole.
If you should ever come across this offer (whether physical or online), focus on one of the countless other games that do not involve animals.
racing
Most societies worldwide have a history of humans entertaining themselves by making animals compete. These “traditional sports” involve animals like horses, dogs, and bulls that are ferociously trained and made to perform to captivate passionate crowds. These competitions can be deeply harmful to their protagonists, not only during an event but also throughout the animals' lives.
Alternative activities exist for horse races, dog races, and rodeos that are equally exciting without risking animals’ physical and psychological well-being.
Human races: athleticism competitions offer a range of exciting activities to watch or perform at all levels. Sports, in general, are a great alternative to turn to and can also provide gambling opportunities for those interested in this aspect.
Sanctuaries & Accredited Zoos ↑, some of which may be the home of animals rescued from the entertainment industry.
Donate your time and energy to animals, such as dogs rescued from races or rodeo circuits in your local shelter. Go for a walk, throw balls, and run with them - it is fun and healthy for both of you, and you might find a new friend.
Do you love rodeo? Check out rides at funfairs or amusement parks that imitate riding on the back of a bull. You can participate in it yourself; the ‘ride’ trains your balance and is great fun.
fights
Fights are practices involving animals shedding blood when fighting each other or humans. Many of these “sports” are illegal in a majority of countries because of the cruelty they inflict on animals and because they may be related to criminal behaviours (illegal gambling, drugs, violence and murder).
Nevertheless, they can be popular events and are sometimes watched by large crowds, including families with children who view them as pleasant forms of entertainment.
Let’s avoid all types of cruel sports and contact the local authorities if you witness such activities in an area where they are illegal. While violence can never be recommended, aggressivity can be channelled in different ways that do not involve harming animals or humans.
You can practice martial arts, fight sports such as boxing, kickboxing, and MMA, or play video games.
In the same way, gambling on cruel sports can easily be replaced by betting on human sports or playing in casinos .
wildlife tourism
Exploring the local wildlife is an exciting part of travel discoveries and has contributed to the booming global travelling industry. Many showcase their time with wild animals on social media, growing the number of people who want to live the same experience. Unfortunately, many wildlife tourist attractions around the world are harmful to animals. Every year, around 110 million people visit facilities with cruel practices.
“When people decide that they no longer want to give their money to a certain sort of experience, and if enough people do that, the experiences themselves will shift. (...) The industry’s economy depends largely on people believing that the animals they’re paying to watch, ride, or feed are having fun too.” Natasha Daly, National Geographic
Currently, no global standards govern wildlife tourism, so many facilities are in a grey zone. However, so you can still make a conscious decision about participating in an activity, here are some aspects to consider before purchasing your ticket. ↓
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Do some research before you visit a wildlife facility. Organisations like World Animal Protection and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries recommend facilities with good practices.
World Animal Protection offers a checklist for animal-friendly travelling and an animal-friendly travel guide.
Look for facilities with educational purposes, affiliations with local wildlife protection, or support for local communities.
If you doubt whether the organiser is serious or seriously considers the interests of the animal, do not participate. Find another activity that does not involve animals.
Browse through World Expeditions, Sustainable Travel and Green Destinations, three organisations that recommend and certify several destinations for their sustainable approach to wildlife.
Consider using platforms like Airbnb and TripAdvisor that only propose wildlife tourism without physical contact.
Consider attending a WWF - Natural Habitat Adventure organised holiday if you can afford it.
Here is the list of elephant-friendly travel destinations.
Here is the list of facilities the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries recommended.
WHILE TRAVELING
Animal protection does not stop at borders. Everywhere in the world, there are animals in need of help. However, people’s attitudes towards these animals are very different regionally. It often depends on religious, cultural, or traditional customs, some of which differ from typical European customs and views.
Unfortunately, in many countries, animal protection is not very important, and tourists are often involuntarily confronted with the topic of animal protection.
Here are the most important aspects to consider:
The German Animal Welfare Association deutschertierschutzbund.de has compiled a detailed checklist for tourists to help them avoid activities that could harm animals. We have translated it for you. Please take a look at it below. ↓
CHECKLIST: ANIMAL WELFARE DURING OUR HOLIDAYS
Stay-away from all hands-on experience with animals.
Don't visit animal parks where animals are only presented for the amusement of the public and their species-specific behaviour and needs are not taken into account.
Before visiting any animal sanctuaries, check on the internet or with animal protection organisations to see if they can be taken seriously.
Do not go on animal attractions such as elephant rides. This is always associated with cruelty to animals. Last but not least, the animals are also a danger for the holidaymaker himself.
Do not go to bullfights, religious or other festivals where animals are mistreated. Cultural tradition is not a licence for cruelty to animals.
Do not buy souvenirs for which animals die or suffer, such as crocodile leather bags, teeth, shell products, furs, ivory carvings or even live animals such as birds or monkeys. They should be rejected not only on moral grounds but also for reasons of species protection and customs law.
Do not have your pictures taken with animals, especially exotic or cute baby animals - this puts the animals under enormous stress.
Even if it is difficult - do not buy an animal out of pity. Every animal you buy free is immediately replaced by another one.
WITNESSING ANIMAL MISTREATMENT
Should you observe that an animal is mistreated or kept badly:
Talk to the person responsible and try to point out in a friendly but firm way that the animal is suffering. If this does not help, document the situation of the animals photographically and send the photos together with a detailed description to local police authority. In addition, you should inform a local animal welfare association of the grievances.
Start signature campaigns and submit them to the relevant authorities.
Complain to tourism associations that advertise with questionable offers. The more often they are confronted with the abuses, the less they can turn a blind eye to the issue of animal welfare.
FOOD ABROAD
If you go out to eat or prepare your food during your holiday, focus on vegetables, fruit and vegetable alternatives to meat, eggs and dairy products. In many countries, there are no laws on animal husbandry, and the regulations do not meet the standards we are used to in European countries. They may also be looser or disregarded.
However, several services will help you find local restaurants that serve (some) considerate options.
Here’s a list of some service providers. happycow.net, vanilla-bean.com or the vegman.org
movies, television, & advertisement
From the early days of television and films, animals have become four-legged screen stars. Through their unasked for role in entertainment, wild and domesticated animals often undergo harmful treatments, on set, during training, or in housing.
CERTIFIED MOVIES
Watch out for the popular American Humane Association’s (AHA) “No animals were harmed®” label. This label means that the AHA was present on set through a representative, to look out for the treatment of animals. However, as the association is not supervising animals’ conditions outside of sets, there is space left for harmful treatment in housing or during training, where harm often occurs.
While it it might require some additional checks, the AHA offers a list of movies with detailed assessments of animal cruelty on set, openly stating the limits of its action when needed.
ANIMATED FILMS
With the technologies available today, we, as consumers, can favour movies and tv shows without real animals involved. Solutions like computer-generated imaging and animatronics (animated puppets) allow for movies, tv shows and advertising to display the magic of animals without them having to be real.
The website IMDB, for example, offers a selection of animatronics movies, many of which include animals.
DOCUMENTARIES
Another solution for the most passionate about animals is to look away from movies and shows involving animals, and to focus on documentaries about them. What is more fascinating than watching animals in their natural environment, behaving in accordance with their instincts? Check out our page about Animal Welfare Movies & Documentaries →.
Learn more
Check our sources: Bibliography →
