Roadside Zoos
WSPA has been campaigning to achieve zoo regulations and standards in Ontario since 1995. While the government has passed new standards for zoos under the Ontario SPCA Act, they have still not licensed the keeping of exotic animals. Ontario is still home to 60% of the zoos in the country. The majority of these are substandard facilities commonly referred to as "roadside zoos".
Roadside zoos typically house animals in poor, barren conditions, offering little more than a food and water dish and a basic shelter. Most roadside zoos lack trained professional animal care staff and the finances necessary to provide adequate care and shelter. Deprived of opportunities to behave naturally, the animals often show signs of psychological disturbance, boredom and frustration.
Almost anyone, regardless of experience, expertise or financing can start a zoo or keep a tiger as a pet in Ontario. The provincial government does not licence or regulate the keeping of exotic wildlife which represents approximately two-thirds of all the animals kept in Ontario zoos. The zoos’ visitors are also in danger because there are no regulations or standards to protect their health and safety from the risks associated with captive wildlife. Send a letter to the government now - it's time to ban exotic 'pets' in Ontario.
New legislation helps protect captive wildlife
© WSPA/Melissa Matlow
In November 2008 the government passed Bill 50: An Act to amend the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The bill introduced the first comprehensive changes to the Ontario SPCA Act since it was first enacted in 1919. The legislation was proclaimed on March 1, 2009.
Why the amendments are important:
It is now a provincial offence to cause or permit distress to any animal.
It raises the bar by establishing the strongest penalties in the country for those charged with animal cruelty, including the potential to prohibit the offender from owning animals ever again.
It gives the Ontario SPCA the authority to inspect zoos and other facilities that keep animals for exhibition, entertainment, boarding, hire or sale. Before March 1, the SPCA needed permission from the owners of a zoo to inspect the animals.
It establishes animal care standards that apply to all animals and makes failure to comply with these an offence.
It makes it an offence to train animals to fight other animals, or own fighting-related equipment, addressing a loophole in the Criminal Code which makes it difficult to convict people charged with this type of crime.
It allows the legislation offering the strongest protection for animals to prevail when there is a conflict between provincial and municipal legislation.
The government also established general standards of care for all animals and more specific standards for captive wildlife in the regulations accompanying the new law.
Monitoring effectiveness
WSPA will be monitoring the effectiveness of the new legislation and standards in addressing the problem of roadside zoos. We continue to encourage the Ontario government to regulate the keeping of exotic wildlife through a proactive comprehensive licensing system. Despite the significant improvements to Ontario’s animal protection law, residents of this province still don’t need a licence to keep lions, tigers or other exotic species in captivity and can easily acquire these animals without any proof of training or experience.
Anyone who wishes to keep wild animals in captivity should be licensed and forced to comply with professional animal welfare and public safety standards.
You can help improve the situation for zoo animals
Do not visit roadside zoos or animal displays.
If you decide to visit a roadside zoo to see the conditions firsthand, take photographs/video and make notes.
If you see an animal in distress or not housed for in accordance with the prescribed standards please contact the Ontario SPCA imediately.
Please also let WSPA know of any suspected or known violations affecting the welfare of zoo animals or the public's safety at zoos. Call WSPA at 1-800-363-9772.
Send a letter to the government now. It's time to ban exotic 'pets' in Ontario.
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