For the Love of Animals

3 Replies

There are many circuses out there, some that share our name, but few if any that share our values and commitment to professionalism and excellence when it comes to the well being of our animals. Our family has devoted 250 years to working with and training animals. We are proud of our circus families and the extraordinary care and attention our animals receive.

Our travel schedule is centered around our animals’ needs. We are proud to say that our show tour has far less travel than most other productions.

For the few trips during our season which are multi-day trips, we have a network of locations where we can safely and comfortably house both our domestic and exotic animals. These locations generally include fairgrounds, species appropriate boarding facilities and private properties.

Not only do we monitor the status of our animals during the trip, we never travel more than two hours without stopping for water, food and relaxation. This is only one of the many ways we exemplify our love and care for our animals, as well as how we differentiate ourselves from other circuses.

Studies have shown that elephants live longer traveling in circuses than they do in zoos or in the wild as they have a constant change of scenery which helps stimulate these highly intelligent creatures. Performing provides our animals with exercise and giving elephant rides keeps them physically healthy which in turn, increases their expected life span.

shrine circus, elephants, cleaning animals, shrine loves animals, animal care, happy elephants

Our animals are fed daily and watered at least five times a day. Their diet consists of grain, hay (which they have access to around the clock) fresh fruits and vegetables. They are bathed daily and their toenails are trimmed once a month.

At home, our elephants have ten acres and a pond to play in when the weather permits. In bad weather they have a large indoor exercise area.

Our circus’ animal care standards exceed governmental regulation. Our training methods are based on positive reinforcement, such as food rewards and words of praise. The relationship between animals and humans is built on mutual respect, trust and affection.

We are visited regularly by the United States Department of Agriculture, which carefully reviews our housing, feeding, housekeeping and ventilation practices.

So when you come out to visit us and take in one of our shows, rest assured the talent and professionalism you see on stage is mirrored by special care and attention to our animals behind the scenes. We look forward to seeing you soon.

shrine circus, horses, erika zerbini, horse trainer, talent, shrine loves animals

  • http://twitter.com/knitwitshair Shari Goss

    Having watched the shows, I could see the love of the performers for their animals. There was a few times the animals weren’t perfect and they got love pats, and giggles and encouragement! You could tell the way the animals shared the affection of the performers!

    • Diane Bedard

      Joanna,
      I am not sure where you get your information - perhaps from online videos (which are easily manipulated to make a point that the poster wants made) and other “infallible” internet sources. No-one can consistently get an animal that is larger and stronger than themselves to perform in front of hundreds or thousands of people without a strong bond of mutual respect. Have you ever tried to train an animal? Even a dog that is trained to sit on command may not do so if it is uncomfortable or afraid.

      Those who abuse their animals are not the people who provide the Shriners circus. I have seen their facilities in person and met their trainers. These animals are cared for with the utmost concern for their welfare.

      • Sharon

        The information provided on the abuse of the elephants and other animals is from first-hand witnessing. There are people who have been so-called ‘elephant’ handlers who have left their job and have joined the growing consensus of those who see in the near future an end to the use (read: abuse) of animals for entertainment. Le Cirque du Soleil is more than a viable alternative. It is full of extraordinary people doing what they want to do, not what they’ve been beaten into doing. There will be more circuses like that one. Go see them. I encourage anyone who wants to see a circus with animals to do the research beforehand. We cannot continue to allow this. As well, the tickets sold for the Shrine Circus, contrary to the implications here, do not go to charity. Simply put, they go towards the continued use of animals (orphaned children who have been taken from their dead mothers) for monetary gain.