Take Action

The good news is that you as an individual have tremendous power to help change the lifetime of misery faced by animals that perform in circuses. There are a number of things you can do to start helping right away.

What You Can Do and How We Can Help

1. Before the Show Comes to Your Town

   • Understand the Four Reasons Why You Should NOT Attend A Circus that Uses Animals.

   • Join our Circus Activist Network! We want to add you to our list of circus activists in order to get you the most up-to-date information about animal circuses and to help link you with other activists in your area, should you choose that option. For more information, contact Born Free USA united with API's circus department at 916-447-3085 x204 or advocacy@bornfreeusa.org.

   • Find out which circuses and animal acts will be performing in your area, then check their United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) exhibitors' records to see if they have been cited for violating the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). If the circus has been cited — whether for improper care of animals or for public safety hazards — spread the word!

     Born Free USA united with API has compiled many of the circuses' USDA records and incidences into single fact sheets. See the "Specific Circus Fact Sheets" portion of our website to view the history of the circus that is coming to your town.

   • Find out when and where the circus or animal act will perform in your area. Contact the group(s) sponsoring the circus, as well as the venue where the shows will be held. Let sponsors know that there are plenty of spectacular animal-free circuses and shows out there, so they do not need to support animal cruelty or public danger inherent in animal circuses. If the circus has violations of the AWA, provide that information as well. We have compiled Sample Letters to Business and Media sponsors with instructions on how to personalize yours.

2. Use the Media to Reach a Large Audience and Educate the Public

   • Our new billboards have arrived and now you can boldly spread the message that animal circuses mean a lifetime of misery for the animals. Born Free USA united with API provides the billboard materials; all you need to do is secure the space, and many billboard companies offer non-profit rates. For more information on how to secure and display a billboard in your area, please contact us at 916-447-3085 x204 or advocacy@bornfreeusa.org.

   • Write a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper explaining why animal circuses mean a lifetime of misery for animals and how they pose a threat to public safety (see our sample). Newspapers often run "fluff" pieces about the circus, and it is important for an opposing viewpoint to be heard. If the circus is performing in a college town, contact the school newspaper about writing an "op-ed" piece. Don't forget about small neighborhood papers as well! See our "Four Reasons Why You Should NOT Attend a Circus that Uses Animals" for tips on framing your argument.

   • If you plan to hold a peaceful protest at circus time, contact us for free flyers that tell circusgoers about "A Lifetime of Misery" faced by performing animals. These flyers gently inform circus patrons about what goes on behind the scenes of the big top. In addition, contact us for fact sheets on the individual animal circuses to be inserted into our flyers. Please order your materials in plenty of time. Click here to join our Circus Activist Network which will allow you to order materials for your protest.

   • For our Activist Tools, click here.

3. While the Circus is in Town

   • Find out when and where the animals will be unloaded and walked to the performance venue prior to opening night and be there — with a camera or video recorder in hand. Immediately report any suspected problems to your local humane officer. In addition, let us know what you witnessed so we can generate media coverage and contact the appropriate governmental officials..

   • Gather fellow activists and peacefully protest. During the show, be near the venue entrance to hand out our flyers. Be careful to comply with any local or state laws regarding where to stand, etc. Although we cannot legally advise you, we can help you on any policies in place in your area. You will be surprised by the number of people who still do not know about the lifetime of misery faced by performing animals. Education is powerful! Let circus-goers know about the many wonderful animal-free circuses that provide compassionate fun for the whole family. In addition, please take a picture of your group protesting and send it to us.

4. After the Circus Leaves

   • After the show, monitor the news closely for reports of incidents involving performing animals, including escapes or attacks. You might even contact your police and city shelter after the show to see if there were any complaints. Sometimes they are called in to intervene when an animal escapes, yet the story never makes it into the paper. Please let us know what you discover, as we keep a database of all incidents.

   • Unless they hear from you, lawmakers may not be aware of how strongly their constituents feel about the unnecessary use of animals in circuses. Your words can sway them and help bring understanding as to why ending the use of animals in these shows is so important. Approach public officials about joining the many cities across the U.S. that have banned traveling animal acts in their city (see API's list). Emphasize that for the safety of animals as well as people, the city should enact a restriction on traveling animal acts and circuses. Born Free USA united with API can help with model ordinances and advice on how you can get animal-friendly legislation passed in your area.

   • Contact circus sponsors, whether media or businesses and ask them to support only animal-free acts in the future.

   • Please share your progress with us! We are thrilled to get pictures of your protests, videos of your demonstrations, and the like. If your efforts receive media attention, please let us know, and send us a copy of the coverage if possible.

   • If you agree that now is the time to end the exploitation of animals in circuses, please sign our pledge reflecting your commitment and return it to us. We will collect signed pledges and deliver them to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus — letting Ringling know just how many people prefer animal-free circuses.

We are currently building a nationwide team of circus activists. Join our Circus Network »
For more information, please contact us at advocacy@bornfreeusa.org.