Roadside zoos an affront to animal welfare

July 19, 2023

GUELPH — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to a new report showing that Ontario has “weak and non-existent regulations” regarding roadside zoos.

“Ontario Greens strongly condemn the inhumane practices that have been allowed to run rampant at private roadside zoos in Ontario.

Animals kept in horrendous conditions or solitary confinement; ill-equipped facilities with unsafe enclosures; injuries to animals, handlers and visitors alike – how many more horror stories does this government need to hear before taking action?

Greens call on the Ford government to immediately implement the recommendations made to them by World Animal Protection:

• Require enforcement officers to conduct comprehensive reviews of all Ontario zoos to identify violations of the PAWS Act standards and take appropriate measures to address them.
• Develop and implement a mandatory licensing program for all facilities, businesses and institutions housing native and exotic wild animals.
• Implement a possession, breeding and acquisition ban on facilities, businesses and institutions that do not meet licensing standards.
• Prohibit the use of wild animals for entertainment as well as the possession, keeping and breeding of dangerous and/or problematic wild animals by private individuals.”

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