Shrine Circus Protest at Woodbine Centre July 11th 2009 July 11, 2009

Boycott Animal Circuses!
Torontonians Against Animals in the Circus will be protesting the Shrine Circus at Woodbine Centre (near Woodbine Race Track on Rexdale Blvd.) on Saturday July 11th beginning at 2:30pm.

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Time: 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Location: Woodbine Shopping Centre
Street: 500 rexdale blvd

What's wrong with the Shrine Circus?

Shrine Circuses have deplorable records of cruelty to animals, serious violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act, and animal attacks resulting in injury and even death. Elephants used by Shriners have rampaged, killing trainers and injuring children. Although many successful charitable organizations never use circus fundraisers, about 150 of Shrine's 191 temples host annual circuses. These circuses raise funds for the temples' administrative costs, not for the Shriners children's hospitals.

The Shriners do not operate their own traveling circus; instead Shrine temples produce circuses by hiring an existing circus (Tarzan Zerbini Circus). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited Tarzan Zerbini for failure to provide a veterinary care program and medical records, failure to provide minimum space, and failure to properly maintain transport vehicles.

What's wrong with animals in the Circus?

Animals in circuses are beaten to make them perform tricks on command. If they do not perform properly, they are beaten some more. In cases where they snap and either run amok or attack someone, they are beaten again.

Protest details:
The circus is taking place inside a "big top" tent in the parking lot. Since this is private property, we will not be standing near the tent. The goal of the demo is to target the people entering the parking lot in their cars, or people walking on the sidewalk. Signs will be provided, most signs have large lettering to accommodate the cars driving by. There will also be 2 large banners to hold. Any questions can be directed to torontoanimalrights (at) ymail.com, you can also join our Facebook group.

TTC Directions:
37A Islington bus from Islington Station