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Animals in Entertainment - Circuses, Zoos, Rodeos, and Racing

This page will explore the ethical issues behind using animals in entertainment, including circuses, zoos, rodeos, racing, cockfighting, and dog fighting. Issues will include confinement of wild animals in captivity, and the ethics of training and forcing animals to perform and fight.
Should Zoos Keep Endangered Species?
Zoos are widely regarded as guardians of endangered species, so why do animal rights activists object to zoos keeping endangered species?
Arguments For and Against Horse Slaughter
While animal advocates argue against horse slaughter, some horse breeders and owners say that horse slaughter is a necessary evil.
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and Animal Cruelty
Background and history of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race; Cruelty to the dogs and other animals, including culling, beating, whipping and deaths, from an animal rights perspective.
Study Shows Elephants in Zoos Live Shorter Lives
A study published in Science magazine in December, 2008, finds that zoo captivity shortens elephants' lives. An international team of researchers examined data from over 4,500 elephants, and found that elephants in zoos live much shorter lives compared to those in Kenya's Amboseli National Park and even compared to elephants working in a logging camp in Myanmar.
Why Are Horses Sold for Slaughter?
Why are horses sold for slaughter? Unlike farms with cows, pigs and chickens, no one in the US seems to be breeding horses specifically for slaughter, so where do the horses come from?
Performing Animal Welfare Society
Performing Animal Welfare Society rescues abused animals and surplus animals from zoos, circuses and other forms of animal entertainment.
Circus Cruelty
This PeTA website documents animal cruelty in circuses.
Greyhounds and Horses in Racing
This website by In Defense of Animals explains the cruelty behind horse racing and greyhoung racing.
Showing Animal Respect and Kindness
SHARK campaigns against animal cruelty at rodeos.
Elephants in Zoos
Elephants are widely regarded as the animals who suffer the most in zoos. Website by PeTA.
Iditarod Information From the Sled Dog Action Coalition
The Sled Dog Action Coalition documents cruelty to the sled dogs in the Iditarod sled dog race.

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