Elephants, Coyotes, and Bears, Oh My!

From Boston to the Berkshires, the MSPCA and animal advocates traveled across the state, speaking out for those that cannot speak for themselves.

Exotic Animals in Traveling Shows

We started October 22 at the Massachusetts State House, where we rallied on the front steps to speak out against traveling acts that use exotic animals and in support of H. 2934 and S. 2028, An Act relative to the use of elephants, big cats, primates, and bears in traveling exhibits and shows. Advocates attended with signs showing support for the bills, reminding the public that this exploitation happens right here in Massachusetts. Rally speakers included Preyel Patel, Staff Director for Representative Lori Ehrlich (sponsor of H. 2934), and representatives from the MSPCA, Four Paws USA, Nonhuman Rights Project, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and The Humane Society of the United States.

Advocates then headed to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development hearing, to give compelling testimony in support of these bills. The Committee also heard persuasive testimony from Sponsors Senator Jim Welch and Representative Lori Ehrlich, who, along with Representative Brad Jones and Senator Bruce Tarr, have been instrumental in the advancement of this legislation.

Would you like to help? There is still time to submit written testimony to the Tourism Committee in favor of H. 2934 and S. 2028. You can also call/email your legislators asking them to support these bills. Are you legislators already co-sponsors? Send them a quick note, thanking them for their support! Click here to learn more about this legislation, its co-sponsors, and more.

Wildlife Killing Contests

Our advocacy work on October 22 ended in Lenox, MA, where we attended the first public hearing to speak in favor of MassWildlife’s proposed regulations banning coyote killing contests, as well as killing contests of bobcat, red fox, gray fox, coyote, opossum, raccoon, weasel, fisher, mink, river otter, muskrat, beaver, and skunk. The MSPCA opposes coyote and all wildlife killing contests because of their unsporting nature, their exploitation of wildlife, and their disregard for ecological impacts.

We urge you to speak out with us, in favor of these proposed regulations. Call, email, or attend the next and final public hearing (on October 29) to urge the MassWildlife Board to vote YES on these regulations and to thank MassWildlife for responding to the public’s opposition to killing contests. Click here to learn more about these regulations, and what you can do to help wildlife in Massachusetts.

Thank you to all the fantastic advocates that spent their day speaking out for animals. Your presence, passion, and testimony, are irreplaceable!