Pawcurious: With Veterinarian and Author Dr. V

Celebrating the truth that pets make people better.

You are here: Home / Daily Life / All the World’s a Circus

All the World’s a Circus

by

“To me, clowns aren’t funny. In fact, they’re kind of scary. I’ve wondered where this started and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus and a clown killed my dad.”   -Jack Handy

In my post about the Sea World tragedy last week, I mentioned how my friends have pretty much stopped inviting me on any Sea World trips. At least when I decline, I’m nice about it.

However, I neglected to mention the e-mail response I sent to the well meaning woman in my mom’s group who suggested we all take a group trip to the Ringling Brothers circus last year. I can’t say I was too diplomatic at all about that response, in which I helpfully included some links to all the abuses suffered by the exotic animals in their care. I went all “Water for Elephants” on her, truth be told.

Her response was a horrified, “I had no idea!” which was hopefully sincere and not just an attempt to tame the crazy lady. I think she meant it. Either way, the topic never came up again.

I declared a long time ago that I would never again set foot in a circus that used elephants, big cats, or any other exotics as part of their act. The history of animal abuse in the circus circuit is long and well-established, unfortunately. I’ve been hitting up the Cirque du Soleil shows every time they come to town instead, and haven’t looked back.

It was with a great degree of trepidation that I saw a big tent being erected in the parking lot of our local mall. Circus Vargas, it proclaimed. They’ve been around California for decades. They’ve been pestered (and deservedly so) for many years by PeTA for their treatment of the animals and elephants in particular- and I’m the first to admit, as extreme and reactionary as a lot of their actions are, they aren’t always wrong.

I went to their website today. I’m not sure why. Needing to stoke the fires of indignation? Imagine my surprise to find no mention whatsoever of their elephants, tigers, or bears. Trust me, I looked and looked.

They don’t have them anymore.

I’m sure this wasn’t a decision of conscience- wouldn’t they try to talk it up if it were? I imagine it was financial more than anything, the cost of maintaining these animals coupled with the fines they were slammed with over and over and over. I don’t care what the reason is. All I know is that the show is now, as it should be, just clowns, trapezes, and tightrope walkers.

So here is the question. I think the kids would enjoy seeing the show, and as it is described now I think I would too. I honestly didn’t think I would see the day when a traditional circus toured without that element that made it so objectionable. 10 years ago, attending would never have been an option. But times have changed, and I’m trying to decide how I feel about supporting a business that was guilty of some terrible actions in the past, but has been forced to evolve into something that is now OK.

I’m torn, because I remember this very circus and what they used to do. On the other hand, we know in the past circuses used to exploit not only animals but people with physical conditions. Change can happen, and part of me thinks that regardless of whether that change came from conscience or outside motivators, I can express my approval with agreeing to give it a chance. Besides, if they shut down, who’s left for everyone to go to? These guys.

Would you go?

ETA: I received an e-mail from Joan Hart, the Marketing Director from Circus Vargas, and she confirmed that the circus does not have animals in their shows (and apparently hasn’t for some time.) Yay Circus Vargas! Thank you!

I thank you all for your thoughts. This is good. I am going to call and get tickets now. 🙂

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I’d go. The optimist in me makes me say it’ll be okay. The lawyer in me says that you can’t judge someone until you’ve seen them in action and have evidence to prove they aren’t doing well. Also, even though their reasons may not be the altruistic ones you may want, at least it’s better than it was and faulting them for their past problems isn’t fair in my opinion.

  2. Yes. People change, businesses can change.

    Then you can come to IL to watch this: http://www.circuscats.com/

    (i think this is awesome since the only thing my cats are trained to do is run to their feeding spots when the cat food can opens!)

  3. Absolutely yes! I believe in redemption. Besides, think of it in terms of operant conditioning… you’re rewarding them (positive reinforcement) for a desired behavior (getting rid of exotic animals in their acts). If it doesn’t pay off economically, perhaps the tigers and elephants will make a comeback. And all-human circuses change hearts and minds about animals in circuses. It changes the cultural expectation of what you’ll see at a circus.

    Definitely support them, if they really have done away with the animal acts. (Just be really, really sure they’re gone first.)

  4. I agree – I think you should support them for making the change. The protest when Ringling comes to town!

  5. I would go, because now you would be supporting their decision (for whatever reason) to go cruelty-free. If they are a success now, then other circuses still using animals will see they can do well without them. Because no matter what it all comes down to the dollars. If they can make more money without the expense of the animals, then they will.

  6. I’m a firm believer that we dictate the behavior of businesses by where we put our dollars. By all means go, enjoy, prove to them that a show absent of animals is what consumers want and maybe other circuses will follow suit.

  7. I definitely agree with Kristyn in the idea of voting with your dollar. In all honesty, I wouldn’t go, but it’s mostly due to my personal freak out involving the crowds not because of the show itself. If I didn’t get all anxious in that kind of setting than, yeah, I probably would go and support their decision (plus, hey! I like a good high wire act.)

    I remember when I was little, I went to a local circus that featured your usual trapeze, clowns, etc. But my favorite act was this guy who came out with a couple of his dogs and performed this act where he danced with the dogs and they did tricks. I know it has a name (I have forgotten it), because I know this kind of obedience training is becoming more popular. I think more circuses should have that kind of an animal act. Who doesn’t love a good dog trick?