Success: California Bans Wild Animal Circuses and Fur Industries

Target: Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

Goal: Support bans on exploitation and slaughter of wild animals for profit.

California just achieved a couple of major wins for animal welfare. In two separate but equally important new laws, animals exploited and even killed for commercial purposes will benefit from greater legal protections. This ForceChange petition implored state leaders to ban circuses from using and abusing animals for performance purposes. And this petition took on the commercial fur industry and its deadly outcomes. Thanks to such prolonged and impassioned efforts, California has listened to the united voice of the people.

In the first major victory, Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature made California the third U.S. state to impose a ban on circus animals. All species of wild animals will be covered by the ban, including tigers, lions, elephants, and bears. Governor Newsom said of the new law: “We are making a statement to the world that beautiful wild animals like bears and tigers have no place on trapeze wires or jumping through flames.”

The second landmark legislation—the first of its kind in the country—banishes both the manufacturing and the selling of any new fur products. The fur industry has enabled the electrocution and gassing of countless rabbits, chinchillas, mink, and additional animals worldwide. This important new law follows up on another recent piece of legislation that barred fur trapping within the state.

Sign this petition to thank California for its renewed commitment to ensuring animal rights.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Governor Newsom,

The recent wave of animal welfare legislation in California is a bright spot in an often dark political landscape. These efforts speak to the heart of what truly effective, empathetic lawmaking can accomplish. Because of the laws and everyone who made them possible, thousands of animals will be safeguarded from abuse, exploitation, and death.

Greedy profiteers will no longer make millions openly from the sweat and blood of animals that should be free to roam in their natural habitats. The circus performance ban and the fur ban set a needed new standard for humane treatment going forward. Thank you for listening and validating the voices of so many.

And please keep up the good fight for all living beings.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Roger W.