FOUR PAWS celebrates the passing of the state bill that regulates certain wild animals in traveling shows and exhibits. On August 9^th, Governor Maura Healey signed "An Act regulating the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes and bears in traveling exhibits and shows," which bans the use of these wild animals in traveling shows likes circuses in MA.

In a press release, Governor Healey said, “For years, circuses have harmed the welfare of animals for the sake of entertainment, allowing animals to suffer in poor living conditions and stressful environments. I’m thankful to the Legislature for taking the steps needed to prevent this kind of animal mistreatment in Massachusetts.” 

It has taken two decades to pass this bill into law, and FOUR PAWS thanks our coalition partners who helped make this effort a success including the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, The Humane Society of the United States, Animal Rescue League of Boston, and others.

Before reaching the Governor, this bill passed the Massachusetts House on July 25, 2024, and the Senate on July 31, 2024.

 “We [FOUR PAWS] support these bills because the keeping, training, and transportation of wild animals like big cats, bears, elephants, primates, and giraffes in traveling shows involve some of the saddest forms of captivity and cruelty. Stuck in inhospitable conditions, these wild animals are brutally forced to adapt to abnormal surroundings and perform unnatural behaviors,” explained Melanie Lary, Research and Campaigns Manager for FOUR PAWS USA, in her testimony given on July 24, 2023 at the MA State House in support of the bill.

Governor Healey’s office explained more in the press release, “Effective January 1, 2025, this bill prohibits traveling acts, like circuses, carnivals and fairs, from using certain animals, including lions, tigers, bears, elephants, giraffes, and primates, for entertainment. Exceptions to the law include animals that live at the zoo; the use of animals in filming movies; and non-exotic animals like horses, chickens, pigs, and rabbits can continue to be exhibited.”

In the U.S., FOUR PAWS is proud to have advocated for this legislation in not only Massachusetts, but also in several other states like California, which in 2019 passed legislation protecting all wild animals from the inhumane use and abuse in traveling shows.

With years of experience rescuing wild animals from circuses and other public exhibits, FOUR PAWS will continue to push governments in both the U.S. and across the world to give captive wild animals a better life over their continued exploitation for entertainment.