7 Ways to Avoid Supporting Animal Cruelty on Vacation ...

There are many ways to avoid supporting animal cruelty when you're on vacation. Sadly animals are often exploited for financial gain or simply for enjoyment. Tourists are seen as a source of income, and animals as a means of luring the tourists and their cash. But there are steps we can take to ensure that our money doesn't promote cruelty towards animals. Here are some ways to avoid supporting animal cruelty when you're on vacation …

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Festivals & Events

One of the ways to avoid supporting animal cruelty is to avoid festivals and events that promote cruel practices, such as the running of the bulls in Pamplona. But it's not enough to simply stay away - you should let people know you're not visiting and why. Contact the tourist office and inform them that you won't be holidaying in their town while such cruel practices continue.

Avoid Zoos

Some zoos are better than others, although whether they should exist at all is a matter for debate. Many keep their animals in unsuitable conditions that affect their well-being, and they are stared at by visitors all day. Also avoid marine parks and circuses with animal acts. It's wrong to teach sentient creatures to do tricks for our amusement.

Photos

When you see a cute animal and its handler, you may be tempted to have your photo taken with it. But what you don't know is that the animal may have been drugged so that it is docile, or had its claws removed so that it can't harm anyone. It will also have been trapped in the wild and probably taken away from its mother. Pay for a photo and you are encouraging the continuation of this cruel trade.

Souvenirs

Many countries prohibit the importation of souvenirs made from animals. You shouldn't even buy them and try to get them through customs, as buying such items helps create a demand - and so the trade continues. Items like shells, ivory and fur should be left on the shelf; if enough people do this then maybe the message would get through.

Animal Rides

Going for a ride on an elephant looks like fun, doesn't it? It'll make a great memory for your holiday. But will the elephant enjoy it as much as you do? You don't know if it's well cared for, and it's not what an elephant should be doing. Even horses may not be well treated. So it's best to avoid animal rides if you don't want to support cruelty.

Famous Quotes

If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.

Laozi

Report

Sadly not all countries have an enlightened attitude towards animal welfare, and even those that do have some cruel individuals. If you see any cruel behaviour towards animals, don't hesitate to report it to the authorities. You can also make a report to the Born Free Foundation (bornfree.org.uk).

Keep Your Distance

Wild animals should be treated with respect, not as entertainment, so avoid getting too close to them. It's not just for your own safety; they're not used to people and it may stress them if you get too close to them. Or it may put them at risk by encouraging them to trust humans - which is usually not good for them.

No animal should have to suffer so that people can have a good time - and it's perfectly possible to enjoy a vacation without contributing to animal cruelty. Keep your distance from the wildlife and respect their environment. What do you think of zoos - do they serve a useful purpose?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Lovely post. While I do understand your opinion on zoos, it is true some are better than others. Working at one, & being a huge animal supporter myself I can say be sure the zoos you visit are AZA accredited. These are the zoos that pass the highest standards & participate in species survival plans and conservation projects. Without them, endangered animals would not get the help they deserve. But like I said.. AZA accredited!

Great article!

Great post. It's a little relief to know that I'm not the only person that cares about animals even when I'm going on a vacation. Animals deserve love and respect.

Zoos aren't good at all. They rarely provide the nourishment and social aspects of being in the wild and in a tribe. No matter how accredited the zoo is, it's still a reality that the animals are kept behind bars, glass, concrete walls often in isolation if the zoo doesn't have a network of other animals for them. You can see images of elephants holding their own tails because they don't have a friend to hold on to, or lions pacing their enclosure wanting to get out. Zoos barely make a profit due to the high cost of keeping these animals alive so it's better not to even go and let the business (because it is a business looking to make profit and not entirely to educate people as it often claims) shut down.

Great post. People don't realize if you remove the collective demand there will no longer be supply and the animals can stay free

No problem! Thanks for the wonderful article

Thank you for the tip, Cass. That's helpful for people who would like to visit a zoo but feel unsure as to whether it's the right thing to do.

This is a great way to travel!!

The running of the bulls makes me so angry. Every year, I hate that MSN have the nerve to publish big articles about it on their main page with all the 'highlights' makes me feel sick. Those poor bulls. Makes me sad to think of them in such a distressed and aggravated state. Thanks to the writer for promoting this important info.

This is my favorite article so far. It's so straightforward and true.

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