Mom to Mom

[issiestorm]

The OP is determined to take her grandkids to this torture show rather than take the opportunity to teach them an important lesson that could greatly benefit them in life. How sad.

[BORN AGAIN]

I stopped going to those stupid circus' once I found out how they treat animals. I love animals and do not appreciate them being tortured to do stupid tricks. You have been told, now if you still want to go see the circus, I don't have much respect for you or anyone else. I stand firm.

[mamaglam]

You also have to think about the other side of the issue. How much does it cost to buy an elephant or a tiger? How much does it cost to feed, maintain & train an animal? Is the only way to train something is to beat it? You have to keep those animals healthy. You can't have them sick or you have no show which is how they are making money & paying for all of the things that it takes to keep all of that show going & all of those people that work on that show getting a paycheck. Also living in the wild is not necessarily a lovely life. You have predators after those animals. If they get sick or hurt there is no vet there to help them. You can't really think of these animals as plodding around that ring wishing that they were out on the Serengeti. They are being fed regularly & taken care of. They get to wear cute outfits It may be a great life! It may not always be great, but life is not always great anywhere. That is all I am thinking.

Oh my God lady, get your head out of the sand!!! In the wild, nature rules. Of course there are predators, usually humans waiting to cut off the tusks of elephants or rhinos. Or conducting "canned hunts" so they can have a lion skin as a trophy. Circus elephants are "trained" using bull hooks which cuts through their flesh, and kept chained when they are not performing. and I'm sure they love wearing "cute outfits" Wake up and see the cruelty.

[mamaglam]

On 1/30/2015 mamaglam said:

You also have to think about the other side of the issue. How much does it cost to buy an elephant or a tiger? How much does it cost to feed, maintain & train an animal? Is the only way to train something is to beat it? You have to keep those animals healthy. You can't have them sick or you have no show which is how they are making money & paying for all of the things that it takes to keep all of that show going & all of those people that work on that show getting a paycheck. Also living in the wild is not necessarily a lovely life. You have predators after those animals. If they get sick or hurt there is no vet there to help them. You can't really think of these animals as plodding around that ring wishing that they were out on the Serengeti. They are being fed regularly & taken care of. They get to wear cute outfits It may be a great life! It may not always be great, but life is not always great anywhere. That is all I am thinking.

Oh my God lady, get your head out of the sand!!! In the wild, nature rules. Of course there are predators, usually humans waiting to cut off the tusks of elephants or rhinos. Or conducting "canned hunts" so they can have a lion skin as a trophy. Circus elephants are "trained" using bull hooks which cuts through their flesh, and kept chained when they are not performing. and I'm sure they love wearing "cute outfits" Wake up and see the cruelty.

[jessa]

Omg. Anybody who doesn't understand and believe the facts of the sad life of circus and zoo animals just has DECIDED to ignore and not believe imho. How could anybody deny the truth of it?

[Rileyx]

On 1/30/2015 Jezzebell said:

Omg. Anybody who doesn't understand and believe the facts of the sad life of circus and zoo animals just has DECIDED to ignore and not believe imho. How could anybody deny the truth of it?

So true. There are horror stories and graphic photos all over the internet.

[NickNack]

I couldn't even read this until today, because I didn't want to think about taking children to a circus. Please reconsider and don't do this. It's very cruel to animals to make them live this way. All of these posts about the horrific treatment the animals receive is true.

[NickNack]

On 1/28/2015 DiAnne said:

I guess this also includes zoos??

No, it doesn't include zoos. Many zoos work to preserve the species. They also provide large areas for the animals to roam and live in. The animals aren't trained to perform. They are very different from zoos. Of course, some zoos are substandard but most are not.

[Plaid Pants]

I don't like circuses anymore, either.

When I was a kid, sure. As an adult? No.

When I was about 13 or 14, my parents and I were in our local mall, and there was this booth where you could have your picture taken holding a lion cub.

I have always loved lions, and cubs are cute, so I asked my parents if I could.

I didn't know any better.

I didn't stop to think where the mama of the cub was, or how the cub was living without it's mom.

I have the picture still, and I am so ashamed of what I took part of.

[kitty60]

Back to the original question, I would go for Shriners for a young kid. I have always found them reasonably priced for the event and the extras. Not only are the children entertained but you support a great cause. The first time I took my son he was young and was ready to leave halfway through, I had no problem doing so. He enjoyed what he saw. My one issue was taking his friends and parents not warning me the kid was afraid of clowns!