Prohibiting Circuses and Traveling Acts that Use Animals
Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals
Wild animals used in circuses and traveling acts endure severe abuse and neglect. Help protect these animals by passing a ban on the use of animals in circuses and traveling acts in your own city and county!
As of 2025, twelve states have already banned or restricted the use of wild animals in traveling exhibitions:
- Rhode Island (2016) – banned the use of bullhooks.
- Illinois (2017) – banned the use of elephants in traveling shows.
- New York (2017) – banned the use of elephants in traveling shows.
- New Jersey (2018) – banned the use of wild and exotic animals in traveling shows.
- Hawaii (2018) – banned the use of wild and exotic animals in traveling shows.
- California (2019) – banned the use of all animals in circuses, except for dogs, cats, and domesticated horses.
- Colorado (2021) – banned the use of elephants, big cats, bears, and other animals in circuses and other traveling shows.
- Kentucky (2022) – banned the use of both endangered species in circuses and exotic animals in county fairs, including a ban on elephant rides.
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Virginia (2024) – banned the use of bullhooks.
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Maryland (2024) – banned the use of elephants, big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates in traveling shows and circuses.
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Massachusetts (2024) – banned the use of elephants, big cats, bears, nonhuman primates, and giraffes in traveling shows and circuses.
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Washington (2025) – banned the use of elephants, nondomestic cats and their hybrids, bears, and nonhuman primates in traveling shows and circuses.
Additionally, more than 150 cities and counties across 37 states have restricted or banned the use of wild animals in circuses and traveling shows with more than 1/3 of those laws passing since 2014. Your city could be next.
Watch our webinar on passing local legislation!
Circus Ban Factsheet
Circus Ban FAQs
The Animal Legal Defense Fund is here to help you enact a ban in your city or county! Review these resources to get started. Fill out the contact form on this page for further assistance.
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