Roadside Zoos

We secure new legal protections for animals held captive at roadside zoos: In 2018 the Animal Legal Defense Fund scored a major victory for endangered animals living in captivity at roadside zoos. A three-judge panel of the Eighth Circuit issued a unanimous decision upholding a district court’s 2016 ruling that Cricket Hollow Animal Park (formerly Cricket Hollow Zoo), a roadside zoo in Manchester, Iowa, violated the Endangered Species Act by providing substandard care for the four tigers and three lemurs who were the subject of the lawsuit.

This ruling is significant for Cricket Hollow’s animals, and sets important precedent that we will use to help many more.

We secure better living conditions for animals held captive at roadside zoos: Our lawsuits often result in the owners of roadside zoos either being ordered to move their animals to sanctuaries, or choosing to do so voluntarily.

We fight for stronger laws, and better enforcement of existing laws: The Animal Welfare Act is the chief federal law that governs roadside zoos. The law itself, as well as its enforcement by the Department of Agriculture, are frequently criticized for allowing roadside zoo operators’ inhumane practices to go unchecked. State laws vary considerably, with some having such lax oversight that the states become known as havens for cruel roadside zoos.

Captive animals need better laws, and better enforcement of those laws. Our legislative affairs team advocates for stronger state and federal laws. And we are also using the regulatory process to advocate for stronger protections under existing laws.

For instance we are urging the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to change to the way it grants Animal Welfare Act licenses to roadside zoos. The current licensing program makes it incredibly easy for facilities that are violating the AWA to remain licensed. We have submitted comments to the USDA opposing the rubber-stamp license policy, in addition to challenging the dangerously permissive procedure in court.