A Port Moody councillor says it’s time for the provincial government to begin regulating mobile live animal programs like petting zoos.
Coun. Kyla Knowles said animals on display or made to perform face risks to their physical and psychological well-being.
She’s calling upon her fellow councillors to support a resolution to the Union of BC Municipalities calling for provincial regulations as well as updates to current regulations that will give animal welfare equal priority to public safety, along with a prohibition on the import, keeping, breeding and transport of exotic species.
Her motion will be discussed by council at its meeting tonight (Feb. 25).
In a report, Knowles said animals used in mobile live programs “are typically subjected to crowds of people, high levels of noise and handling by untrained people in unfamiliar spaces for long periods of time.”
She added animals’ transport to and from events can increase their stress levels and increase their potential for being mishandled.
Knowles said conditions can be particularly difficult for the young animals that are popular at petting zoos as they may be separated from their mothers during critical care and socialization periods.
She added it “raises questions of what becomes of animals once they outgrow the ‘cute factor?’”
Knowles said shelters and rescue groups should also not escape scrutiny if they use mobile displays of live animals as part of their fundraising or rehoming efforts as “that may endanger the welfare of the very animals that these organizations are attempting to help.”
As well, said Knowles in her report, mobile displays of live animals can pose safety and health risks from animals under stress or carrying pathogens and disease like E. coli or bird flu. The displays also send a damaging message that it’s OK to keep exotic species in captivity, she added.
Last month, Port Moody council’s governance and legislation committee tasked staff to develop a corporate policy banning mobile live animal programs from operating on public or private property in the city. It also rejected a recommendation that reputable animal rescue and sanctuary organizations be exempted from the new rules.
The decision was lauded by the BC SPCA and the Vancouver Humane Society.
The BC SPCA said it was “thrilled” to see local governments make policy decisions that will “enhance animal welfare in their communities.”
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