PETA Seeks Zoo Animal Mistreatment Reports
Report Animal Cruelty, Improper Habitats & More Online & By Phone
Jul 27, 2008
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) now offers an online reporting form on its Zoo Insider site, where concerned citizens, zookeepers and other zoo staff can “be a hero to animals in zoos” by reporting improper care and practices affecting the captive animals.
Reports concerning animal mistreatment, neglect and other improper practices at zoos can also be reported by calling 1-866-ZOO-TIPS.
Zoos are a controversial topic among animal rights advocates, who claim that zoos exploit animals for profit. PETA and other animal rights groups argue that zoos and other businesses and organizations that utilize animals for entertainment ignore the animal’s social, mental and physical needs for the sake of profit.
It’s not just visitors to zoos who are urged to report concerns; zoo volunteers and employees are also encouraged to report cases of animal cruelty, improper care, unethical practices and anything else that places a captive animal’s physical, mental and social well-being at risk.
“If you work or volunteer at a zoo, then you probably care deeply for animals and are dedicated to their well-being. It is naturally upsetting when colleagues and supervisors don’t consider the animals’ best interests to be their top priority. You may even learn about situations, policies and practices involving negligence, mistreatment or preventable accidents that harm animals. When that happens, you may be the animals’ only hope for justice and protection,” PETA explains on its Zoo Insiders site.
How to Report Animal Cruelty, Negligence and Other Improper Practices at Zoos
When concerns arise, it’s recommended that documentation (in the form of photographs or video) be obtained when possible.
PETA’s Zoo Insider reporting form is straightforward and takes less than five minutes to complete.
The form seeks information on the zoo’s name and location, the timeframe of the incident in question, the nature of the incident, and the animal who is involved in the situation. Whistleblowers are also urged – but not required – to provide their contact information. This information is kept confidential and it can prove vital if the investigators at PETA have follow-up questions concerning the report.
Zoo visitors, volunteers and zoo staff are encouraged to report the following types of incidents:
- Escape
- Death
- Injury to animal(s)
- Injury to zoo personnel
- Neglect
- Abuse
- Improper diet
- Incompatible social grouping resulting in injury or death
- Splitting of bonded animal pairs for transfer to other facilities
- Unsuitable habitat (i.e. the enclosures are too small, poorly designed, unsafe, or not maintained)
- Insufficient veterinary care
- Selling, buying, or transferring animals to or from exhibitors, private collections, circuses, exotic animal auctions, canned hunting facilities, or zoos not accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association
- Importation of wild-caught animals
- Frivolous spending (i.e. funding spent on landscaping, sculptures, amusement rides, etc., instead of providing better care or facilities for animals)
- Stereotypic or repetitive behavior (i.e. behavioral disturbances, including pacing, head-bobbing, rocking, swaying, bar-biting, pulling out hair or feathers, and self-inflicted wounds)
- Inadequate environmental enrichment
- Insufficient or untrained staff
- Dangerous handling practices that endanger keepers, animals, or the public
In the event that PETA confirms violations of the Animal Welfare Act, Endangered Species Act, or other statutes, the organization will promptly file the complaints with the appropriate agencies. And notably, the whistleblower’s identity will not be revealed.
Video footage and photographs can also be helpful in PETA’s investigation of cruelty and exploitation in zoos, so whistleblowers are urged to provide this type of evidence when possible.
PETA had this message for anyone who is considering reporting a situation involving animal cruelty, neglect or improper zoo practices: “Please don’t give animals in need the cold shoulder. Instead, be their hero and ensure that they receive the protection and care they deserve.”
Report zoo-related concerns online via the PETA Zoo Insiders page, or call 1-866-ZOO-TIPS.
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