Captive Animals

Welfare of Animals in Roadside Zoos

Roadside zoos operate below accreditation standards, keeping animals in severely inadequate conditions that cause chronic welfare suffering.

Key Facts

An estimated 2,000-3,000 roadside zoos operate in the US without accreditation
Tigers in roadside zoos in the US outnumber tigers in the wild in some estimates
Roadside zoo inspections by USDA are infrequent and penalties are minimal
Animals in roadside zoos commonly show severe stereotypic behaviors from chronic stress
PETA and others have successfully campaigned to close numerous roadside zoo operations

Welfare Considerations

Roadside zoo welfare violations represent some of the most severe and preventable animal suffering in the US. The gap between USDA minimum standards and welfare science best practice is enormous, and the animals living in these conditions have no recourse.

What You Can Do

Never visit roadside zoos or facilities with obviously inadequate animal conditions
Report welfare violations at roadside zoos to USDA and local authorities
Support PETA, HSUS, and other organizations campaigning for roadside zoo closures
Advocate for federal legislation raising minimum standards for animal display facilities