stanley park petting zoo

the vancouver park board in british columbia has announced that it is considering closing the stanley park petting zoo. the vancouver humane society has publicly supported the closure of the petting zoo, stating:

"such facilities do not represent a modern, effective, safe way to educate the public, especially children, about animals. moreover, we believe petting zoos are completely inappropriate environments for animals. they are stressful, provide little opportunity for animals to engage in natural behaviours and are breeding grounds for disease."

not only are petting zoos bad for animals, they can also be extremely unhealthy places for children. outbreaks of e. coli at two different petting zoos in greater vancouver last year made at least six children sick. the bc centre for disease control has issued warnings about the health hazards presented by petting zoos.

the vancouver park board is accepting comments on this proposal. please write polite letters in support of closing the petting zoo:

Susan Mundick, General Manager
Vancouver Park Board
2099 Beach Ave.
Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4
pbcomment@vancouver.ca
604-257-8400
604-257-8427 (fax)