But Wilmette brought the circus to their town and they said that the animals "were treated like pets" and that the fundraiser made them a lot of money. 

The appearance of an animal rarely tells the whole story. When you see animals performing in the circus, you are seeing only what the circus wants you to see. You do not see the training sessions the animal experienced. You do not see the discipline sessions the animal may receive, and you often do not see the chains and tight quarters in which the animals spend hours a day. Ex- circus workers have testified to Congress about daily beatings of the elephants, and undercover videos have shown abusive training sessions, and frequent use of sharp hooks and whips to control animals. The videos also show animals in tiny cages or on chains, rocking, bobbing their heads, and swaying for hours on end, sometimes while standing in their own feces and urine. That is the unfortunate reality behind the glamour of what you see at the circus.

No amount of money is worth that kind of animal suffering.

Don’t laws protect circus animals?

The Animal Welfare Act provides a set of minimal standards for circus animals, and the US Department of Agriculture is charged with enforcing the AWA. Unfortunately, the standards are poorly enforced. There are approximately 100 inspectors watching about 8000 facilities (this includes animal research facilities) nationwide. The USDA has admitted its own inadequacy in both inspection frequency and corrections of violations. The long lists of citations most circuses have attests to the fact that even with its limited ability to enforce the law, the USDA catches circuses, often in flagrant non-compliance with the AWA. Disturbingly, there is no specific federal oversight of training sessions, and no laws against routine use of the bullhook or whips.

Don’t circuses help protect endangered species?

Captive elephant breeding programs have produced few elephants, and the number of adult elephant deaths has outpaced the number of births. 59 of the 77 elephants in North American circuses were captured in the wild. None of the elephants born in captivity will be released into the wild. The real problems affecting endangered species like the Asian elephant are loss of habitat and poaching for their ivory tusks. If circuses were genuinely interested in elephant conservation, they would be investing in field conservation efforts aimed at restoring lost habitat and reducing poaching. 

Are there alternatives to animal circuses?

Absolutely! In fact, there is a circus based in Evanston called The Actor's Gymnasium, that has all the traditional circus acts: trapeze artists, magicians, etc... without the animals. This Circus was available to replace the Kelly Miller Circus  for a comparable cost.  Using The Actor's Gymnasium would have been a wonderful way to promote humane values and support a local endeavor at the same time. Click here for a complete list of animal-free circuses.

  The Kelly Miller Circus says they treat their animals humanely and animal welfare groups say otherwise. Who are we supposed to believe?

Animal welfare groups are naturally going to be looking for any possible circus abuses, small or otherwise. On the other hand, the circus, even though they say they treat their animals humanely, exists to make a profit.

So how do you make up your mind?

Elephant Care International is a global resource for elephant care, not affiliated with any animal welfare organization or for-profit venture. They provide an unbiased protocol for captive elephant care. Spend some time on their website and read the reports that discuss captive elephant care, under the heading, New Management Statements. www.elephantcare.org

What if I already bought tickets?

Good for you for wanting to support two local foundations! Everyone of us who opposes the circus supports the Foundations' efforts to do good work in Deerfield, but if there is any doubt at all about if the Kelly Miller Circus treats their animals inhumanely or poses a safety risk to our residents, then why bring them?

If you already bought tickets, please contact the event organizers and tell them that you will NOT be attending after having learned more about the truth behind the circus.  Unfortunately, they will not be issuing refunds, but you can let them know you do not want the circus to return in the future.