Chicago Ordinance Proposal!

As many of you are aware, there is a proposed city-level animal ordinance in Chicago which, if passed, would prevent circuses with elephants from visiting the city. Currently, the proposed language would prohibit anyone from using a tether with an elephant except for veterinary purposes. This ordinance would not permit circuses to properly transport and house elephants in the Chicago city limits (including the annual Ringling Bros. engagement at the United Center). Feld Entertainment and Chicago-area Circus Fans have been in contact with City Council members and in attendance at relevant Council hearings the past few months in efforts to prevent the passage of this ordinance. However, we expect the ordinance to come to a vote before the full City Council soon. Therefore, e-mails of opposition from Circus Fans and other supporters are needed as soon as possible. The attached document contains contact information for the 50 aldermen members of the Chicago City Council. Please politely urge the aldermen to vote “no” on the proposed elephant ordinance introduced by Alderman Mary Ann Smith. Some talking points to consider in your e-mails include: Your experience with various circuses and seeing first hand the care they provide for their animals. Circuses provide a unique opportunity to see animals and humans perform together. The history and special tradition that circuses hold would be denied children in Chicago if the ordinance passes. The circus industry (and all elephant handlers) are already highly regulated and inspected by the federal government through the U.S. Department by Agriculture. Further, all performing animals in circuses are subject to animal protection laws at the state and local level when they visit Chicago. As a Circus Fan, you can state that you support the enforcement of current animal protection laws, and that you also support and enjoy the use of performing animals in circuses. Thank you very much for your help in contacting the Chicago City Council on this important issue. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, and please feel free to forward this alert to other Circus Fans who are interested in assisting in this effort. Sincerely, Mary LouThis Mary Lou Kelly Grassroots Coordinator, Government Relations Feld Entertainment, Inc. (703) 448-4000, ext. 27238 mkelly@feldinc.com