CIRCUSES: A CRUEL SPECTACLE THAT TEACHES THE WRONG LESSONS
By Melya Kaplan

For generations, animal-based circuses have been promoted as wholesome family entertainment. Children marvel at elephants balancing on stools, lions leaping through fiery hoops, and bears riding bicycles. But what are we really teaching them?

Melya Kaplan, founder of Voice For The Animals, has long warned about the hidden cruelty behind the spectacle. Circuses teach children that wild animals—who belong in their natural habitats—can be caged, dominated, and forced to perform tricks solely for human amusement. The unspoken message? That power and control over others are acceptable as long as it’s entertaining.

Few people stop to ask: How do these animals learn to perform? Why does a lion obey a trainer’s commands? The reality is chilling—wild animals do not perform willingly. They are coerced through fear, intimidation, and violence.

Melya Kaplan recalls a pivotal moment in her childhood that shaped her advocacy for animals. At just six years old, she watched a lion tamer crack a whip over a caged lion’s head. Confused, she wondered: If the lion wanted to perform, why was the whip necessary? Why did he need to be tamed? The answer became heartbreakingly clear—the lion obeyed out of fear, not choice. When the whip struck, the magnificent animal flinched and cowered. Young Melya cried out, “Don’t hit him!” but was quickly silenced by adults who saw her compassion as an interruption to their entertainment. That moment stayed with her forever.

Circuses that exploit animals send dangerous messages to children: that it’s acceptable to dominate the powerless, that suffering can be ignored when it serves human desires, and that cruelty is permissible if it’s disguised as tradition. These are the very values society condemns in human relationships—so why do we permit them when it comes to animals?

Today, growing awareness and activism led by advocates like Melya Kaplan have helped expose the cruelty of circuses. Many countries and cities worldwide have banned wild animal acts, recognizing them as outdated and inhumane. The public is increasingly choosing ethical entertainment options, like Cirque du Soleil, which showcase incredible human talent without harming animals.

If we are serious about reducing violence in our world, we must start with the lessons we teach our children. As Melya Kaplan emphasizes, true progress is measured by our compassion—not by our ability to control others. It’s time to leave animal circuses in the past and embrace entertainment that reflects the values of kindness, respect, and empathy.

Take action today! Support legislation banning wild animal performances, boycott circuses that exploit animals, and educate others about the cruelty behind the spectacle. Visit vftafoundation.org to learn more about how you can help end animal suffering.