Calling For A Legislative Ban on Petting Zoos in Shopping Centres

I am on the move again..after being taken away from my mother since I could remember, I have always moved. In what seems to be a short space of time I am on the busy road once again with others I do not know. Whenever I try to be social, everyone else is as clueless as me, as to what's going on. We're all scared. And there's these strange new beings around me, touching me constantly, in a place I'm not familiar with. It won't be long before we've got to pack up and leave again, where am I going and what's the point?
Yes, I am a rabbit from a local mobile animal farm company, participating in the 'education' of young citizens around local shopping centres in Sydney's western suburbs.

So what are petting zoos?

Many people are familiar with the setting and have probably been around a couple during their childhood or even adulthood. Petting zoos are mobile farming operations that are often found at agricultural shows, carnivals, circuses and zoos or in this case shopping centres. (A place of hard flooring, noise, artificial light and children roaming). A most unnatural environment for thriving young animals to be in. There is stress undergone by these animals- influenced by the crowded setting and indoor environment they are forced upon. It is clearly not a suitable situation for these early-stage development animals to be in. Will it have an affect on their life? Do these animals have much of a life or are they killed off when no longer needed? And is it wrong to have such natural creatures forced into a man made, busy shopping centre? It has come to my attention after an incident in Parramatta that YES, it is extremely WRONG.

I am advocating for a #BAN ON PETTING ZOO's in shopping centres by the local council and RSPCA in the parramatta and Western Sydney suburbs. Apart from an unfamiliar environment in stressful surroundings, in such an important phase of most younglings lives, there are many other problems that arise from petting zoos in shopping centres. 'Zoonoses' is a disease that can be passed from human-animal interactions. Animals carrying disease, in many cases will not show any signs before it is too late. Disease can be spread through direct contact of children's hands from animal to mouth. And yes, operators must take precautionary action to prevent this type of thing from happening, but I say, it is simply not enough. In 2005, the 'Buffalo News' brought to our attention the state officials claiming

"An outbreak of E. Coli bacteria in Florida has caused kidney disease in several people which has been definitely linked to animals from petting zoos at three fairs".

This was ten years ago. So why are they still around today if this is a prominent outcome of petting zoos?

A recent petting zoo placed in Parramatta Westfield, in September, 2014 (being there for the school holidays)pictured above, allowed the retail giant to come face to face with the reality of animal conditions, which were noted by passing bystanders. Hazel Stephens- director of Animal Liberation NSW saw "the animals at Parramatta were visibly distressed by the noise, being handled by children and by inappropriate enclosures" The Westfield says they will not be holding a petting zoo for the next holidays, but haven't ruled it out for the future, claiming it's 'not up to them to decide'.

Animal Liberation's view on the matter are also disapproving…

"Petting zoos give children the impression that animals exist for them to be treated without regard for their well-being" it "normalizes the idea of captivity" and has "no educational value".

The Animal Liberation.org website states that most petting zoo animals are are very young and have been prematurely taken away from their mothers. That they are denied their normal socialization and development process, often frightened and in various states of distress. It is not hard to figure out that a young animal placed into a shopping centre such as the Parramatta Westfield will cause much distress. It is often over crowded, filled with artificial light and man-made establishments which is no place for a developing animal.

RSPCA’s view

The RSPCA's views on petting zoos are agreeable with the notation of these arrangement to be undergone with the mindset of animal welfare in favour. However this does not seem to be the case as these extreme situations are clearly having an effect on the animals. The RSPCA policy updated last in 2008 claims "animals must be chosen for their sustainability for handling and not subjected to injury, suffering, distress or excessive disturbance" "RSPCA Australia advocates the adoption of compulsory minimum standards for the welfare of animals in petting zoos and animal encounters". Since when did a minimum standard involve not looking after the basic needs of animal rights?

Petting zoos in NSW are regulated by the department of Primary Industries General Animal Exhibition Standards. But I think it is time and am calling for a legislative change from the local council to ban petting zoos in shopping centres of Western Sydney. It needs to be RSPCA approved too.