Port Moody set to ban petting zoos, delighting animal welfare charities

Mobile petting zoos may soon become a rare sight for residents of Port Moody as the city looks to ban live animal entertainment, much to the delight of local animal welfare charities.

Port Moody is looking to ban mobile petting zoos, a move that has been celebrated by local animal welfare charities.

The BC SPCA announced Thursday that it was joining the Vancouver Humane Society in “celebrating” Port Moody city council’s decision to develop a policy banning the largely unregulated petting zoos, which was made during a meeting Tuesday.

“The BC SPCA is thrilled to see local governments like the City of Port Moody make progressive policy decisions to enhance animal welfare in their communities,” said Nadia Xenakis, the BC SPCA’s wild animal welfare specialist, in the release.

“Making our province a safer, more caring place for animals and people requires change at all levels of government, and Port Moody has demonstrated that they are a leader in this regard.”

An initial motion was put forward by Port Moody Coun. Kyla Knowles during a council meeting in 2023. At that time, she shared concerns over animals being put on display for the public’s entertainment, and the treatment and handling of such animals.

Knowles introduced a motion, unanimously voted for by council, to ban rodeos from being held in the city, alongside the motion to permanently ban petting zoos.

“The City of Port Moody and its council extends respect and care to all residents, including animals,” said Knowles, quoted in the release.

“We believe in gently co-existing with our wild neighbours and ensuring our actions don’t harm them. We lead by example, and banning mobile petting zoos is an easy, low-barrier step to show our commitment to animal welfare in Port Moody.”

During the meeting on Tuesday, the BC SPCA and the VHS were joined by concerned Port Moody residents who aired their grievances about the welfare of animals in petting zoos via letters and presentations.

In one letter, detailed in the council’s meeting agenda, resident Michael Herberts described the farm entertainment as an “antiquated notion that may have served a noble cause in the past, but (is) no longer valid with what we know and practice today.”

Herberts raised concerns over the health and wellbeing of the animals and the children who typically do the petting, citing worrying, easily spread diseases like E.coli and salmonella.

Other letters detailed the stress the transport and handling brings to the animals.

“While petting zoos are often marketed as a fun and educational experience, particularly for families and children, research indicates there is little positive educational value,” the BC SPCA said in the release.

According to the animal welfare charity, even “healthy-looking” animals can transmit pathogens that can spread diseases like E. coli, salmonella and avian flu to people and other animals, with stressed animals being the most likely to shed those pathogens.

“Young children are most at risk of infection as they’re the least likely to remember to wash their hands after touching animals and have an increased risk of serious illness because their immune systems aren’t fully developed,” it said.

Among the “numerous animal welfare and public health and safety concerns,” the BC SCPA highlighted how the animals on display are often handled roughly or improperly by untrained staff and members of the public, adding how the noisy crowds of people that often swarm animals in petting zoos cause additional discomfort to the animals.

“Transporting animals to and from mobile petting zoos and regularly introducing them to unfamiliar places and situations increases their stress and the risk of injury and distress,” it said.

With baby animals typically being the most sought-after in petting zoos, poor breeding practices are also rife to keep up with the ever-growing demand, it noted.

Xenakis said the BC SPCA hopes the move made by Port Moody council encourages other local governments, and the provincial government, to make similar changes to their policies and regulations surrounding petting zoos and animal welfare.