SHUT DOWN ZOOS THAT AREN'T AZA ACCREDITED!!

AZA stands for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Zoos only get AZA accreditation if the Accreditation Commission evaluates them and measures them "against the established standards and best practices" for zoos and aquariums. The Accreditation Commission is "a group of sixteen experienced and trained experts in operations, animal welfare and husbandry, and veterinary medicine". These people determine if AZA standards are being met by the zoo they are evaluating. In 1971, when AZA was created, zoos started to become much better and humane places for animals to live, because more zoos were "striving to reach the standards required for AZA membership and accreditation". Zoos began to think about the welfare of the animals, and not just about human entertainment and making big bucks. Unfortunately, today, "fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture are AZA accredited!" Most of these zoos are simply to make money and NOT for the welfare of the animals at all. The animals live in sad conditions, with little or no enrichment and spend the majority of their lives pacing in empty cages. Many suffer from depression.

Tell the United States Department of Agriculture to shut down zoos that aren't AZA accredited, and rehabilitate (if possible) the animals or send them to sanctuaries!!!!