Port Moody doesn’t want petting zoos or mobile live animal programs of any kind to alight in the city.
Tuesday, Jan. 21, council’s governance and legislation committee tasked staff to develop a corporate policy banning such enterprises from operating on public or private property in the city. But councillors rejected a staff recommendation that there be exceptions for reputable animal rescue or sanctuary organizations, non-profits and groups that display accepted domestic animals like ferrets or wildlife like owls or hawks.
Port Moody environmental technician Jan Lee told councillors some exemptions from the policy would be advisable to avoid “unintended consequences” like shutting out legitimate organizations registered with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries or those that have achieved certification through Humane Canada.
Coun. Amy Lubik said the new policy should also cover private properties in the city, despite some staff concerns about enforcement.
“When it comes to animal cruelty, if it’s cruel on public land, it’s cruel on private land,” she said.
Lee said staff received several complaints about the standards of care and supervision of animals in a display at last year’s Fingerling Festival. He said some noted a turtle wandering around the busy arena floor in the rec centre that could have easily been stepped on.
As well, the city has received letters from the BC SPCA and Vancouver Humane Society expressing concerns about live animal programs.
In a delegation to councillors at their meeting Jan. 14, representatives from the BC SPCA said mobile live animal displays offer little educational value and present a risk to the animals’ physical and psychological well-being as well as the health and safety of the public.
Lee said in busy locations, animals may be traumatized by “excited kids, balloons popping, things like that.”
He said several communities in Metro Vancouver have enacted some sort of bylaw or policy regulating live animal programs, although each has a different approach.
New Westminster, for instance, bans shows, performance and exhibitions using live animals unless they are domestic or companion creatures. Chilliwack prohibits shows, circuses or carnivals from using wild or exotic animals to perform or fight for the amusement or entertainment of an audience.
Lee said while mobile live animal programs are sometimes promoted as building awareness of conservation efforts, research shows those entreaties ring hollow.
“People might learn there’s a problem, but they don’t come away thinking they can be part of a solution.”
Thursday, the BC SPCA and VHS lauded Port Moody's decision.
"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 a news release.
Port Moody’s new policy prohibiting mobile live animal programs will also capture rodeos, which were previously banned by council in 2023.
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