Big E Protests (9/13-14, 9/20-21, 9/27-28) and other ways to take action!

Hello Fellow Animal Advocates, So it's that time yet again! The Big E(xploitation of Animals) is back this year, with Commerford Petting Zoo, which always includes camel and pony rides (12 hours/day), and POSSIBLY some exotic animals (kangaroo, zebra, patagonian cavies, African parrot, macaw, oryx, etc.). They also own 2 trailers with "freak" animals ("world's smallest horse", a unicorn, and giant pig) that people pay to walk through and gawk at. Those animals have no companionship, exercise, and hardly ever see daylight or breathe fresh air. Commerford also has over 50 Animal Welfare Act violations, accidents and injuries. And they owned Beulah, an elephant who collapsed and died on day 3 of the 2019 Big E due to a uterine infection and septicemia. She was seriously ill yet they still chose to put her on display for The Big E to squeeze every last penny out of her. It's disgraceful that they are still allowed to be in business. Fortunately, their elephants and lemurs will never again be allowed back at The Big E now that The Circus Bill passed last year, although other wild animals may still be there and camels are seen by the USDA as "domestic". But domesticated animals suffer too! We must continue our campaign until The Big E removes Commerford Petting Zoo. We will also be protesting pig racing and ox/horse pulls at The Big E this year. Piglets endure frightening noise, repeated transport, and confinement in tiny cages. Ox and horse pulls force animals in heavy yokes to strain against concrete blocks while being whipped and struck (even in the face) before crowds that include children. Fortunately, we were told the circus will have no animals again. Our work is paying off! Please contact The Big E and thank them for that big step forward, but urge them to remove Commerford Petting Zoo, pig racing and the ox/horse pulls. Scroll down for more info. Your attendance is still VERY important, as we are FAR from done! There are still many animals in entertainment at The Big E that need our voice. We will once again be using a flyer especially made for The Big E with the help of Compassionworks International (CWI). We are SO incredibly fortunate to have their help! MORE ABOUT EXHIBITS WE WILL BE PROTESTING: 1. Commerford & Sons Petting Zoo (https://commerfordzoo.com/) - Many animals are kept in a tiny confined space with loud mobs of people 12 hours a day, 17 days in a row. They always have camel & pony rides and may have exotic animals too. The camels and ponies are forced to give rides 12 hours a day all 17 days with few breaks. The ponies' heads are tethered tightly to a wheel - https://photos.app.goo.gl/sAqJXHPkLLVvxDGW7. Commerford has also had animals on display in trailers ("Unicow", “Porky the Giant Pig”, "Giant Horse", & “Smallest Horse”). They are kept isolated in tiny trailers to be gawked at, with no companionship, exercise, daylight or fresh air. https://photos.app.goo.gl/QcFPC4Hwj7QohzMs8 * Commerford's long list of over 50 AWA violations & accidents/incidents - https://www.peta.org/.../CommerfordPettingZooFactsheet.pdf* Pictures of Commerford Petting Zoo at the 2023 Big E - https://photos.app.goo.gl/SCY2o2MPvkPxkG9H9 Two of their three elephants died in 2019...Beulah, as you know, while suffering from a uterine infection and septicemia at The Big E, and Karen, at just 38, at their Goshen, CT site. Disturbing footage went viral in 2018 of Minnie looking sickly and limping and one of their exhausted camels in distress, unable to stand being forcefully yanked by the neck. That footage sparked nationwide outrage and our protests received news coverage from media outlets throughout New England. https://www.wtnh.com/.../big-e-commerford-responds-to.../https://www.cbsnews.com/.../iteam-big-e-elephant-camel.../ 2. "Swifty Swine" Pig Racing -Pig racing can be terrifying for piglets and the constant transportation is very stressful. The noise of the audience and fair frightens the pigs. The training techniques can also be cruel. They may involve food deprivation, electric shocks, or beatings. Even if they are not trained inhumanely, the pigs are confined to tiny transport cages or trailers and shipped from event to event much of the year. And there is rarely any veterinary care on hand for injured pigs. 3. Ox/Horse Pulls - This antiquated contest has no need nowadays. Imprisoned in yokes, the oxen and horses have no choice but to strain themselves to pull the concrete forward to avoid getting another vicious strike on their backs. There are no limits to the amount of strikes or whips they can receive. Some are even in the face. This is a form of slavery and is no longer necessary or justifiable in agriculture in this country. Yokes and whips are required in this cruel sport-like display where children are often in attendance. ***Signs will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. I'd be glad to provide you with ideas and even materials, if necessary. ***Rain or shine, except in the case of heavy rain or thunderstorms! Check for a cancellation email, FB post, or call/text 413-374-1921 the day of protest.