12/22/2024
90 Years Later… WE FINALLY DID IT 🤍
On November 28, 2024, Evansville animal advocates made history as we witnessed the 90th Annual Hadi Shrine Circus unfold—for the first time ever—without elephants and without the publicly visible use of pain-inducing devices such as bullhooks or whips. This milestone took years of persistent efforts from dedicated local animal advocates. We refused to give up on the animals. We fought as if lives depended on it—because they did.
🐘 Protests
Year after year, through rain and snow, we protested. Veteran local activists like Glenda have been advocating tirelessly for over a decade! We changed minds and hearts, raising awareness about the plight of circus animals and their suffering in captivity, training, and on the road. Onlookers often spoke to us, admitting how “sad” the elephants looked and expressing their support for our cause. Despite the verbal insults and taunts we faced, we stood strong—for the animals.
🐘 Three Years of Legislative Work
In August 2021, we began approaching the Evansville City Council to advocate for a ban on wild and exotic animals in traveling circuses. Annual protests weren’t enough—we needed permanent change. We spoke at countless meetings, made numerous calls and emails, and met individually with council members to stress the importance of a ban, both for animal welfare and public safety.
This movement united people of all ages— Christine’s 7-year-old handed out leaflets at a council meeting, and 70-year-old retired EVSC teacher Jean spoke passionately for the cause. With significant public support, we gained momentum. Even after the Shriners announced in May 2024 that they would no longer feature elephants, we remain committed to pursuing a permanent ban to ensure no animals are ever abused this way in our city again.
🐘 Bearing Witness and Reporting Abuse
Animal advocates often had to endure heartbreaking visits to the circus to document abuse. This is how, in 2021, the unlicensed tiger exhibitor Adam Burck was exposed and removed from the show—thanks to a whistleblower. In 2024, zebras and whips were absent due to multiple complaints made to Animal Control documenting whip usage the previous year.
We worked closely with the Evansville Animal Control and Education Commission to uphold existing Municipal Code 6.05 Animal Control, Section 6.05.040 Prohibited acts (A) (17) which states: “No animal may be induced or encouraged to perform through the use of chemical, mechanical, electrical, or manual devices in a manner which will cause or is likely to cause physical injury or suffering to the animal”. Our advocacy ensured this law was enforced, to the extent that even our Vanderburg Humane Society CEO Kendall Paul voted No on the circus exhibition permit for two consecutive years — 2023 and 2024. She echoed a sentiment we all share: Please fundraise humanely without exploiting animals.
To every single activist who contributed your time, energy, and passion to this victory—THANK YOU. 🤍 Perseverance pays off.
To every person in power who listened, took a stand, and showed compassion—THANK YOU. 🤍 It takes immense bravery to care for animals in a world that often disregards them.
To the news media outlets— THANK YOU for giving the cause an unbiased coverage over the years and helping spread public awareness. 🤍
To the Shriners— THANK YOU for replacing many archaic animal acts, such as those involving elephants, bears, and tigers, with far more entertaining human performers. 🤍 While this year’s circus still featured camel rides, pony rides, horses, cats, dogs, and a python photo-op, it was a massive step in the right direction and we look forward to attending a 100% animal-free Shrine Circus in 2025 and beyond.
We will continue our fight against animal exploitation in all its forms. Through diverse methods of activism, we’ll strive to create a kinder community for our animal friends. Together, we can move mountains. 💪🏽🤍
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) — The big top returned to Ford Center as the Hadi Shrine Circus celebrated it’s 90th year and for some families it can be a Thanksgiving tradition. “We are…
