10/19/26 - Elephant Cruelty Should Not Be a Membership Benefit
11 minutes ago
2 min read
The Texas Foster Family Association (TFFA) is promoting free elephant rides at the November 6–8 Moslah Shrine Circus as a membership benefit—including encouraging families to purchase a $25 membership so their children can ride. CompassionWorks International is asking both TFFA and Moslah Shrine to end their roles in this exploitation.
Elephant cruelty should not be a membership benefit.
Elephants are intelligent, deeply social animals. A life of repeated transport, confinement, performances and rides places human entertainment ahead of their needs. Families deserve enjoyable activities that teach compassion and respect for animals. Elephants deserve lives beyond the circus.
Two actions. Two decisions that can help elephants.
1. Tell TFFA to withdraw the elephant-ride offer
TFFA can support children and families without promoting animal exploitation. Ask it to withdraw the offer, stop promoting and distributing elephant-ride tickets, and commit to animal-free family activities. The request extends beyond this event: animal rides and other exploitative attractions should never be used as membership incentives.
2. Tell Moslah Shrine to end elephant rides and wild-animal acts
Moslah Shrine Circus is scheduled for November 6–8 in North Richland Hills, Texas, with Royal Hanneford Circus. Ask Moslah to cancel elephant rides at this event and make a permanent commitment to future circuses without elephant rides or wild-animal performances. Human performers can provide exciting entertainment without forcing animals to perform.
CWI believes elderly elephants Kelly and Isla are likely to be among those used at Moslah, based on their documented history with Royal Hanneford Circus. Their participation in this event has not been confirmed. Both have spent decades traveling and performing; CWI advocates for their retirement to sanctuary.
Our demand does not depend on which elephants arrive in November. Moslah must end these attractions permanently. Please take both actions and share them with others who believe compassion should be part of every family outing.
