Summer without animal cruelty: 8 animal-friendly travel tips

Temperatures are rising and the summer holidays in Germany are either just around the corner or have already begun.

Right on time for the travel and holiday season, Humane World for Animals Germany (formerly Humane Society International) is publishing an animal-friendly travel guide with 8 tips to help travelers enjoy a summer free from animal cruelty and animal suffering.

Unfortunately, exploitative and cruel tourist attractions exist in almost every country. The animal-friendly travel companion offers valuable tips for travel to European destinations as well as Thailand, South Africa, the USA, and other countries. The focus is on street animals, carriage rides, so-called culinary “delicacies” such as whale meat, wildlife souvenirs, and elephant bathing.

Sylvie Kremerskothen Gleason, Country Director at Humane World for Animals Germany, says:Animals are not tourist attractions. Those who refrain from riding elephants or camels, taking selfies with wild animals, or attending dolphin shows are sending an important message – one of compassion, respect, and opposition to animal suffering. Ethical travel begins before departure: those who inform themselves can make conscious decisions and help prevent the exploitation of animals while on holiday. Our tips show how animal-friendly travel can succeed..”

8 tips for a summer without animal cruelty:

1) Properly caring for street animals

(e.g. Spain, Italy, Greece, or India)

Among the most popular travel destinations for Germans are Spain, Italy, and Greece, among others. These countries also have particularly large numbers of stray animals. It can be difficult to witness the suffering of these four-legged animals, and many travelers want to help. Humane World for Animals recommends researching local animal welfare groups or shelters at the holiday destination in advance — and if necessary, noting their contact details in case they encounter an animal in acute distress. Local shelters are often overcrowded and may recommend caring for the animals where they live. Direct contact and asking how one can help is the best approach. Donations of goods or food can also help to support shelters and rescue operations.

2) Do not attend bullfights or bull festivals

(e.g. Spain, France, Portugal, some regions of Latin America)

Cruelty is neither entertainment nor culture — when vacationing in countries such as Spain, France, Portugal, or some regions of Latin America, travelers should refrain from attending bullfights, bull festivals, or other events in which animals are subjected to stress, pain, or fatal injuries. Bulls are often kept without food or water for days before a “fight” in order to weaken them. In the arena, they are then repeatedly stabbed with lances, pikes, and daggers, causing them tremendous pain and leading to severe blood loss — until the matador finally delivers the death blow to the exhausted animal with a sword.

3) Getting around cities without contributing to animal suffering

(worldwide)

They exist in large and small cities alike: carriage rides, most commonly drawn by horses. The idea of exploring a new city in a horse-drawn carriage may seem appealing to many tourists. But in reality, it conceals a great deal of animal suffering. The horses are often required to pull heavy carriages for hours on end, without breaks and frequently in extreme temperatures. They receive little or no veterinary care, are not provided with sufficient water or food, and spend the entire day walking on hard pavement. The animals also breathe in exhaust fumes every day and are exposed to the dangers of road traffic. At night, they are often housed in non-species-appropriate, overcrowded stables where they can barely move. When a horse can no longer pull carriages due to age or health reasons, the animals are frequently simply surrendered, sold, or “donated” for slaughter. Humane World for Animals urges people not to support these exploitative offerings.

4) Supporting wildlife tourism sustainably and free from animal suffering

(e.g. South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Costa Rica and USA)

Tourists should not have their photos taken with wild animals such as parrots, monkeys, lion cubs, sloths, snakes or wild cats, and pay for it. These animals are often stolen from the wild or bred under poor conditions and sedated to make them easier to handle. Many of them are beaten, and their teeth or claws are removed.

In South Africa, thousands of lions are bred in captivity and separated from their mothers just a few days after birth to serve as photo props for tourists. Humane World for Animals calls this “cuddle fraud,” as many visitors are unaware that these very same cute lion cubs with which they take selfies are condemned to a life full of suffering, exploitation, and ultimately death. Once the cubs grow too large for photos, they are marketed for “lion walks” and later sold to canned hunting operations or killed for the trade in lion bones. Humane World for Animals recommends the comprehensive guide Wild Choices, to make informed decisions about interacting with captive wildlife in South Africa.

In Costa Rica, Humane World for Animals member supports the campaign #StopAnimalSelfies, which educates visitors about ethical behaviour when interacting with wildlife during tourist activities. This guide shows travellers how to take photos in a responsible manner.

Humane World recommends supporting only certified, animal-friendly and sustainable wildlife tourism and photo tourism.

5) Admiring dolphins and whales with respect

(e.g. Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, Iceland, USA, Japan, China, United Arab Emirates, Bahamas, Costa Rica, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica)

Dolphins, whales, and other marine mammals do not belong in captivity. Humane World for Animals is convinced that these animals are best observed in their natural habitat along the coast or in the ocean, and must not be kept in captivity and exploited for shows or "swimming with dolphins" experiences. In the wild, many whales and dolphins live in close family groups with bonds that sometimes last a lifetime. They travel great distances each day and dive several hundred meters deep. None of these natural behaviors can ever be replicated in the confined, sterile world of captivity. The boredom and frustration of life in a tank can lead to skin problems, collapsed dorsal fins in orcas, conflicts among individuals, increased mortality rates, and severe stress in the animals.

In Germany there were originally 14 dolphinariums; today only two facilities remain, housing a total of 14 dolphins. There is no official ban, nor one at the EU level. Worldwide, approximately 3,700 whales and dolphins are held in captivity, and in many European countries such as Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands, as well as in the USA, Japan, China, and the United Arab Emirates, dolphinariums remain widespread. Humane World for Animals urges travelers not to attend these shows.

In June, Mexico passed a landmark ban prohibiting the use of marine mammals in captivity for entertainment effective immediately.

6) No souvenirs made from wild animal body parts

(Worldwide)

Souvenirs made from body parts of wild animals — such as tortoiseshell (from sea turtles), teeth, feathers, hides, hair (from giraffes or elephants), or ivory — mean that an animal had to suffer for that keepsake. Furthermore, purchasing such items may support poaching and the illegal trade in wildlife. For travelers who wish to support local communities, Humane World for Animals instead recommends purchasing paintings, carvings, or handcrafted products without animal components from local artisans.

7) Experiencing animal-friendly cuisine

(Worldwide)

For many travelers, trying local culinary dishes is part of the holiday experience, but this should not come at the expense of animals. Those who wish to opt for more animal-friendly choices when selecting restaurants and menus should research local establishments in advance. Many restaurants now offer plant-based alternatives. HappyCow, Instagram, or TikTok can help find vegetarian or vegan restaurants at your holiday destination. Many traditional dishes from around the world are naturally plant-based. Browsing local markets for interesting fruits and vegetables you have never tried before can also be an exciting culinary adventure.

The animal welfare organization warns against trying supposed local "specialties" that often conceal cruel animal suffering. This applies in particular to shark fin soup, dog or cat meat, as well as crocodile, kangaroo, or whale meat. In Iceland, whale meat is consumed predominantly by tourists who mistakenly believe it to be a local tradition. In reality, most Icelanders do not eat whale meat at all.

8) Avoid elephant, donkey, and camel riding as well as elephant bathing

(e.g. India, South Africa, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Morocco, and countries in Europe)

Riding an elephant, camel, or donkey on holiday may seem harmless — for the animals, however, it is anything but. They are forced to carry heavy loads for hours without breaks. Particularly in Asia, mainly in India and Thailand, elephant rides and tours are actively marketed to tourists. The animals are largely captured from the wild as babies, and their spirit is “broken” through brutal methods so that they will later obey humans.

Camels and donkeys, such as those in Egypt or parts of Europe, are often forced to transport tourists without adequate breaks, shade, or water. They receive little or no medical care when injured. Many of these animals are beaten with sticks or whips, brutally trained, and chained for hours during breaks. On the Greek island of Santorini, for example, donkeys are forced to carry excessively heavy loads — including tourists — up steep pathways. In the process, they are sometimes beaten and receive neither sufficient food nor water, shade, or rest periods.

Even seemingly harmless attractions involving elephants – such as bathing or painting – can be associated with cruel training methods, poor keeping conditions, and punishment outside of shows. Animals are also often made “compliant” using iron hooks. Instead of treating animals like a taxi, Humane World for Animals urges travelers to use animal cruelty-free means of transport such as walking, electric bicycles, or local tuk-tuks.