Unseen Animal Suffering of the Season: Rethinking Holiday Joy

The holidays bring families together in search of festive activities. Children are on school break, parents look for ways to create joyful memories, and communities promote outings that promise discovery and entertainment. Zoos, aquariums, circuses, farm visits, animal rides, and even pet shops are marketed as wholesome experiences, places where children can “learn about animals,” enjoy a spectacle, or receive a “special gift.” Yet industries built on animal exploitation intensify their efforts during this season, carefully staging what looks like joy at the expense of animals’ wellbeing.