Animal Welfare

Some people may try to persuade you with stories of alleged abuse and mistreatment of the animals you see at a rodeo. Let me introduce you to some facts about rodeo, and the animals we use in the sport.

Animals used in professional rodeo often live longer lives than those that do not engage in this sport. This is due to the high quality of veterinary care given to each animal used in professional rodeo.

For many animals used in the rough stock events, professional rodeo provides a means of survival. If it were not for rodeo, most of these animal would meet a premature end in a slaughterhouse or be destroyed. In this way, professional rodeo protects, saves and enriches the lives of many thousands of animals.

As anyone truly familiar with animals will tell you, an animal will not perform or act unless it is healthy and has proper care. An animal has a mind of its own. One cannot force an animal to do anything.

As you may be aware, the sport of professional rodeo has come under attack by animal rights extremists in recent years. We are not their only target. They victimize organizations that make even the smallest use of animals. These activities range from informational picketing to breaking-in and destroying medical laboratories searching for cures to many fatal and crippling diseases.

The members of our organization, the American Professional Rodeo Association (APRA), and those in the sport of professional rodeo, believe in our American freedoms, rights and way of life. We believe in the right of people to demonstrate their views in a peaceful and responsible manner. Their is room in our society for people to hold opposing or differing options. No one person or group should force their beliefs on all others in society.

We believe that our rights to use our animals are equally correct and defensible and, with that right, comes the responsibility of providing our animals with the necessary care. We invest much time, money and love into our animals.

Our animals are our partners, companions and friends. For some, their animals are their sold means of support for themselves and their families. It is not unusual for professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls to provide for their animals before themselves.

We are professionals in our sport, and we conduct ourselves as such. We have strictly enforced rules and codes of conduct about the humane treatment of our animals. Disqualification and heavy fines face anyone who mistreats their animals. In this manner, professional rodeo associations do more to promote the true welfare of animals, than many so-called animal rights groups.

Well-maintained livestock is a qualifying factor for a rodeo production company's membership in the APRA. This is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors. APRA judges inspect all animals before each competition to determine fitness for competition enforce strict rules governing the contests and proper use of equipment. They have the authority to impose fines or expulsion from competition for violations. The APRA maintains a very strong set of rules concerning humane treatment of livestock by both the rodeo companies and the contestants. The judges, APRA administration and Board of Directors are equally conscientious about their responsibility to enforce these rules and to impose and uphold fines if necessary.

Considerable respect and admiration, felt by rodeo contestants for the animals, shows during the annual awards. These awards go to the best in the rodeo animal world. At the same time, the champion cowboys and cowgirls receive their honors. The animal awards go to perfection of performance of the contestants and the animals. In order to obtain these honors, the contestants and the animals must be in good physical condition.

The anti-rodeo group of extremists who publish literature has a common theme -- it appeals to the emotions of the reader. The claims within have absolutely no basis in truth or fact! It is often easer to sway people with charismatic speeches that appeal to one's emotions, rather than with facts for the intellect of individuals.

The future of professional rodeo revolves around, and is dependent on, the humane treatment of our animals. APRA is moving forward to protect the future of professional rodeo and the lives of animals. We are aggressively working to preserve our western heritage, values and way of life. Our animals are a the heart of this effort. Through our continued focus on humane issues we will protect not only the future of professional rodeo, but also our western heritage and American freedoms.