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Save Turtles from Entertainment Exploitation

1,657 signatures toward our 30,000 Goal

5.52% Complete

Sponsor: The Animal Rescue Site

Help us end Brennan's turtle races and champion a future where entertainment no longer comes at the expense of animal well-being.

Help us end Brennan's turtle races and champion a future where entertainment no longer comes at the expense of animal well-being.

Since 1975, Brennan's Pub in Marina del Rey has been known for its unique spectacle: live turtle races. Twice a month, patrons gather to watch these gentle creatures race, an event that has become a longstanding tradition at the pub1.

While some may view this as harmless entertainment, the reality for the turtles involved is far from ideal.

The Impact on Turtles

Despite Brennan's efforts to ensure the turtles' well-being, including habitat improvements and rules against touching or booing the animals2, the races place the turtles in a loud and unnatural environment.

This exposure can cause significant stress and anxiety, with potential long-term health effects3. Turtles, like all animals, thrive in peaceful, natural settings, not in the center of a boisterous crowd.

A Call for Compassion

The outcry from animal rights groups and concerned individuals is growing louder. Organizations like In Defense of Animals and the Los Angeles Animal Defense League have voiced their opposition, urging Brennan's to find alternative entertainment options that do not involve live animals4.

The message from these groups is clear: "Turtles are not toys."

Embracing Change

Brennan's Pub has shown a commitment to animal welfare in other aspects, such as improving the turtles' living conditions and emphasizing vegan menu options2. This demonstrates that the pub is capable of positive change. Now, it's time to take the next step by ending the turtle races.

Take Action Now

We believe Brennan's Pub can become a leader in ethical entertainment by discontinuing the turtle races. This will not only ensure a more humane future for the turtles but also set a powerful example of compassion and respect for wildlife.

Join us in calling for an end to the turtle races at Brennan's Pub. Sign the petition today to make your voice heard. Together, we can advocate for a change that respects all beings and paves the way for more ethical forms of entertainment.

More on this issue:

  1. Rebecca Roland, Eater LA (21 March 2024), "Animal Rights Activists Are Protesting the Brennan’s Turtle Races."
  2. Brittany Michelson, IDAUSA (8 March 2024), "Los Angeles: Protest Brennan’s Turtle Races in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 21."
  3. Zach Armstrong, Santa Monica Mirror (20 March 2024), "Animal Welfare Groups Plan Protest Against Turtle Racing."
  4. Hews Media Group (18 March 2024), "Demonstrators Want to End 49 Years of Turtle Abuse at Brennan’s Irish Pub."
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The Petition:

To the owners of Brennan's Pub,

We, the undersigned, call upon you to end the longstanding tradition of live turtle races at Brennan's Pub. While this event has been a part of your establishment's history since 1975, it is time to reconsider its impact on both the animals involved and the community at large.

The turtle races subject these sensitive creatures to a loud, chaotic environment, which can cause undue stress and anxiety. Despite the precautions you've taken, such as limiting their exposure time and prohibiting physical interaction from the audience, the very nature of these events is not conducive to the well-being of the turtles. Experts have raised concerns about the potential long-term health effects of such stress on the animals.

Furthermore, this tradition sends a problematic message to patrons, especially younger viewers, about the treatment of animals. It suggests that it's acceptable to use living beings for entertainment, overshadowing the values of empathy and respect for wildlife.

We urge you to explore alternative forms of entertainment that do not involve live animals. Such a shift would not only demonstrate a commitment to animal welfare but also align with a growing societal emphasis on ethical and humane treatment of all beings.

By discontinuing the turtle races and adopting more compassionate forms of entertainment, Brennan's Pub can lead the way towards a more humane future, showing that tradition and respect for all life can coexist in harmony.

Sincerely,

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Signatures: