Image: “Sometime come the mother: Sometime the wolf.” by Jesse Millan cc Attribution License

There are conflicting values surrounding the use of animals in rodeos. Some people view these cattle as athletes that must be carefully cared for to perform at their best, others just view them as entertainment, and some believe that animals should not be used in rodeos at all. Two quotes below represent the different values regarding rodeos of two organizations:

“The BC SPCA recognizes British Columbia’s ranching tradition and supports the
showcasing of low-stress handling skills and horse riding events that do not cause fear,
frustration, anxiety, pain or injury to an animal.
The BC SPCA only accepts rodeo events and other exhibitions or competitions involving
farm animals if the Five Freedoms are provided to all animals during housing, training,
transport and the performances themselves.
Accordingly, the BC SPCA opposes events that function by causing fear, frustration,
anxiety, pain or injury to an animal, whether or not they are sanctioned by a professional
rodeo association.”
-BCSPCA 2010

“The CPRA supports the responsible and humane use of animals and believes that all animals utilized in entertainment, industry and sport should be afforded proper care and management. The CPRA rejects animal rights philosophies that call for the creation of rights of animals being equal to those of human beings, prohibition of use of animals for medical research, and for the end of all use and interaction with animals.”
-CPRA 2010