Sometimes the government makes laws that most of us think should already be in place. In particular I'm talking about a bill before the Ontario legislature that regulates roadside zoo's. We've all driven past them. I've never taken the kids in. We've gone to African Lion Safari but these little zoo's just never looked right. I always figured that all zoo's had to meet some regulations but I was wrong. Right now laws only apply to native wildlife. There are no regulations for keeping tigers, lions or monkeys. Liberal MPP David Zimmer introduced a bill that requires and enforces licensing and inspection of privately owned zoos, as well as training qualifications for operators and staff. Bill 154, The Regulation of Zoos Act, also requires adequate standards of care for the animals and safety for the public. Here are some of the regulations of the new act:

16. (1) A person who operates and maintains a zoo shall ensure that each animal in the zoo receives, in accordance with the prescribed standards, care appropriate to the species and the animal's individual needs, including, but not limited to,

(a) the provision of an appropriate diet and potable drinking water at all times;

(b) the provision of space sufficient to allow for the expression of species-typical behaviours, movement and exercise;

(c) the provision of appropriate substrates, shelter, privacy, furnishings and environmental enrichment;

(d) the provision of a physical environment that satisfies the full range of biological and behavioral needs, whether at the licensee's premises or away from them;

(e) the provision of an appropriate social environment; and

(f) the provision of appropriate veterinary care.

It seems to me that these new laws are just common sense but some roadside zoo keepers are not even trained in how to care for exotic animals or domestic ones for that matter. Here's an online petition.
More info

Dave