The following media statement can be attributed to Paul Boyle, Ph.D., National Director, American Humane Certified™:

“For 142 years, American Humane has been committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and well-being of animals. Our leadership programs serve nearly one billion animals every year in the United States and around the world.

“We know animal welfare, including marine mammals. We have been to SeaWorld and assessed the well-being of their animals. Our expert auditors and veterinarians found no abuse. On the contrary, we witnessed excellent care and healthy animals.

“SeaWorld is American Humane Certified which means we have inspected their facilities and they met our rigorous certification criteria for the good welfare and humane treatment of animals. SeaWorld underwent exhaustive examinations including in-depth comprehensive assessments of actual animal welfare conditions and practices for more than 70,000 animals and intensive on-site assessments by multiple teams of independent auditors.

“SeaWorld is doing right by the animals in their care. Critics should be dismissed when they don’t have long-standing animal welfare experience, haven’t been to SeaWorld or conducted any audits.”

About American Humane

The Humane Certified™ program is the first certification program solely devoted to helping verify the welfare and objectively good treatment of animals living in zoos, aquariums, and conservation centers across the globe. The program enforces rigorous, science-based and comprehensive criteria for animal welfare, developed by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of world-renowned leaders in the fields of animal science, animal behavior, and animal ethics.

American Humane is the country’s first, national humane organization, founded in 1877. For more information, please visit www.americanhumane.org.