A dark chapter in the animal trade is coming to an end. It was a gigantic business. A place where animals were not treated as living beings, but as commodities. Zoo Zajac in Duisburg, known as the largest pet shop in the world, sold around 200,000 animals at a time on 12,000 square metres - including monkeys, reptiles, sloths, crocodiles, parrots, rodents and fish 1PETA Germany, "Zoo Zajac: Decades of animal suffering ended - after insolvency, the zoo finally closes", 2025, available at: https://www.peta.de/themen/zoo-zajac/ .
A veritable shopping centre for living creatures. Customers could stroll through rows of cages, stand between glass terrariums and simply choose their new "pet". But behind the scenes, conditions were cruel for many animals:
- Animals were kept in cages that were far too small 2PETA Germany, "A success for the animals: Zoo Zajac closes", 2025, available at: https://action.peta.de/page/email?mid=ba0232f1917f4f0ea1161025ba7c8697 .
- Some suffered from behavioural disorders - such as endless rocking back and forth or fur biting 3PETA Germany, "A success for the animals: Zoo Zajac closes", 2025, available at: https://action.peta.de/page/email?mid=6650df6120a9424f9785177a9aa7e070 .
- Reptiles and amphibians were kept in terrariums that did not even begin to replicate their natural habitats 4PETA Germany, "Zoo Zajac: Decades of animal suffering ended - after insolvency, the zoo finally closes", 2025, available at: https://www.peta.de/themen/zoo-zajac/ ,
- Exotic animals that are never suitable as pets were sold to people who had no idea what these animals really needed 5PETA Germany, "Zoo Zajac: Decades of animal suffering ended - after insolvency, the zoo finally closes", 2025, available at: https://www.peta.de/themen/zoo-zajac/ . The shop assistants must have realised that the animals would experience nothing but suffering for the rest of their lives. They didn't care.
For many of these creatures, the purchase did not mean a new home - but a slow, agonising time in inadequate conditions.
But after decades of protest from animal welfare organisations and growing pressure from society, the news came: Zoo Zajac filed for insolvency and will be closed for good 6PETA Germany, "Zoo Zajac: Decades of animal suffering ended - after insolvency, the zoo finally closes", 2025, available at: https://www.peta.de/themen/zoo-zajac/
A reason to celebrate? No. As long as there are buyers, as long as speciesism is the order of the day, as long as zoos, zoo pet shops and the trade in animals are not frowned upon, animal suffering will continue generation after generation.
✅ Do not buy animals in shops!
If you want a pet, you should adopt instead of buying. Every animal you buy takes away the chance of a shelter animal finding a home 7PETA Germany, "Zoo Zajac: Decades of animal suffering ended - after insolvency, the zoo finally closes", 2025, available at: https://www.peta.de/themen/zoo-zajac/ .
Exert political pressure!
Demand clear laws against the sale of animals in pet shops and online platforms. The trade must be regulated or banned to prevent further animal suffering 8PETA Germany, "A success for the animals: Zajac Zoo closes", 2025, available at https://action.peta.de/page/email?mid=6650df6120a9424f9785177a9aa7e070 . This is more important than ever now that Germany has elected a chancellor whose party has no interest in animal welfare. And mia filthy Bavarians have elected a party whose prime minister openly and publicly tramples on animals. Disgusting. What a disgust. I'm ashamed to live in Bavaria.
✅ Spread awareness!
Share this article. Talk to friends and family about the dark side of the pet trade 9PETA Germany, "A success for the animals: Zoo Zajac closes", 2025, available at: https://action.peta.de/page/email?mid=6650df6120a9424f9785177a9aa7e070 . The more people are informed, the less animals are seen as commodities.
Support animal welfare organisations
PETA and other organisations continue to fight against the exploitation of animals. Donations or active support can help to achieve further successes 10PETA Germany, "A success for the animals: Zoo Zajac closes", 2025, available at: https://action.peta.de/page/email?mid=6650df6120a9424f9785177a9aa7e070
