The Nile Shrine Circus played to modest crowds the weekend of April 10-11 at Seattle’s KeyArena. PAWS volunteers and staff members were on hand distributing 1,500 leaflets.

Titled "Performing Prisoners," the leaflet offered tips for circus-goers to recognize signs of animal abuse in performing animals. The leaflet also suggested that circus-goers support circuses that don’t rely on animals for entertainment, such as Le Cirque du Soleil, Circus Nexus, and the New Pickle Circus.

Many families attending the circus were seen leaving at intermission with some vowing never to return, their sentiments perhaps influenced by PAWS’ leaflets.

PAWS is a member of Citizens for Cruelty-Free Entertainment, which is seeking to ban circuses in Seattle.