Share Your Stories and Show Trip Advisor They Tripped Up!

Dear Friends,

Remember how you felt the first time that you visited Dolphin Research Center or another marine mammal park and saw a dolphin or other marine mammal up close?  Think about the connection that sparked during a swim or other interactive adventure.  How did the experience change and inspire you?

Trip Advisor, the world’s largest travel review site, recently announced that it will no longer sell tickets to animal attractions that feature programs where guests can interact with the animals.  The ban specifically includes swim with dolphin programs, even those that take place at DRC and our colleagues that are fully accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA).  This decision was heavily influenced by PETA and other organizations that oppose all marine mammal parks, aquariums and zoological institutions.

Millions of people consider Trip Advisor to be a leading, dependable source of travel planning information. The company’s decision sends a message that what we offer to guests is wrong and somehow harmful to the animals in our care.

Nothing could be further from the truth. We understand that Trip Advisor is trying to help animals owned by companies that do not meet quality standards in care, and whose interactive programs can be downright detrimental to both the animals and the public.  However, there is a world of difference between those less than stellar operations and the outstanding accredited members of the AMMPA. 

Alliance-accredited facilities are the gold standard, meeting and exceeding guidelines for animal care, public programs, and educational and conservation efforts.  We regularly undergo strict, careful inspections, not only by the federal government that licenses us, but also by our association in order to maintain our accreditation.

Trip Advisor needs to know that animal attractions, including interactive programs, operated by Alliance-accredited institutions like Dolphin Research Center are positive and beneficial.  Today, we ask for your help in getting this message to the company.  You are Trip Advisor’s customers and users.  We hope that you will join your voice with ours.  Won’t you please share your story and your photographs with the Trip Advisor President and CEO Mr. Stephen Kaufer via email at kaufer@tripadvisor.com? Ask him to reconsider the Trip Advisor decision and exempt facilities that are accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.

Points to consider include:

• Your personal experiences at Dolphin Research Center.
• Your observation of the way we care about the marine mammals in our facilities.
• What you learned during your visits.
• How experiencing marine mammals in an Alliance-accredited facility inspired you to care more about animals and conservation.

For your convenience I've included a sample letter below my signature. Perhaps it will be helpful to you in crafting your own, personal message.

On behalf of all of us at Dolphin Research Center, thank you for your caring and support.  

Swimmingly yours,

Rita Irwin

President & CEO

Sample E-mail:

Dear Mr. Kaufer,

(Begin with personal story of your experience interacting with marine mammals at a specific AMMPA accredited facility)

I have experienced first hand how inspiring and life changing connecting with marine mammals in an interactive program can be.

I was disappointed to learn that Trip Advisor will no longer sell tickets to animal attractions that feature these programs.

I am writing to ask you to reconsider your decision and exempt Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, FL, and other facilities that are accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.

Based on my experience at Dolphin Research Center, I can tell you that the marine mammals are well cared for by the animal experts there. Alliance accredited member facilities are the gold standard, exceeding guidelines set by the federal government for animal care and welfare through their own accreditation program.  These standards must be met in order for them to be members of the Alliance. Their education programs align with curriculum established by educational organizations around the world.

While I appreciate your commitment to help animals owned by companies that do not meet quality standards in care, there is a world of difference between those less than stellar operations and the outstanding experiences I’ve had at an accredited member of the Alliance.

I hope you will reconsider your decision and exempt Alliance members from your ban.

Thank you,

Your Name