I suspect they're right and you could probably include the circus, zoos, and possibly even dog shows.
for sure circuses, the good zoos I think do a decent job making it the best it can be for animals but it's still depressing as hell seeing the big gorillas staring blankly out at you in their too-small enclosures. Dog shows are garbage for the most part although the agility stuff is cool, seem like the doggies really enjoy that.