An Edmonton animals rights group says it's wrong for Rexall Place to allow the Shrine Circus to perform there.

Members of Voices For Animals protested, holding signs and handing out pamphlets, outside Rexall Place during the circus performance over the weekend.

The group charged that the animals in the show are abused and exploited.

Diane Charkiw, the director of Voices For Animals in Edmonton, organized the protest.

"We are wanting to create awareness [of] the conditions the animals in this circus endure," she said.

"They endure tremendous cruelty and deprivation. Problem is, most people aren't aware of the extent the animals suffer or how they're treated, or the conditions they're kept in."

Some circuses are getting the message, Charkiw said, and eliminating animal acts altogether.

"There's enough human talent that we don't need to be abusing animals for entertainment. People need to understand that those elephants — they spend their entire lives suffering for a few moments of entertainment."

Charkiw said her group will continue protesting outside Shrine Circus performances.