The Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, Florida markets itself as a “sanctuary”—a bogus implication that doesn’t hold water. Real sanctuaries exist to protect animals, not to use them for human “entertainment.” That’s why PETA is asking the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the Dolphin Research Center for marketing that misleads kind people who believe they’re helping dolphins. This facility treats living, thinking individuals as commodities—and then disguises that exploitation with feel‑good language.

If It Offers Dolphin Encounters, It’s Not a Refuge

On its website and in its marketing, the Dolphin Research Center says it has been providing a “sanctuary and forever home since 1984.” But as PETA’s filing makes clear, most of the marine mammals there were bred in captivity, not rescued.

A dolphin used for a hands-on encounter. For illustrative purposes only. © Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media

The center also exploits animals in hands-on experiences—including “swim with dolphins” encounters. No legitimate sanctuary would allow people to grab, ride, or chase animals. These interactions are unnatural, stressful, and exist solely for human entertainment, not dolphins’ well-being.

PETA’s complaint also notes that there are no marine mammal sanctuaries in North America. True animal sanctuaries are accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and commit to never breeding animals, buying or selling them, or using them for public contact. So the Dolphin Research Center has a long way to go before it could ever be called a real sanctuary.

What You Can Do to ACTUALLY Help Dolphins

• Never visit marine parks or attractions that use animals to make a buck
• Skip “swim with dolphins” programs
• Protect dolphins by not eating fish, because the fishing industry kills billions of animals and devastates entire marine ecosystems
• Speak up for dolphins trapped in tanks by urging companies like SeaWorld to stop breeding them and move them to seaside sanctuaries