One of the last-gasp circuses that still uses animals for "entertainment" is coming through North Richland Hills, and there's a welcoming committee waiting.

It's the Shrine Circus and it's stopping from November 8-10 at the NYTEX Sports Centre, a behind-the-times facility that has yet to get with the majority of venues and communities who've banned traveling acts that use animals.

According to a release, a group of animal advocates will protest outside the center during the circus' run.

Owned by brothers Frank Trazzera and Salvatore Trazzera, NYTEX is ordinarily home to the Lone Star Brahmas of the North American Hockey League, and the Texas Jr. Brahmas in the North American 3 Hockey League, which the brothers also own.

Shriners are a fraternal organization known for parades, red fez hats, and fund-raising ads on local TV stations that feature hospitalized children with cleft palates and more.

Although Shriners claim to be dedicated to compassion and service, Shrine circuses routinely work with notoriously cruel exhibitors such as the Carson & Barnes Circus, which still uses elephants, tigers, and other animals, and has a long history of animal abuse including more than 100 violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Video footage of a veteran trainer shows him instructing trainers to sink bullhooks into elephants’ flesh and twist them until the animals scream.

Shriners also present themselves as an organization whose circus events benefit children. But ticket sales aren’t charitable donations: The profits are used to maintain the club’s premises and fund its activities.

Not all Shrine circuses still use animals: The Western Montana Shrine Circus ended wild-animal acts, and Shrine circuses in Canada haven’t used wild animals in years.