End Private Ownership of Primates: An All Creatures Action Alert

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Mohandas Gandhi
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter" ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Originally Posted: August 1, 2013

End Private Ownership of Primates

FROM Born Free USA

ACTION

Tell your Congressional Representative to support H.R. 2856, the Captive Primate Safety Act. Reintroduced by Reps Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Blumenauer (D-OR), the bill would prohibit the interstate commerce of monkeys, apes, and other primates in the exotic "pet" trade.

Sign an online petition (copy/paste URL into your browser):
https://secure3.convio.net/bfusa/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=817&JServSessionIdr004=tis3xbj8k1.app333a

And/or better yet, make direct contact:

Find and contact your U.S. Representative
http://www.house.gov/

INFORMATION / TALKING POINTS

Please see CAPTIVE WILD/EXOTIC ANIMALS IN THE UNITED STATES - TRADE FLOW (PDF) from JungleFriends.org

As your constituent and a member of Born Free USA, I want to encourage you to support H.R. 2856, the Captive Primate Safety Act. Reintroduced by Reps Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Blumenauer (D-OR), the bill would prohibit the interstate commerce of monkeys, apes, and other primates in the exotic "pet" trade.

The interstate trade in primates threatens public safety and has grave implications for animal welfare. Since 1990, more than 200 people -- including dozens of children -- have been injured by primates. One well-known case happened in 2009, when a pet chimpanzee mauled a woman nearly to death in Connecticut. Primates also pose disease risks, including transmission of Ebola, tuberculosis and herpes B.

Primates kept in captivity endure abusive conditions that include small cages and tooth extraction to "tame" them. Primates are easily obtained via the Internet and through out-of-state dealers and auctions, making federal legislation necessary to support the efforts of state law enforcement. The Captive Primate Safety Act is narrowly crafted to target the commerce in and private possession of primates, and would not impact zoos, universities or wildlife sanctuaries.

The nation is waiting for Congress to protect citizens and wildlife from the dangers of private possession of primates. I urge you to co-sponsor H.R. 2856 today.

Thank you for everything you do for animals!

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