Support the Captive Primate Safety Act H.R. 1776
Primates do not belong in households. These wild animals are being bred to satisfy a demand for keeping a primate as a household pet. H.R. 1776 – The Captive Primate Safety Act – will help end this trade.
Did you know...
- It is illegal to import primates into the United States
- In the wild, primates live in large social groups
- Newborn primates are often forcibly removed from their mothers shortly after birth
- Removing a primate’s teeth is used as a method to try to tame them
- Since 1990, approximately 300 people have been injured by primates kept as so-called “exotic pets”
Help us end the cruel primate "pet" trade
The Captive Primate Safety Act will add non-human primates to a list of “prohibited wildlife species” which already includes, lions, tigers, and bears. The Act will restrict the transportation or transfer of these animals unless it is between an accredited facility that receives federal animal welfare inspects and prohibits direct human physical contact.
Although the federal Animal Welfare Act provides some protection for non-human primates, it does not protect those animals in private homes. State laws also fail to provide adequate protection, if any at all, for primates.
Act now
Two hundred and eighteen votes are required to pass the bill.
Here's what you can do today:
- Contact your Representative to ask that he or she join as a sponsor of the bill. Find yours by clicking here.
- Contact Representative Raúl Grijalva (Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources) and Representative Jared Huffman (Chair of the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife) and demand that they schedule a hearing.
Call the Committee Chair, Subcommittee Chair, and your Representative today!
Not sure what to say? No worries. Feel free to use the prepared scripts below for the respective officials.
Hello Representative Grijalva,
This is _____ from _____ (state). I am calling today in regards to H.R. 1776 -- The Primate Safety Act that was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources on March 14, 2019 and to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife on April 3, 2019. As chair of the committee, I would like to see you take action and schedule a hearing in the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife. With 19 co-sponsors on the bill from across the country, it is clear that there is support for this legislation. The people of United States deserve to see this bill discussed. Please schedule a hearing for H.R. 1776 at the next meeting of the committee. Thank you and have a nice day.
Hello Representative Huffman,
This is _____ from _____ (state). I am calling today in regards to H.R. 1776 -- The Primate Safety Act that was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources on March 14, 2019 and to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife on April 3, 2019. As chair of the subcommittee, I would like to see you take action and schedule a hearing in the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife. With 19 co-sponsors on the bill from across the country, it is clear that there is support for this legislation. The people of United States deserve to see this bill discussed. Please schedule a hearing for H.R. 1776 at the next meeting of the committee. Thank you and have a nice day.
Hello Representative _______,
This is _____ from _____ (state). I am calling today in regards to H.R. 1776 -- The Primate Safety Act -- that was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources on March 14, 2019 and to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife on April 3, 2019. Primates in the exotic pet industry are subjected to unnatural environments and cruel treatment. I would like to see you take action and join as a co-sponsor of the bill. The people of United States deserve to see this bill discussed. Please join as a sponsor of this bill. Thank you and have a nice day.
Endorsements
We are proud to stand alongside 20+ animal welfare organizations that endorse the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 1776) and the protection of these innocent creatures:
Animal Welfare Institute, Born Free USA, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Legislative Fund, Four Paws, Zoocheck, Endangered Species Coalition, Voters for Animal Rights, American Anti-Vivisection Society, Nonhuman Rights Project, MSPCA, LAGA (Last Great Ape organization), The EAGLE Network (Eco Activists for Governance & Law Enforcement), Friends of Washoe, Orangutan Appeal UK, Animals Asia Foundation, CATCA Environmental and Wildlife Society, Animal Conservation and Welfare Foundation, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, Animal Defenders International