Captive Primate Safety Act (CPSA) Reintroduced in Congress

The Captive Primate Safety Act (CPSA) was introduced into Congress in May. According to the Animal Welfare Insitute (AWI), the bill would end the dangerous pet primate trade and industry in the United States.

Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the bill would amend the Lacey Act and ban private possession of non-human primates.

“Primates are wild animals whose natural behaviors are incompatible with life as a pet in someone’s home,” said Cathy Liss, president of AWI. “Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are witnessing firsthand the devastating consequences of how easily zoonotic disease can spread when humans have close contact with wildlife. Primates can carry communicable diseases that are dangerous and potentially fatal to humans — they do not belong in homes. The Captive Primate Safety Act would protect humans from these unnecessary risks and primates from mistreatment.”

AWI reports that there are at least 15,000 estimated primates kept as pets in the United States and half of the states permit private possession of primates.

“Keeping primates as pets is both hazardous and inhumane. There is no reason why these wild animals should be trapped inside homes away from their natural habitats,” said Blumenauer. “Beyond harm to animals, this reckless trend puts families and communities at risk of physical attacks and dangerous viruses. It is past time to end this harmful practice and ensure humane treatment of these animals. It’s what is best for people and primates.”

Source: PASA Primates/YouTube

Protecting the wild populations of any species does not entail keeping them held captive as pets. Instead, we must continue to dissuade the public from buying exotic animals in an effort to reduce the demand that is currently fueling the illegal wildlife trade. If you are looking for a pet, consider adopting one of the millions of domestic animals waiting for homes in shelters. It is our responsibility to keep wild animals wild.

Sign this petition to tell Instagram and its chief executive, Adam Mosseri, to ban photos depicting exotic animal trafficking and ownership!

Read more about wild animals kept as pets and why this is extremely inhumane:

• 5 Reasons Why Primates Should Never Be Kept As Pets
• Florida Man Charged After His Leopard Bit a Visitor’s Head
• Here’s Why Exotic Animals Belong in the Wild, Not as ‘Pets’ in Our Backyards
• There Are More Tigers in Backyards Than the Wild – This Action Could Change That
• Shocking Photos Show How Wild Animals Get Captured for the Exotic Pet Trade
• After Years in Backyards and Roadside Zoos, 13 Bears are Finally Getting a Second Chance at Life!
• Think Owning an Exotic Pet is a Good Idea? Here’s Why It’s Not
• 3 Tigers and a Leopard Rescued From Living in NY Backyard Finally Reach Their Sanctuary Home
• How the Trend for Exotic Pets in the U.S. is Harming Wild Animal Populations Across the Globe
• Lions Don’t Belong in Backyards! 5 Worst States for Exotic Animal Ownership
• Why These 5 Wild Animals Should Never be Kept as Pets

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