Animals

Dear Senator

As a concerned constituent, I am writing to urge you to support and cosponsor S. 462, the Captive Primate Safety Act. This important legislation would bar the interstate movement of nonhuman primates for the pet trade, including chimpanzees, macaques, capuchins, monkeys and other primates. The Centers for Disease Control already restricts importation of primates as pets into the U.S., but there is no corresponding federal regulation prohibiting interstate movement of these animals.

Nonhuman primates pose a number of dangers to the public. First, they carry viruses and diseases that can be transmitted to humans, including Ebola virus, Herpes B virus, monkeypox, simian immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis and yellow fever. Animals who present such a risk should not be kept in private homes with direct access to members of the public.

Second, primates typically do not make good pets because they often become aggressive as they grow older and stronger. As infants, they may appear cooperative and easy to handle, but as they grow, they can easily overpower humans and may lash out without warning when frightened or frustrated. Biting and scratching are normal behaviors for these animals, and their large teeth can inflict serious injury.

In addition to the dangers nonhuman primates pose to the public, they often do not receive proper care when they are kept as pets. Captive primates require specific diets, companionship of other nonhuman primates, and large enclosures that allow for climbing and swinging. Unfortunately, most pet owners do not meet these needs, and as a result, captive primates often live in inadequate conditions.

Nonhuman primates are wild animals, and as such, they belong in the wild. The risk to the animals themselves and to the public is too great to justify keeping these creatures as pets. Therefore, I urge you to support and cosponsor S. 462 to protect primates and people throughout the country.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your name here]