S. 1498 and H.R. 2964—The Captive Primate Safety Act
Sponsor(s):  Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
ASPCA Position: Support
Action Needed:  Send a letter to your U.S. senators and representative urging them to support the Captive Primate Safety Act.

Update, 06/18/08: The Captive Primate Safety Act passed the House of Representatives yesterday, June 17. Thank you to everyone who took action on this humane legislation.

The Captive Primate Safety Act would bar interstate commerce of nonhuman primates for the pet trade, including monkeys, apes, marmosets and lemurs. This vital legislation would protect the public and captive primates from the dangers that result when these exotic animals are sold as pets.

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. Because of these health risks, it already is illegal to import nonhuman primates into the country for the pet trade. However, primates already in the United States may be moved in interstate commerce and sold as pets. The Captive Primate Safety Act will close this loophole in current law.

Second, primates typically do not make good pets because they often become aggressive as they get 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 unpredictably 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.

S. 1498 and H.R. 2964 send an important message to the public that primates should not be sold as pets. Please take action now by urging your U.S. senators and representative to support and cosponsor this important legislation.