Protect Mountain Lions and Other Big Cats. Support the Big Cat Safety Act!
- by: Mountain Lion Foundation
- recipient: United States Congress
The suburban safari is an America that most people don't know exists, a landscape of neglect, abuse and exploitation of exotic animals that is entirely preventable with the passing of legislation that will protect big cats and the like. We must do our part now to pass the bill and protect them all." - Tim Harrison, author and Director of Outreach For Animals
At this moment, it is estimated that there are thousands of big cats, including mountain lions, being kept in captivity by private owners in the United States.
Used for petting and photo-taking encounters and imprisoned in basements or backyards as pets, these animals endure unspeakable abuse. They are also a serious risk to human safety — since 1990, there have been at least 400 dangerous incidents involving captive big cats.
Mountain lions and other big cats cannot be domesticated and suffer immensely when people attempt to keep them as pets. Too strong and dangerous for private owners to manage and are expensive to care for, they are frequently neglected, locked away in barren cages, and malnourished and unhealthy.
Cub petting and photo opportunities fuel a vicious cycle of breeding and dumping young cubs and is the number one cause of the growing population of captive big cats in the country.
The Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 263/S. 1210) is a commonsense and urgently needed solution to the dangerous and cruel problems associated with private ownership of big cats and direct contact activities like cub petting. Mountain Lions are the only native species included in the legislation.
The Mountain Lion Foundation is committed to protecting America's lion. Will you join us by calling on Congress to support this lifesaving legislation? Sign and tell your leaders in Congress to support the Big Cat Public Safety Act and protect mountain lions and other Big Cats.
At this moment, it is estimated that there are thousands of big cats, including mountain lions, being kept in captivity by private owners in the United States.
Used for petting and photo-taking encounters and imprisoned in basements or backyards as pets, these animals endure unspeakable abuse. They are also a serious risk to human safety — since 1990, there have been at least 400 dangerous incidents involving captive big cats.
Mountain lions and other big cats cannot be domesticated and suffer immensely when people attempt to keep them as pets. Too strong and dangerous for private owners to manage and are expensive to care for, they are frequently neglected, locked away in barren cages, and malnourished and unhealthy.
Cub petting and photo opportunities fuel a vicious cycle of breeding and dumping young cubs and is the number one cause of the growing population of captive big cats in the country.
The Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 263/S. 1210) is a commonsense and urgently needed solution to the dangerous and cruel problems associated with private ownership of big cats and direct contact activities like cub petting. Mountain Lions are the only native species included in the legislation.
The Mountain Lion Foundation is committed to protecting America's lion. Will you join us by calling on Congress to support this lifesaving legislation? Sign and tell your leaders in Congress to support the Big Cat Public Safety Act and protect mountain lions and other Big Cats.
Subject: Please Cosponsor Bill to End Big Cat Exploitation — H.R. 263
Dear [[Recipient's Title and Name]]:
H.R. 263, the Big Cat Public Safety Act (BCPSA), would end the sale and ownership of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrid of these species by unaccredited organizations and individuals.
For far too long lack of oversight has allowed these big cats to be treated as living trophies and placed in roadside zoos or in the hands of unqualified individuals. Some may have good intentions, but many are unscrupulous breeders and abusers, others lack even the minimum knowledge or ability to care for them. As a result, needless suffering of big cats and kittens occurs every day. What's more, the public and first responders are placed at risk due to their negligence.
BCPSA would prevent private ownership of big cats, including mountain lions, by closing loopholes and ensuring that those who don't meet the law's minimum standards will not be allowed to possess dangerous wild animals.
The current lack of regulation has allowed a trade in exotic animals to flourish. Horrendous conditions and public safety issues are rife within this shady industry. Only the BCPSA can achieve a permanent end to this crooked trade by ending the cycle of breeding, abuse and exploitation that has been occurring when these unregulated wild animals are kept and bred outside of sanctuaries, universities, and zoos.
I ask that you consider being a cosponsor of BCPSA. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.
Thank You
Sign PetitionSign PetitionDear [[Recipient's Title and Name]]:
H.R. 263, the Big Cat Public Safety Act (BCPSA), would end the sale and ownership of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrid of these species by unaccredited organizations and individuals.
For far too long lack of oversight has allowed these big cats to be treated as living trophies and placed in roadside zoos or in the hands of unqualified individuals. Some may have good intentions, but many are unscrupulous breeders and abusers, others lack even the minimum knowledge or ability to care for them. As a result, needless suffering of big cats and kittens occurs every day. What's more, the public and first responders are placed at risk due to their negligence.
BCPSA would prevent private ownership of big cats, including mountain lions, by closing loopholes and ensuring that those who don't meet the law's minimum standards will not be allowed to possess dangerous wild animals.
The current lack of regulation has allowed a trade in exotic animals to flourish. Horrendous conditions and public safety issues are rife within this shady industry. Only the BCPSA can achieve a permanent end to this crooked trade by ending the cycle of breeding, abuse and exploitation that has been occurring when these unregulated wild animals are kept and bred outside of sanctuaries, universities, and zoos.
I ask that you consider being a cosponsor of BCPSA. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.
Thank You
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