Ban Exotic animal ownership in Wisconsin to protect animal welfare and public safety of residents

Exotic animals have never been made for private ownership. For many years, people who were ending up owning lions, bears or other dangerous wild animals were under threat of getting injured, infected by zoonotic disease and their animals to escape in the outside environment.

Being an extremely specific issue, exotic animal possession didn’t get any proper regulation on federal level, bringing all the rights of making decisions to the states itself. While most of the US states enacted the laws that limited or fully banned their residents from owning wild animals, the state of Wisconsin remains one of 4 states which don’t have any regulations. The only wild animals which are banned to possess in Wisconsin are native species, which leaves big cats, alligators, poisonous snakes and primates open to own. We, the undersigned, urge Wisconsin lawmakers to pass legislation that bans the private ownership of exotic animals.

We are calling on the Wisconsin legislature to pass a new bill - The Wild Animal Prohibition Safety Act. This policy would implement new regulations which at the same time will align with the interests of concerned people to follow their rights. The WAPSA would include identification of the list of the most dangerous animals which would be fully banned from possessing, breeding, trading, transport etc. However, these regulations would not cover species like small, non-poison reptiles and birds like parrots potential ban of which brought major disagreement from citizens. The act would not put any restrictions on legal, accredited institutions like zoos, research facilities, and wildlife sanctuaries. For the individuals who previously owned exotic animals, the WAPSA will allow them to sign an agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. We believe that under this policy, people who would decide to own exotic animals after the law is enacted, don’t need to be eligible for a similar agreement to secure better policy effects.

The exotic animals in Wisconsin should stop being held in small cages and bringing danger to the community around them. They belong only to the wild or accredited facilities, not to the homes of people. Your signature can help make Wisconsin a safer place for both animals and people. Please, sign and help make this change today!