Unless you have your head buried in the sand, you know that right now it’s legal to own a lion, tiger, or other big cat as a pet with little or no regulation or oversight. Hell, there are more laws regarding dog and cat ownership than there are big cats!
But hopefully that’s about to change.
This is Tony the Tiger. He lives in a concrete cage in the parking lot of a truckstop in Louisiana. State lawmakers have repeated refused to act on the tiger’s behalf, making it legal to subject this majestic animal to such cruel neglect. (PHOTO: OneGreenPlanet.org)
There’s a bill before the House of Representatives called Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 3546). If passed into law, the Big Cat Public Safety Act would make it illegal to own big cats, unless you are a zoo and and meet accreditation guidelines. Those who currently own big cats can be grandfathered in provided they register the cat. Breeding will no longer be allowed.
So why have you not heard about this bill? Because since it’s introduction into the House, it’s gone nowhere.
You can change that.
The captive female lives her life in a cage in Oklahoma, where she is repeatedly bred only to have her babies taken from her at birth. In this photo she is grieving the loss of her babies, taken at 2 days. (PHOTO: TigersInAmerica.org)
Call or write your representative and ask him or her to support HR 3546.
Not sure exactly how to do this?
Start by going to the Big Cat Rescue web site and reading about this bill. CLICK HERE.
After reading the important information about this bill, type in your zip code in the box at the bottom of the page. Once you submit, a form letter addressed to your representative will pop up. You will need to add your name, address, etc. You’re also encouraged to add a personal message to the canned one, but it’s not required.
Don’t let that light blue fool you. Despite Florida’s claims to ban private ownership, there are an estimated 2500 tigers in private hands in the state. Florida has the second highest number of privately owned tigers in the US. MAP SOURCE: TigersInAmerica.org
Prefer to call your representative’s office? The numbers will be listed and you can use the form letter as talking points.
My representative is Gwen Graham, and I wrote her office a personal letter stating why I feel this law should be passed. I pointed out the ESTIMATED number of big cats here in Florida, and how that could be a problem. I also asked to be contacted by Rep. Graham’s office.
What did YOU say in YOUR email?
Filed under: activism, pets Tagged: animal welfare, animals, big cats, exotic animals, exotic animals as pets, exotic pets, lions, pets, politics, tigers
