Resources
Over the years, Born Free USA has campaigned consistently to end the private possession of exotic animals as "pets." By reading the below information you can see for yourself just why keeping exotic animals as "pets" is cruel and dangerous. Please join our campaign, and help us to end the suffering of these animals.
We offer all the tools you need to educate the public about these issues and successfully pass an ordinance and/or state bill. We think it is vital that when people embark on a campaign to help captive wild animals, and for that matter any issue, that they be armed with accurate, up-to-date, reliable, and credible resources.
For more information contact Born Free USA's Legal and Government Affairs department at legislation@bornfreeusa.org.
Fact Sheets, Papers & Articles
Born Free USA has compiled the following fact sheets, papers and articles to assist you in your campaign to help exotic animals.
- Dangers of Keeping Exotic "Pets" Fact Sheet
- Three Reasons for Banning the Private Possession of Exotic Animals Fact Sheet
- State Agencies Regulating Private Possession of Exotic Animals Fact Sheet
- Organizing a Campaign to Help Captive Wildlife
- The Status of Captive Wild Animals in the U.S.: An Overview of the Problem and the Laws
- Articles from Animal Issues on Exotic "Pets":
Exotic Animal Incidents
These incidents demonstrate that wild and exotic animals pose public safety and health risks when kept in private hands.
- Captive Exotic Animal Incidents
- Circus Animal Incidents (U.S. and Canada)
- Incidents at AZA-Accredited Facilities
Laws
Gathering as much information and being knowledgeable about the laws relating to the private possession of wild and exotic animals on the state and local level will help in educating the public about the issue and in focusing a legislative campaign on the issue. The following are summaries and (where applicable) actual laws on the issue.
- Organizing a Campaign to Help Captive Wildlife
- Laws Relating to Exotic Animal Auctions
- Summary of State Laws Relating to Breeding Wild and/or Exotic Animals
- Summary of State Laws Relating to Exhibiting Exotic Animals
- Summary of State Laws Relating to Private Possession of Exotic Animals
Sample Letters
These are useful sample letters that can be used to public officials to encourage a ban on wild and exotic animals or a letter to the editor to educate the public as to why these animals should not be kept as "pets."
