Help Us Save Primates

The Captive Primate Safety Act

They’re cute, but primates don’t make good pets.

It is estimated there are more than 15,000 nonhuman primates in the U.S. currently living in unsuitable conditions such as pets or within the entertainment industry. There is no federal law to regulate the possession of primates like lemurs, capuchin monkeys, slow lorises, or even chimpanzees as personal pets. The Captive Primate Safety Act would federally prohibit the pet primate trade and protect these cognitively advanced animals.

Primates as pets are a risk to individual animal wellbeing and human health and safety, and the demand for them also increases occurrences of illegal wildlife trafficking. By voicing your support for the Captive Primate Safety Act, you can help end the use of primates as pets and performers.

Spring 2025 Update: Bill Reintroduction

We are thrilled to share that this bill was reintroduced in the current Congress on Monday, May 5, 2025. A wave of support for newly introduced legislation is one of the critical first steps for passage.

How You Can Help

Contact your representatives (find yours here) and ask them to sponsor and support the CPSA.

Sample script: Primates are not pets! They are intelligent animals that thrive in social groups. The Captive Primate Safety Act would end the primate pet trade in the U.S. and halt wildlife trafficking fueled by this trade. As one of your constituents, I implore you to sponsor/support the passage of the Captive Primate Safety Act.

Share this news with your friends and family and encourage them to join the effort.

Sample post: Did you know there’s no federal law regulating the private ownership of primates in the U.S.? The Captive Primate Safety Act aims to change that. Join me in advocating for this crucial legislation to protect primates from the pet trade. Raise your voice today: Urge your lawmakers to support this vital legislation!

Perspective

HBO’s Chimp Crazy recently shined a light on the issues surrounding the ownership of primates as pets. Lincoln Park Zoo President & CEO Megan Ross, Ph.D. shared her point of view with the Chicago Tribune:

Megan Ross: ‘Chimp Crazy’ is evidence of why primate protection is so important

Be a Voice for Primates

Sign up to join a coalition of primate protectors. We’ll provide updates on the Captive Primate Safety Act, template materials for spreading the word, and tools to contact your representatives.

Partners

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