Big Cat Public Safety Act – 116th Session ends in January
October 7, 2020
For almost two years, Turpentine Creek, our supporters, and other true sanctuaries have been asking our congressmen to protect big cats and the public from these dangerous wild animals. Since January 3, 2019, people all over the country have been reaching out through email, phone, and in person telling their congressmen to put an end to hands-on interaction with big cats and private ownership.
Many of them have heard your pleas and in the House of Representatives over half of them have co-signed on H.R. 1380 – The Big Cat Public Safety Act. Currently, the bill has stalled after being put on the calendar, on June 8, 2020. No further progress had been made in the House; if it were to be presented it would quickly pass.
In the Senate the bill has been sitting and has yet to be assigned to a subcommittee, but it already has 30 co-signers for S. 2561 – The Big Cat Public Safety Act, and it only needs 51 to have a majority if it can get to vote.
Although the clock is ticking down, with the 116th Congress session ending January 3, 2021, we cannot give up hope yet. Your voices have been heard and so many Congressmen have shown support for the Big Cat Public Safety Act. We must continue to reach out to our representatives, especially our Senators, to tell them that we must protect not just big cats in captivity but also the humans that are put at risk when hands-on interaction and private ownership is allowed.
Our most recent rescue of eight cats from a breeding facility that offered pay-to-play interactions with big cats is a prime example of the abuse that these animals face when they are exploited for monetary gain. They came to us in poor health, infested with worms, and many other health issues. They are now on the road to recovery but it is only by ending hands-on interaction with big cats that we can protect future generations from this type of abuse and neglect.
Please add your voice to ours and tell your congressman to support H.R. 1380 and S. 2561. As 2020 comes to a close, let us take one giant step towards protecting captive big cats in the USA. Click here to send a message to your congressmen now and tell them that protecting big cats is important to you.