Friend, A month ago we reached out about a rare opportunity to hold big cat abusers accountable. There are still a few days left to take action! We've seen it time and time again. Big cat owners licensed by the USDA, operating a roadside zoo or traveling exhibit, cited over and over again by inspectors for violating the most basic requirements of the Animal Welfare Act - such as providing clean water or veterinary care for injured animals - will still have their license renewed year after year. It happens more often than you'd think because the USDA does not currently require anybody seeking to renew their license to demonstrate compliance with the law. For decades the government has rubber-stamped renewals with no thought to the animals they are supposed to be protecting. This is how some of the country's worst big cat abusers continue to operate.  But we have an opportunity to change things for the better! The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is considering amending their licensing rules to, among other things, eliminate automatic renewals. They're also considering requiring license holders to re-apply for a license if they later acquire unauthorized animals. One of our frequent criticisms of the licensing process is that too many people with a license for small domesticated animals will then use that same license to obtain and exhibit large dangerous animals, such as big cats, without having to prove that they can properly house and care for them. Even better, APHIS is looking to crack down on pet owners who use their USDA license to take advantage of loopholes in state bans and convicted criminals who secretly operate under a family member's license. TAKE ACTION! USDA APHIS is accepting public comment on Amendments to Licensing Provisions and to Requirements for Dogs through May 21st. (These changes DO include big cats, don't be confused by seeing dogs in the title, this is the correct link). Please click here to submit your comment. You can use these suggested talking points for your comment: - I am writing in support of amending the licensing requirements under the Animal Welfare Act to require that licensees demonstrate full compliance with the Act and regulations before APHIS renews their license.
- I also support requiring licensees to obtain a new license and demonstrate compliance if they subsequently acquire more animals or different animals than they were previously authorized to have under their license. Specifically, licensees should be required to re-apply for a license and demonstrate full compliance if they are seeking a license for nonhuman primates, big cats or large felid species (cougar and larger including hybrids thereof), wolves, bears, or mega-herbivores such as elephants and giraffes.
- Every effort should be made by the Service to crack down on pet owners who only obtain a USDA license to exploit exemptions in state laws restricting ownership of wild and exotic animals. I support proposed revisions to ensure that licensees are operating as bona fide exhibitors.
- Lastly, I approve of the proposed expanded restrictions intended to stop those with suspended or revoked licenses from working for regulated entities, and those with a history of noncompliance from operating under a license issued to someone other than themselves.
Let's not waste this opportunity. Please submit a comment today. Thank you for speaking out to hold big cat abusers accountable! | |
