The bill will prohibit keeping lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and hybrid big cats as pets, and ban direct public contact such as cub petting.
The bill was introduced by Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). The Big Cat Public Safety Act and its companion bill (S. 1210) was led by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Richard Burr (R-NC).
In a major victory for wildlife, the Big Cat Public Safety Act, (H.R. 263/S. 1210), which prohibits the private possession of big cats and makes it illegal for exhibitors to allow direct contact with cubs, passed the U.S. Senate.
As previously reported by WAN, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the crucial bill by a vote of 278 to 134 in July. The bill now advances to President Biden’sdesk for his signature.
“Today the Senate took a major step toward protecting tigers, lions, and all big cats who have been vulnerable to inhumane treatment through a patchwork of private ownership laws across the country. The lack of federal regulations for big cats leaves first responders to situations involving animal escapes and the public at risk,” said Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Executive Director Stephen Wells. “We are encouraged to see support for the legislation from both chambers of Congress and hope the President moves quickly to sign this bipartisan bill into law.”
“The Big Cat Public Safety Act will end the horrific exploitation of big cats and bolster public safety,” said Senator Blumenthal. “These beautiful but powerful predators deserve to live in the wild, not be kept in captivity for people’s entertainment — even as cubs. I’m thrilled that, after a groundswell of public and bipartisan support, this bill I’ve long advocated for will become law.”
In the spring of 2020, the Animal Legal Defense Fund teamed up with Blackfish Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite to launch anonline petition urging Congress to pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act to help end this cruel wildlife trade.
While some states have restricted or banned the private possession of certain wild animals, other states have virtually no regulations, leaving big cats vulnerable to abuse. The Big Cat Public Safety Act closes this gap and also makes it illegal for exhibitors, such as circuses and zoos, to allow direct contact with cubs.
Some facilities actually encourage visitors to interact with cubs, such as bottle-feeding tiger cubs, for an extra fee, endangering cubs and visitors alike. Cub attractions lead to perpetual breeding, to maintain tiny cubs while others grow too large to be handled and controlled. Aged-out cubs are often sold to private individuals or killed when they are no longer a source of additional income.
Big cats belong in the wild or, in situations where captive animals can no longer safely be returned to the wild, in reputable sanctuaries. Depriving wild animals of the ability to engage in their natural behaviors, separating them from their newborn cubs, and forcing them into dangerous interactions with humans is both cruel and a recipe for disaster.
Dozens of Hollywood stars signed the online petition urging the passing of the Big Cat Public Safety Act, including: Kate Mara, Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, Edie Falco, Hilary Swank, Iggy Pop, Ireland Baldwin, Kim Basinger, Ruby Rose, Paul Wesley, Christian Serratos, Nikki Reed, Ian Somerhalder, Teresa Palmer, Glenn Close, Anjelica Huston, Justin Theroux, Christopher Walken, Mena Suvari, Steve Aoki, Alan Cumming, Ed Begley, Alison Pill, Jane Lynch, Olivia Wilde, Kate del Castillo, Charlotte Ross, Kristin Bauer, Sarah Silverman, Whitney Cummings, Jenny Slate, and Jackson Galaxy.
