Take Action

You can do several things to help stop private possession of exotic animals in your city, county, and/or state:

• Read our fact sheet, Dangers of Keeping Exotic "Pets".

• Learn which laws in your city, county, and state relate to the possession of exotic animals. To find out see our Summary of State Laws Relating to Private Possession of Exotic Animals. If your city and/or county is not listed, contact the city and county clerk and ask them if there is an ordinance that prohibits the private possession of exotic animals as "pets."

• For the animals' sake and for your health and safety, please do not buy exotic animals as "pets" and also encourage your friends and family not to have exotic animals as "pets."

If there is an incident in your city, county, or state:

• If you observe an exotic animal running loose, injuring someone, damaging property, being abused, living in deplorable conditions, or being kept in violation of city, county, and/or state law, report it to the appropriate animal control agency and the police/sheriff's department.

• If you hear of an exotic animal running loose, injuring someone, damaging property, being abused, or living in deplorable conditions, contact your city or county council member, describe the incident, and encourage the council member to introduce an ordinance to prohibit the private possession of exotic animals as "pets." Born Free USA united with API has available sample letters to public officials and sample ordinance language if needed.

• Contact your state senator and state representative and encourage him/her to introduce and support state legislation that bans or severely restricts the private possession of exotic animals (if your state does not already ban such possession). API has sample language if needed and will provide any additional assistance.

• Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, describing the incident and discouraging people from obtaining an exotic animal as a "pet."

At any time:

• If your state, city or county does not already prohibit private possession of exotic animals as "pets," contact your state senator and representative or your city and county council members and urge them to introduce legislation banning possession of exotic animals.

• Support legislation at all levels to prohibit private possession of exotic animals.

For more information contact Born Free USA united with API's Legal and Government Affairs department at legislation@bornfreeusa.org.