Big Cat Laws
Sanctuaries like Big Cat Rescue can only take in a fraction of the animals that need homes because they have been abused, have been abandoned because they do not make good pets, or have been discarded by the entertainment industry or those allegedly using the animals for education. View this slideshow of the big cats we have rescued and how you can help us save more with a few mouse clicks HERE.
The real solution is to pass that laws that prevent the abuse and abandonment. In many cases these laws are opposed by industries or groups that have greater financial resources than those who favor stronger animal welfare laws. But there is a way to overcome this financial disadvantage. That is by showing broad voter support for the bills as they are considered.
Legislation cannot change the heart, but it can restrain the heartless.
The pages behind the banner below make it easy for you to see what bills are currently being considered at both the Federal and State level. Then, by entering your zip code, the software allows you to easily send an email either to the legislators from your district or to those on the Committee considering the bill.
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Please note that when you click the Legislation tab the Federal bills appear. There is a toggle link at the top right that will take you to the State bills.
The power here is in numbers. By having many people email their legislators we can tremendously improve the chances of legislation coming out of Committee and passing. The site is updated automatically as the status of bills changes, so you can be most effective by checking back from time to time. And most important, please tell others about this easy way to be heard and help pass these bills!
Visit these pages for more information:
See an interactive online map of exotic cat owners.
Why we need better laws:
Maulings, killings and escapes
Slideshow of what captivity means to the animal
The American Bar Association has an Animal Law Committee. Visit it HERE.
If you have any questions about the legislative pages please feel free to email us at MakeADifference@BigCatRescue.org
If protecting animals through intelligent legislation is important to you then please help us keep this program available through your generous donation:
| Email this 1 MB video to a friend, right click here and "Save Target As" to your hard drive. |
Bill Tracking on Exotic Cat Bills at the Federal Level
Humane USA of Florida Makes History in Tampa
One man said, "I have a dream." and changed the way humans perceived each other forever. Four long haired boys from England changed music. Twelve apostles changed the course of religion. What can 60 people, who came together for the first time on September 8th, do to change the way animals are treated in this country? Everything!
Humane USA of Florida made history recently when a group of concerned leaders in Florida gathered to form a steering committee. The national organization, Humane USA was formed in 1999 by leaders from all of the major animal protection organizations when Wayne Pacelle and Linda Nealon shared a vision they had of a Political Action Committee devoted entirely to an animal focused agenda. Since its formation the Humane USA PAC has been responsible for changing many laws to better protect animals and has helped animal friendly candidates gain offices while keeping out those who would be detrimental to animal welfare.
Six years ago, Nanci Alexander and Heather Veleanu had a vision of bringing Humane USA to Florida and creating a chapter that would focus primarily on issues that affect the animals in Florida . This year that dream became reality when the 10 member steering committee met and set out an agenda for building a strong coalition of mainstream, humane minded citizens who would become the political voice for animals in Florida. Within months, those 10 had enlisted the help of 60 more and it was time to bring them all together.
Heather Veleanu came to Big Cat Rescue from West Palm Beach as the guest speaker to share the vision of Humane USA of Florida with the public. She explained the beginnings of Humane USA as the nation's first major political action committee devoted to the task of electing humane-minded candidates to public office at the federal and state levels.
She relayed that strong animal protection laws are produced by humane-minded elected officials, and the best way to secure a large crop of humane-minded legislators is to support them during their election campaigns.
She pointed out that it is important to note that because of their charitable status with the Internal Revenue Service, other animal protection groups are legally barred from endorsing candidates. Humane USA is the only national animal protection group that is allowed to participate in candidate election campaigns.
Heather shared with the group the fact that during 1999 and 2000 - after Humane USA launched its operations - the Congress passed 11 new laws to protect animals, including laws to protect great apes, to establish chimpanzee sanctuaries, to ban the sale of dog and cat fur, to validate non-animal tests, and to halt barbaric practices such as "animal crush" videos and shark finning. She remarked that it was no accident that Congress passed so many laws after Humane USA began its work.
Everyone was so pumped up after the meeting that they bought lots of Humane USA hats, bumper stickers and screen savers and made donations. Jamie Veronica put out a challenge to the group by offering to match all of their donations for the evening and Howard Baskin, not to be outdone, further inspired everyone to give generously by matching them as well. Now, thanks to all of the concerned citizens who joined at the end of the presentation, Humane USA has the beginnings of a strong Florida chapter, and will be involved in hundreds of races at the state and federal levels.
Attendees included volunteers from Big Cat Rescue, Florida Voices for Animals, No More Homeless Pets, Kitty City , several animal rescue groups and lots of people who simply understand that you can't get better laws to protect the animals if the people in office don't care. Each one of these visionaries will be spreading the word about the good work Humane USA of Florida is doing to elect humane minded candidates to office. To watch for future events and fundraisers, visit them online at www.HumaneUSA.org/HumaneUSAFL.htm