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URGENT!! URGENT!! URGENT!!

H.R. 1998, Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act.....

I have been rescuing Exotic Cats since 1972, all born in the U.S. to be sold as pets or financial gain. I began wondering why there were no laws preventing the insanity of allowing these Apex predators, top of the food chain, one of four of the most dangerous animals in the world, to be used for financial gain and sold as pets. In 2003 I co-authored a bill titled "The Captive Wildlife Safety Act" to stop the interstate traffic of the big cats. I brought that bill to my U.S. Rep. "Buck" McKeon, 25th District, who introduced it. It was passed unanimously in the House and Senate, and signed into law by Pres. Bush on Dec. 19, 2003, and finally enforced in 2005. It was a beginning step to a bill to stop the breeding of these animals which became a huge business in the U.S. and which, over decades, has been responsible for hundreds of killings and maimings of children and adults. These animals, being born in captivity by the thousands, many living in squalor in homes, or beaten to do ridiculous tricks for circuses and shows, are confiscated by authorities because of animal abuse. This is where facilities like The Shambala Preserve come in to place, providing a sanctuary for Exotic Cats to live out their lives in dignity.

My goal, to stop the breeding of these magnificent, highly dangerous wild beings is now in the stages of coming to fruition. Several years ago I brought another bill to Rep. "Buck" McKeon, who along with Rep. Loretta Sanchez introduced my bill, H.R. 1998 – “Big Cats Public Safety and Protection Act”, in the House on May 16, 2013. We now await the date for the bill to go to committee, then the vote in the House and Senate, then, God Willing, to the President to be signed into law.

Your help is going to be needed right now!!!....Please write, e-mail, or call your Legislators about H.R. 1998, to stop the breeding of these extremely dangerous Big Cats. I love these animals more than my next breath, but they are not pets, nor should they be subjected to the abuse of being in the circus, or variety shows.

Again, Please......Your voice is important, please use it!!!!...H.R. 1998- "BIG CATS AND PUBLIC SAFTY PROTECTION ACT"

You will be a very important part of changing history to save the lives of these Great Cats, forever......

Thank you, my Representative “Buck” McKeon for hearing me on this highly important issue!

With love for The Wild Ones, Everywhere!

Washington, May 16 -

Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA 25) and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA 46) introduced H.R. 1998, the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act. The Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act would prohibit private possession of big cats, such as lions, tigers, panthers and cheetahs, except at highly-qualified facilities, like accredited zoos, where they can be properly cared for and restrained. Additionally, since no agency, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), state agencies, or local first responders, currently knows exactly how many dangerous big cats are being kept in private hands, under what conditions, and in what locations, the bill would require any persons who currently possess big cats to register those animals with USDA in order to keep the cats they currently own. The bill would also outlaw the breeding of any big cat except at accredited zoos and research and educational institutions. Violators of the law could have their animals confiscated along with any vehicles or equipment used to aid in their illegal activity, and could face stiff penalties including fines as much as $20,000, and up to five years in jail. The need for federal legislation regulating the sale and captivity of big cats has become dire. An alarming number of wild cats have been bred and sold as domestic pets in the U.S. This trend threatens public safety and often results in the severe mistreatment of these animals. The tragic event in Zanesville, Ohio in October, 2011, where 49 wild animals were killed after they were let loose on an unlicensed wild animal preserve, showcase the dangerous implications of this rising trend. Currently, only nine states have laws enforcing “no wild animals permitted,” and the remaining states have weak or no laws in existence. This bi-partisan bill will deter the dangerous private breeding, selling and keeping of lions, tigers and other dangerous big cats, and will help keep the public safe. This bill will also help global big cat conservation efforts and will work to ensure that big cats do not end up living in horrible conditions where they can be subject to mistreatment and cruelty. “No matter how many times people try to do it, wildcats such as lions, tigers, panthers and cheetahs are impossible to domesticate for personal possession,” said Congressman McKeon. “These wild animals require much higher living standards compared to a domestic house cat and demand care that most black-market owners are not able to provide for. When accidents happen or when individuals learn they can’t take care of these animals, and these wild cats are released into our neighborhoods, it causes panic, puts a strain on our local public safety responders and is extremely dangerous. This bill is a step forward in protecting the public, ensuring that wildcats are not exploited and making sure those that are held in captivity are taken care of humanely in proper living conditions.” “State laws addressing the private ownership and breeding of big cats vary greatly, with some states banning the practice outright while others impose few and partial restrictions,” said Congresswoman Sanchez. “This patchwork of regulations is confusing and it jeopardizes the safety of the public and the welfare of our animals. The Big Cats bill is a federal solution that will clarify these regulations and will lessen the interstate traffic of various species.” This legislation is supported by the Roar Foundation, Shambala Preserve, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Born Free USA, Humane Society of United States, Big Cat Rescue, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and Ian Somerhalder Foundation.

mckeon.house.gov