PAWS Co-Sponsors California Bill to End Public Contact with Captive Wildlife
By PAWS
PAWS is proud to announce our co-sponsorship of AB 892, the Public Contact Safety Act, introduced by California Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank). We are working together with fellow co-sponsors Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States) and Animal Legal Defense Fund to pass this important bill.
AB 892 aims to prohibit public encounters with captive wild animals such as handfeeding, petting, holding, or playing with nonhuman primates, bears, elephants, sloths, otters, kangaroos, wallabies, servals, and caracals held in captivity.
Sadly, the practice of public contact with captive wild animals is on the rise, jeopardizing animal welfare, endangering public health and safety, and undermining true conservation work.
These encounters often are found in stationary facilities and traveling exhibits, frequently marketed as “conservation education.” But in reality, they exploit the animals for profit.
Wild animals used in public encounters are taken from their mothers as infants to facilitate human interactions. They endure constant handling and are denied the space, social interactions, and care they need.
The constant breeding required to maintain a supply of animals for these encounters results in surplus animals, many of whom are discarded once they grow too large and dangerous or can no longer be forced into participating in public interactions. All too often, they end up in backyard enclosures, poorly run facilities, or sent to auction or slaughter.
Captive wild animals can spread diseases that pose serious health risks to the public, and public handling has resulted in wild animals injuring people, including children, during encounters.
If passed, AB 892 would make California the 15th state to prohibit public encounters with specific animals.
We commend Assemblymember Schultz (pictured) for his leadership in introducing this important bill, which is critical to protecting captive wild animals from exploitation and cruelty.
Stay tuned for more information on AB 892 and how Californians can take action to help protect these animals!
If you don’t live in California you can still help the animals:
- Never interact with or take a photo with a captive wild animal.
- Avoid fairs or other events that offer wild animal interactions and shows.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local paper opposing animal encounters.
- Spread awareness by sharing what you’ve learned via social media.
- Support legislation in your area to end the use of wild animals in entertainment.