Action YOU Can Take to Save Big Cats and their Cubs

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U.S. Residents Only

The Most Important Action You Can Take for Big Cats and their Cubs

Stop Big Cat Abuse (US ONLY)

Call, Tweet, or Email your U.S. legislators and ask them to champion the Big Cat Public Safety Act:

For more information about the Big Cat Public Safety Act and a downloadable factsheet visit http://bigcatrescue.org/big-cat-act/

Goldie’s Law U.S. Only

There is some exciting new legislation currently in Congress which would greatly strengthen the Animal Welfare Act to eliminate loopholes and ensure that the USDA stops letting abusers off the hook. H.R. 6100, AKA “Goldie’s Law,” was recently introduced as a response to the USDA’s lack of enforcement towards abusive puppy mills. It’s primarily viewed as a “puppy mill law” so domestic animal welfare groups are rallying support, but we surprisingly haven’t seen much about it from captive wildlife/big cat advocates yet. If enacted, H.R. 6100 would be a massive win for captive big cats by completely reforming the USDA’s enforcement system to ensure that bad actors like Antle are held accountable.

Currently, the bill would amend the AWA to:

Formally define the term “violation” as “any deficiency, deviation, or other failure to comply with any provision or regulation or standard” of the AWA.

Mandate that the USDA inspect facilities at least once per year, or more often until violations are fixed. This includes the full inspection of “properties, animals, facilities, vehicles, equipments or other premises used or intended for use in an activity subject to regulation.”
Grant USDA inspectors legal access to inspect animals, facilities, and records “at any reasonable time” whether the person wants to be inspected or not.

Mandate that any animal found by an inspector to be “suffering physical or psychological harm” as a result of a violation be immediately confiscated or humanely euthanized. Anyone notified of the intent of an inspector to confiscate an animal “shall be prohibited from destroying that animal in any manner, and until the [USDA] has completed that confiscation, shall be prohibited from destroying any other animal in their ownership or possession, without prior written consent.“

Require inspectors to provide a copy of all records documenting any violation to State, local, and municipal animal control or law enforcement officials within 24 hours.

Subject violators to a civil penalty of no more than $10,000 for each such violation, along with a formal cease and desist order. Each violation and each day during which a violation continues shall be a separate offense.

Mandate that hearings to appeal violations “be conducted by, at minimum, one veterinarian, and two additional animal care specialists or directors. A hearing under this section shall take place within 21 days after notice of the violation has been delivered unless the Secretary identifies a reasonable basis for continuance.”

When assessing penalties, the [USDA] would be mandated to “give due consideration to the appropriateness of the penalty with respect to the size of the business of the person involved, the gravity of the violation, the person’s good faith, and the history of previous violations. Any such penalty shall be calculated on a per animal and per violation basis and may not be reduced by 10 percent or more.” This is to prevent slap-on-the-wrist fines and prevent bad actors from ignoring penalties.

“Upon any failure to pay the penalty assessed by a final order under this section, the Secretary shall request the Attorney General to institute a civil action… …to collect the penalty, and such court shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide any such action. Any person who knowingly fails to obey a cease and desist order made by the Secretary under this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of $1,500.”

The provisions of the law would apply to all “dealers, exhibitors, intermediate handlers, carriers, and auction sale handlers,” meaning anyone who handles or cares for an animal, no matter how temporary.

Everyone

Be a Saber Tooth Sleuth and report big cat and cub abuse where ever you see it here: https://bigcatrescue.org/saber-tooth-sleuth/

Circus alert pages

By State

IL: Protect bobcats from being killed for sport or commerce. https://bigcatrescue.salsalabs.org/2021ilbobcatbanhb1827/index.html

IN: Indiana residents can help urge Senator Braun to Co Sponsor the Big Cat Public Safety Act here: https://bigcatrescue.salsalabs.org/2021braun

WVA – Do you know a teacher or a student in West Virginia? This is how they can help end the abuse of big cats. https://bigcatrescue.salsalabs.org/2021wvateacher

Tags: catlaws

Comments 10

Mary Randall Glover says:

2 years ago

This all started when asked the internet why do people and dogs hunt bobcats, I had never heard of that and I am 76? What is the point of hunting? I don’t understand it.

Mary Randall Glover says:

2 years ago

To me it just shows th hat men and weapons are better hunters than dumb animals. So now, are you a bigshot? I don’t understand the entire process. I own a handgun to protect me from humans, not animals!

Rachel Stayer says:

2 years ago

Hello! ? ?

I just wanted to share with you my adoration for you! ? I love the work you do SO much that I was SO excited to dress up as you for Halloween with my dog Penelope!

We attended this FUN event hosted by Wag-O-Ween Savannah and got to walk around trick-or-treating for tasty treats! We were a total hit! I am so proud of my costume because I put it all together myself. I even handmade Penelope’s tiger outfit using a shirt from Goodwill! ?

Please, take a moment to look at how GREAT my costume of YOU is! Also, I am trying to win the Photobooth contest from the event! Please oh Please oh Please HELP ME GET MORE LIKES on this photo that they posted!

Here is the link… (I hope it works)

https://www.facebook.com/wagoweensavannah/photos/a.309657906927319/309748320251611/?type=3

Franklin Carpinelli says:

2 years ago

Honestly, I don’t understand hunting either. Especially when its not for survival, its just a dumb thing to do.

Jessica Campos says:

12 months ago

Thanks everyone who takes action to end abuse… it is unbelievable and very sad that animals -not just big cats get mistreated and used unnecessarily..

heather elliott says:

10 months ago

no.breeding.no,touching,no,petting.no,trade.end.abuse.petting.call.of.the.wild

Julie guibert says:

9 months ago

I hope we can still keep big cats safe.I love big cats.

Tom says:

4 months ago

Hello….
Just watched a documentation of the misuse of wild cats in US TV Shows rented for private parties and other sicknesses in german TV…..
I am horryfied how deep human evilness and greed is and how far sick egos go for self production….
The animals live in tiny cages, suffer their whole life for a 5min apearence in primitive TV Shows for primitive people.
Posing with Tiger babies is a criminal act, when growing up they are too dangerous so useless for posers and disapear some where….
The worst thing is that USA wont do something against.
What kind of society are you really?????
What is more disgusting than praising sick egos with the pain of innocent helpless animals….
DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!

- Deb Quimby says:
  
  4 months ago
  
  We are working to pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act in the US to stop cub petting and private possession. BigCatAct.com
  
Anna Franchesa Rocha says:

3 months ago

People need to SAVE this planet! #Savebigcats #SAVETHEANIMALS