An estimated 15,000 individual primates are currently suffering as pets in the United States. Denied the ability to meet their physical, social, and emotional needs, many “pet” monkeys develop stereotypic stress behaviors. Others, like Alex the vervet monkey in this story, become aggressive as they reach adolescence and attack their owners. A few very lucky ones are rehomed to sanctuaries, but even they struggle to overcome their past trauma. There is no happy ending for primates kept as pets. It is vital that laws are changed to prohibit this cruel trade. You can help by contacting your representative and asking them to support the Captive Primate Safety Act, which would ban the keeping of primates as pets, and end this suffering once and for all.
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Thousands of #monkeys and other nonhuman primates are suffering as pets in the U.S. Not only is this cruel, it is also dangerous. As this #comic by @ZooDraws @BornFreeUSA shows, we must take action to end the #ExoticPet trade in primates! bit.ly/zoodrawsvervet
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Thousands of monkeys and other nonhuman primates are suffering as pets in the U.S. Not only is this cruel, it is also dangerous. As this comic by ZooDraws and Born Free USA shows, we must take action to end the pet trade in primates! bit.ly/zoodrawsvervet