Virginians: Help Protect Captive Wild Mammals and Their Babies!

Wild and exotic animals born in captivity at roadside zoos are already facing a life of deprivation and torment. Ripping babies away from their mothers before they are naturally weaned—as some animal exhibitors in the Commonwealth routinely do for the sole sake of profit—can lead to a lifetime of psychological suffering, weakened immune function, and diminished survival skills.

To protect captive wild animals in Virginia, Delegate Amy J. Laufer (House District 55) has introduced HB 112, and Senator Jennifer B. Boysko (Senate District 38) has introduced SB 344, which would prevent breeders and dealers from separating from their mothers unweaned animals who are under four months of age. The bills would also prohibit breeding animals of different species to create so-called hybrid animals, something that no responsible outfit does. Hybridization creates animals with shortened life expectancies who are more prone to suffer from neurological disorders, physical deformities, and debilitating diseases.

Similar legislation (SB 1125, sponsored by Sen. Boysko) passed both chambers last year but was vetoed by Governor Youngkin. Within days of the veto, two giraffe calves born at the Natural Bridge Zoo (NBZ) vanished. They are still missing. The roadside zoo was found by a judge and a jury (in two separate proceedings) to have subjected dozens of animals to cruel treatment or deprived them of adequate care, and custody of the mother giraffes had been awarded to Rockbridge County before the two calves were born. In the last decade, the NBZ has sent at least 14 infant giraffes under 8 weeks old to other roadside zoos and animal dealers across the country, including some associated with canned-hunting ranches.

The NBZ is not the only facility in the Commonwealth known to have profited from this cruel practice, and this legislation is sorely needed.

Please help protect animals by urging your Senator and Delegate to vote YES on these important bills. If Sen. Boysko or Del. Laufer represent your district, please thank them for carrying these bills and for their efforts thus far.

Please feel free to use our sample letter, but remember that using your own words is always more effective.

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