With Sen. Kerry's leadership, another milestone is reached in the U.S. Big Cats campaign

Exciting news!

U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) has introduced S. 3547, the Senate companion to H.R. 4122, the House version of the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act, aimed at prohibiting breeding and private possession of captive big cats in the United States.

The senator, a longtime champion of wildlife protection and conservation, is committed to safeguarding big cats from exploitation and abuse, while also addressing the myriad challenges facing law enforcement as it deals with tigers kept in backyards or roadside zoos.

I, for one, am thrilled!

"It’s a little hard to believe that there’s a crazy patchwork of regulations governing people who try to keep wild cats as pets. I know it sounds like something you just read about when there’s a tragic news story, but it’s all too real for first responders who respond to a 911 call and are surprised to come face to face with a Bengal tiger,” said Sen. Kerry.

“This bill will ensure that these endangered creatures are kept in secure, professional facilities like wildlife sanctuaries rather than in small cages in someone’s backyard or apartment building.”

The bill has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Original co-sponsors are Sens. Blumenthal, Lieberman and Sanders.

This all couldn’t come at a better time—(Update) Our Congressional Briefing was on Thursday, September 20.

Sen. Kerry’s introduction marks a great milestone for IFAW’s big cats campaign and gives us yet another solid platform on which to build momentum. Let’s keep it going.

Please urge your U.S. Senator to co-sponsor the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act (S. 3547) today.

--TC