Oklahoma exotic ban SB 1798

[Purrrfect9]

I need your help in opposing a bill that OK senate is trying to put into place.

I am asking for you help on behalf of the private owners of exotic felines and non-human primates in Oklahoma, and myself. Oklahoma senate has a proposed bill on schedule, SB 1798. This bill is written to ban all private ownership of exotic felines and ALL of their hybrids (savannah's, depending on interpretation may include bengals, safari's, and others) and all species of non-human primates, including all species of lemur. Although this bill was constructed with good intent, banning private ownership of such a diverse group, many of which are endangered species, would be detrimental to their genetic diversity. With AZA zoo's, such at the Oklahoma City Zoo, having limited funds and space to house endangered species, if banning private ownership passes, there will be very little genetic diversity available to the breeding stock, which will create a bottle-neck effect on the genetics of individual species. If private ownership is no longer allowed, it will only be a short amount of time before those species that are endangered now become extinct. The way that the bill is currently constructed, only USDA facilities, many which are also sanctuaries that have their 501 (c) 3 documentation as a not-for-profit facility, will be legally able to have possession of any of the listed species. The 501 (c) 3 sanctuaries will not be allowed to breed, have public contact, or exhibit the animals for either entertainment purposes or commercial activity. The problem with this is the issue of over crowding in sanctuaries. Many facilities are hard pressed for the funds to update enclosures, and rely on donations to feed the animals that they possess now. With the economy the way it is today, many of these sanctuaries are failing due to lack of donations. Many animals would suffer if this bill passes, forcing animals that were once kept in the hands of responsible owners to overcrowded environments. If the sanctuaries can not accept the animal, the bill proposes that the animal is to be euthanized.
I am asking you to please contact your senator by visiting this website to locate your senator http://www.capitolconnect.com/oklahoma/default.aspx and vote NO on SB 1798 concerning banning private ownership of exotic cats and non-human primates. Feb. 1 is when the hearing takes place. Please send as many e-mails as possible until that date. I have attached a copy of the bill taken directly from the Oklahoma Senate's webpage for you to review for yourself.
The first hearing of all proposed bills to date is feb 1st, so please get in as many e-mails as you can. If they start banning the "cute and cuddily" guys, they wont bat an eyelash on our other scaley kids.