More About Pet Primates

In the wake of the passage of the Captive Primate Safety Act this week comes an article from the New York Times called "My Monkey, My Self" (you may need to complete a free registration to read the article). It is a very interesting and bittersweet look at the experiences of a few people who have kept primates as pets. It covers the gamut from a couple who have managed to integrate several capuchin monkeys into their home (albeit by building a sizable primate enclosure and adding on to their home) to a woman who had chimpanzees but eventually had to give them up to a sanctuary (and has serious regrets about many of the choices she made). The article covers a wide spectrum of experiences of people who take on primates as pets -- and does a thorough job of pointing out what changes happen as primates mature, and how expectations of life with primates often doesn't match up with reality. After reading this article, you may also come to the conclusion that primates shouldn't be kept as pets.

On a related note, now that the Captive Primate Safety Act is going to the senate, you may wish to contact your senator to let them know how you feel about this legislations. If you support this legislation, our Guide to Animal Rights, Doris Lin, has information on a how to let your senator know.