Subject: Please Co-Sponsor H.R. 3359, the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act
Email: I am writing to ask you to co-sponsor H.R. 3359—the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA)—which was introduced by Rep. Jim Moran of Virginia on November 3, 2011. This important bill would prohibit the transport of any animal for more than 12 hours at a time and require that animals used in performances not be confined to a transport enclosure for more than 12 hours during the 15 days preceding a performance. This would help ensure the physical and psychological health and well-being of exotic animals currently languishing in substandard conditions in traveling circuses. For example, elephants used by Ringling Bros., according to the company's own documents, are chained for 26 consecutive hours on average—and sometimes even up to 100 hours.
As you may be aware, the TEAPA bill is narrowly tailored to address only the worst cases of physical constraint and psychological torment that exotic animals who are forced to travel and perform face. As TEAPA states, "[I]t is not possible to provide exotic and non-domesticated animals with facilities sufficient to maintain the optimum physical and mental health of the animals because of the suffering caused to the animals by the nature of circuses, in which restriction of movement, separation from natural groupings, restriction of food and water, and physical abuse are prevalent." Furthermore, experts have clearly shown that long periods of travel in insufficient quarters, harsh training methods, and temporary facilities lead to health and safety problems for both the public and the animals.
H.R. 3359 would provide animals with less stifling confinement, a chance for free exercise, and fewer restrictions on their natural behavior. It would have no impact on zoos, rodeos, or permanent facilities, and removing exotic animals and the inherent abuse they face should have no significantly negative impact on traveling circuses. Many circuses—including Cirque du Soleil, a major competitor of circuses with animal acts—are extremely successful without using exotic animals.
I support H.R. 3359 and strongly urge you to sign on as a co-sponsor of this important bill.
Thank you for your attention to this serious issue.
Sincerely,