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The ban is officially repealed. Thank you to the 221 people who helped make this happen. Now we monitor to ensure the new regulations are implemented correctly.

September 25, 2016

Remove PA ban on Capuchin, Marmoset, and Squirrel Monkey's

Remove PA ban on Capuchin, Marmoset, and Squirrel Monkey's

🏆 Won — 215 supporters Verified

Final supporters

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Rosemary B.
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Carrie B.
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Brandy J.
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Sierra B.
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David M.
D
Devon a.
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Tim B.
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Wilbert S.
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Nicole
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Gwen b.
+205 more
Started by Anonymous 13 years, 4 months ago
The following petition is to request that the State of Pennsylvania removes the following ban for possessing capuchin, squirrel, and marmoset monkey's as a pet. The Pennsylvania law currently states the following: § 137.1. Importation, possession, sale and release of certain wildlife. (a) Unless otherwise provided in this section or the act, it is unlawful for a person to import, possess, sell, offer for sale or release within this Commonwealth the following wild animals or wild birds or the eggs of the birds or a crossbreed or hybrid of the wild animals or wild birds, which are similar in appearance: (7) The order Primates. All families of nonhuman primates. Capuchin's reach a height of 12-22 inches, and normally reach between 3-9lbs at adulthood. Squirrel Monkey's reach a height of 25-35cm and normally reach up to 2lbs. at adulthood. Marmosets are the world's smallest monkey the can reach up to 1 foot tall and at adulthood normally reach up to 1lb. At full maturity each one is the same or smaller than a human newborn baby. These animals are no more, if not are less harmful to have as a pet than a dog, cat, snake, spider, etc. And are in fact the most similar to an actual human. Primates are very smart and have the ability to learn many things, and have the ability to become a wonderful pet (family member). Primates can also serve for therapeutic purposes if trained the properly. We believe with the ban removed, certain laws of ownership could be in place to assure that people who would acquire one as a pet would have to meet certain regulations. Banned means no chance what-so-ever, please give us responsible and serious pet owners a chance to prove these 3 particular primates can make wonderful pets and would raise no more hassle than merely owning a dog/cat or other lawful house pet. Please remove/revise the ban of owning these particular primates in the State of Pennsylvania.

Updates

August 4, 2016

The momentum behind this is incredible. Seeing this many people agree that these primates deserve a chance in Pennsylvania changes everything.

Reached 100 supporters

August 4, 2016

77 Comments

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Mike Parker
8 years ago Featured

I am paralyzed in a wheelchair and would like a capuchin monkey helper. They are trained through Helping Hands Monkey Helpers, and so far no luck with the PA ban. PLEASE help us responsible people.

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Valerie Ann Venezia-Ricciardi
5 years ago Featured

Should only be legal for rescue animals ONLY. Capuchin, Marmoset, and Squirrel Monkey's should be allowed as pets ONLY if they are rescued. Illegal selling and mating should still be illegal and should ALWAYS be banned.

A
Anida Westbrook
8 years ago Featured

I too am disabled and a capuchin or marmoset would be not only of great help but also a wonderful friend. It would serve a dual purpose for me. 1. Help with physical tasks. 2. Provide companionship as I am very isolated and have very little contact with people other than my husband during the evening. Depression is a result.

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Shayna snyder
10 years ago Featured

Please remove ban on ownership of monkeys. The state of Pennsylvania, like others, should have a mandatory permit to own such animals. As a pet owner, the ban on monkey ownership is limiting and discriminating. I consider myself a responsible pet owner and it is upsetting that even though I'm able to care for a monkey to the fullest I am not given the chance to do so. Thank you

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Angela Runco
10 years ago Featured

please lift the ban place restrictions instead for responsible owners require us to get licensed and go thru wildlife training anything but flat out banning us to own such an intelligent animal

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jeannette Bart
11 years ago Featured

I have a friend with a 115 pound dog and an 85 pound dog. It would be very difficult to fight that off if it turned on a human. Certainly a 1 pound to 9 pound monkey can be stopped much more easily. I have a friend with a bal python. Very mean. And another with a tarantula and scorpion. Very dangerous. Please remove this ban.

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Brandy J Etchison
5 months ago

I agree the ban should be lifted they can be used as a emotional support animal as well as a dog or cat

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Sierra Beam
6 months ago

M