California: ACT NOW!

3/31/25

CWI is supporting Public Contact Safety Act (AB 892), which aims to prohibit public encounters with captive wild animals including nonhuman primates, bears, elephants, sloths, otters, kangaroos, wallabies, servals, & caracals.

The first hearing for the bill takes place on April 8. ACT NOW:

1.    Attend the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife hearing on April 8 at 9 a.m. Location: State Capitol Building, 1315 10thStreet, Room 444. 

2.    Call Committee members. If your Assembly member is on the committee, be sure to let them know you are a constituent. To find your Assembly member, click here. 

3.    Send a letter before April 8. Click here to submit your letter through the state position letter portal.

Sample message (please personalize your message; if your Assembly member is on the committee, state that you live in their district):

As a Californian who is concerned about the welfare of captive wild animals, I strongly support AB 892, the Public Contact Safety Act, that will prohibit public interactions with certain captive wild animals.

Public contact with captive wildlife is irresponsible and inhumane. This practice jeopardizes animal welfare, endangers public health and safety, and undermines important conservation work.

Public interactions harm wild animals, from the time they are ripped away from their mothers for use in these encounters, to when they are no longer wanted and dumped in backyard menageries, poorly run facilities, or sent to auction.

The animals endure stressful handling and are often denied the space, social bonds, and care critical to their well-being. They also pose a risk to the public through disease transmission and injuries.

Public contact operations often work under the guise of “awareness” and “education.” However, studies show that seeing human interactions with wild animals have the effect of decreasing public awareness of endangered and threatened species, reducing donations to conservation programs, and fueling a dangerous interest in wild animals as pets.

I urge you to vote in favor of AB 892.

Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife Members

Diane Papan (Chair) - District 21 (916) 319-2021 Click here to send a message. Jeff Gonzalez (Vice Chair) - 36 (916) 319-2036 Click here to send a message. David A. Alvarez - 80 (916) 319-2080 Click here to send a message. Anamarie Avila Farias - 15 (916) 319-2015 Click here to send a message. Jasmeet Kaur Bains - 35 (916) 319-2035 Click here to send a message. Steve Bennett - 38 (916) 319-2038 Click here to send a message. Tasha Boerner - 77 (916) 319-2077 Click here to send a message.

Jessica M. Caloza - 52 (916) 319-2052 Click here to send a message. Gregg Hart - 37 (916) 319-2037 Click here to send a message. Alexandra M. Macedo - 33 (916) 319-2033 Click here to send a message. Celeste Rodriguez - 43 (916) 319-2043 Click here to send a message. Chris Rogers - 02 (916) 319-2002 Click here to send a message. David J. Tangipa - 08 (916) 319-2008 Click here to send a message.