FAQs
Q: I’ve always wanted a monkey of my own. Can I adopt a rescued monkey and take care of it in my home?
Q: I’ve read that many of your primates are ex-pets. Isn’t it illegal to keep monkeys and apes as pets?
I know that chimpanzees are highly endangered due to habitat destruction and the bushmeat trade. Are the chimpanzees at the Primate Rescue Center encouraged to breed and produce offspring?
Great question! Although chimpanzees and many other primate species are endangered in their native lands, we have a terrible overpopulation problem here in the U.S. Of an estimated 2000 captive chimpanzees in this country: 1500 in the research sector; 200 in bonafide zoological parks; and 300 distributed amongst sanctuaries, the entertainment industry, roadside animal attractions, and private owners. Ten to 15% are considered to be “surplus.” The problem began in the 1980s when chimpanzees were thought to be the ideal research model for human AIDS/HIV testing and possible vaccine development. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiated a chimpanzee breeding program, and millions of taxpayer dollars were “invested”—the goal being to produce as many infants as possible. In terms of increasing the numbers of chimpanzees available for biomedical research, the program was a success. As more became known about HIV, however, chimpanzees were found to be anything but appropriate research subjects for the human disease. As a result, there are literally hundreds of unwanted chimpanzees in the U.S. at present. The zoological community has enjoyed similar success with their breeding programs and participating institutions are filled to capacity. With lifespans which may exceed 50 years, chimps are notoriously challenging and expensive to properly care for. The few bonafide sanctuaries able to house chimps have as many as they can handle and are overwhelmed by calls to take in additional animals (the PRC included!). On the other hand, roadside attractions, pseudo-sanctuaries, entertainment “trainers,” and the pet trade continue to clamor for more individuals to replace those consumed in their barbaric and self-serving trades. Thankfully, only a handful of the most unscrupulous research institutions continue to peddle their surplus animals to these exploiters of wildlife. At the PRC, we strongly believe that our primary responsibility must always be providing the very highest quality care to the animals we currently house. We do not have an unlimited capacity to take in new animals, and know that each new addition means that there may be no space available for the next needy individual. Producing offspring would make us part of the problem rather than a part of the solution—a role we cannot embrace. We house our animals in social groups whenever possible, but use contraceptive methods which allow for normal social interactions. Yes, we have had “accidents” occur—but that’s another story!
I’ve always wanted a monkey of my own. Can I adopt a rescued monkey and take care of it in my home?
Unfortunately, the very reason that the Primate Rescue Center exists is because monkeys make REALLY poor pets (despite media portrayals to the contrary!). Primates are very long-lived (30+ years for a macaque, 50+ for a chimpanzee), and are dependent on humans only for a very brief window as infants—until three to five years of age at most. All primates are very social creatures, and forcibly removing them from their mothers and isolating them from other monkeys at birth (as is the norm in the pet trade) is a barbaric practice which often results in aberrant behaviors as the animals mature. This is not a practice that any animal lover I’ve come across would willingly want to be a party to! Clever dealers skirt the issue by insisting that the infant you’re being offered has been “rejected” at birth—a highly unlikely occurrence in the primate world! Our goal at the PRC is to provide lifelong care to these former pets, rehabilitate them to the extent they’re able and introduce them to others of their own kind. We have 50+ primates in residence at present, and 90% of them have been pets. The bottom line is: if primates made good pets, there would be no need for the PRC (or any of the other dozen or so primate sanctuaries in the U.S.). Any “sanctuary” who offers to let you “adopt” a monkey (and they ARE out there) is, in fact, an animal DEALER—a far cry from a bonafide sanctuary. Please, if you have room in your life and the resources to make a long-term commitment to an animal, please consider a domestic dog or cat from your local animal shelter.
I’ve read that many of your primates are ex-pets. Isn’t it illegal to keep monkeys and apes as pets?
Unfortunately, many states, counties and cities in the U.S. do not prohibit or regulate the private ownership of primates. Two Federal agencies—the USDA and the Fish & Wildlife Service—oversee the commercial trade in primates. The USDA is charged with enforcing the minimal standards imposed by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), and thus regulates the sale, exhibition, commercial transportation and research use of primates. The effect on private ownership is that the sellers and exhibitors of pet primates must hold USDA licenses, but individual pet owners do not. The USFWS regulates the importation of all primate species, and the interstate commerce in endangered species. While the importation of primates specifically for use as pets is prohibited, tens of thousands of primates are imported to the U.S. each year for “allowable uses.” Our experience has shown that a certain percentage of these animals fall off the radar each year and find their way into the breeder/dealer network. In addition, a multitude of loopholes insures that even highly endangered primates are freely bought and sold in the domestic pet trade. We hope, pray and work diligently to effect change in the system. We’re pleased to report that Kentucky amended their state regulations in 2005, effectively prohibiting the possession of all primates (and most other exotic wildlife) as pets. Now if only more states would follow Kentucky’s lead!
I hear that the government will be establishing and funding a national sanctuary system for chimpanzees retired from research. Will the Primate Rescue Center be participating in this effort or be eligible for these funds?
After animal welfare advocates spent years fine-tuning the bill’s language to insure permanent retirement for Federally owned chimps “no longer needed for biomedical research,” the government did finally pass the The Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection (CHIMP) Act in December, 2000. When the dust cleared, we were shocked and deeply disappointed to learn that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was successful in having the final bill amended—introducing language that explicitly allows for continued biomedical research on the supposedly “retired” chimpanzees in the “sanctuary” system! In the words of Representative James Greenwood: “This is our opportunity to continue to use these animals for research where it’s warranted. Secondly, to save taxpayers’ dollars, because we think we can do this, with a combination of public and private sources at less cost.” Huh? It seems that a new non-profit enterprise named “Chimp Haven”—which has agreed to the stipulation that chimpanzees may be recalled into research—will be contracting with the government to create this “sanctuary.” They will be reaching out to you—the public—to provide matching funds for this effort. Their appeals will sound remarkably similar to ours and those of other legitimate sanctuaries (only they’ll look nicer, with a $19 MILLION budget from the NIH to start!). Nowhere in their glossy brochures will you see mention of returning animals to research. “Chimp Haven”? You decide…. Obviously, the Primate Rescue Center cannot condone, support or be party to the warehousing of research subjects for the Federal government (or any other entity), under any circumstances. In our view, anything less than permanent, unconditional sanctuary for these research veterans is simply NOT sanctuary—it’s a cruel joke! Unfortunately, our views on the CHIMP Act are not universally shared by the animal welfare community. A number of prominent individuals and groups, including the ASPCA, the HSUS, and even Jane Goodall have voiced support of the amended bill. Even the government is attempting to put a positive spin on this mess. From an NIH press release dated September 30: “The sanctuary will provide lifetime care for Federally owned or supported chimpanzees that are no longer needed for biomedical research.” “Lifetime care”? This had me scratching my head until I realized how carefully this language was chosen. They’re “no longer needed” only until they are once again deemed “needed.” There are currently efforts underway to amend the CHIMP Act. For further infomation, go to Project R&R. And if you’re considering a donation to “Chimp Haven,” send it to a REAL sanctuary instead!
I’m sure it takes lots of money to keep the Primate Rescue Center in operation. Does the PRC get money from the Federal government or the state to help cover these costs?
This is one of the most common questions we’re asked, so I’m glad to have the opportunity to respond. Although we wish that there were such a funding source available to animal sanctuaries in the U.S.—there simply is not. Perhaps a primer in nonprofit organizations will help to explain why. Rather than directly fund such programs with taxpayer dollars, the Federal government instead allows the PRC and more than 1.1 million other charitable organizations to apply for tax-exempt, nonprofit status. Once qualified under the restrictions of the IRS tax code, such organizations are eligible for state and federal exemptions from payment of corporate income taxes, most sales taxes, and may qualify for other benefits, such as reduced postal mailing rates. To encourage public support of these “good works,” donors to nonprofit organizations may—subject to certain restrictions—deduct the amount of their donations to charitable organizations from their income taxes. It may help to think of this structure as the government’s way of encouraging the public sector to take on and fund those social services which—while necessary—are best not undertaken by government entities. The term “nonprofit” is somewhat of a misnomer, and does not literally mean that such organizations are prevented or prohibited from taking in more dollars than they expend in conducting their activities. Rather, any tax-free profits may then be used only to further the mission and purpose of the organization. The major distinction between a nonprofit and a “for profit” corporation is that a nonprofit may not distribute such profits for the benefit or “inurement” of officers, directors or employees. Unfortunately, not all nonprofits take these restrictions seriously, as evidenced by the fraud and conspiracy trial of former United Way executives. On the bright side, there are a great many resources available today for prospective donors to check into the effectiveness and efficiency of organizations to whom they may wish to give. Among the best are Guidestar and Charity Navigator.