A new bill introduced by Senator Blumenthal would make it illegal for individuals to own, breed, or buy monkeys, apes, lemurs, and other primates as pets. The goal is to improve public safety and ensure these animals are not kept in homes where they cannot be properly cared for.
The policy bans the transport of these animals across state lines or international borders for private ownership. It also stops the breeding of primates for the pet trade, though licensed zoos, sanctuaries, and research labs would still be allowed to have them.
People who already own a primate can keep their pet as long as they register the animal with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 180 days of the law passing. These owners must also agree not to breed the animal, sell it, or allow the general public to have direct contact with it.
The Secretary of the Interior would be required to create specific rules to enforce these changes within six months. Even if those rules are delayed, the ban on buying, selling, and breeding would still go into effect to prevent people from rushing to get new pets before the deadline.
Impact Analysis
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Milestones
2 milestones2 actions
May 5, 2025Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
May 5, 2025
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
