TIME FOR SOME ACCOUNTABILITY (Animal Welfare is everyone's responsibility)
"The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate
them, but to be indifferent to them. That's the essence of inhumanity."
George Bernard Shaw
Let's Demand Some Higher Standards
I was thinking to myself, and then realized, I have a website so I can share what I'm thinking! As a monkey parent I think it's time to call for higher standards. It's our responsibly to educate potential monkey owners to what they are entering into. It's our responsibility to hold unscrupulous brokers accountable. It is now our responsibility because no one else is willing to step up and do it. It's time to demand accountability from breeders that breed monkeys that aren't healthy, or sell monkeys to make a profit to owners that clearly are not qualified. Shouldn't we expect breeders and brokers be straight with people and tell them honestly what to expect as a monkey parent?. It's time to demand that breeders have records of adequate vet care and properly documented parentage to assure that potential monkey owners aren't being set up to buy sick or genetically unsound babies. Too many breeders have bogus "health certificates" declaring that the monkey is in sound condition... when clearly it is not. Who is responsible... the breeder?.. the vet that was too busy to do a comprehensive health check? There are no words to express the heartbreak and pain when losing a young monkey for no apparent reason. Breeders are always going to be around because people will always want to purchase primates; no matter how much anyone tries to talk them out of it. We need to concentrate on properly educating potential owners. This is one goal I have set for myself; to do all I can to educate potential owners on exactly what it means to adopt a primate. and to clearly discourage those I feel are unfit. I do my best to answer questions about all aspects of monkey parenthood. If I don't have the answer, I direct them to someone who can. We need to expect the same from breeders. Do they truly care about the primates they breed? Do they properly educate the prospective owners about what to expect? Do they take the proper care to place these beautiful creatures in homes were they will be properly cared for? Are they truly concerned about the welfare of the animal or is it all about making money? I think as responsible monkey owners, it's up to us to begin policing the monkey trade as well as calling out inadequate monkey owners. Someone has to do it, for the love of the monkeys. No wonder the bureaucrats feel compelled to get into our business and seem so determined to legislate away our rights. We haven't been doing our jobs by insisting that monkey breeders do theirs! If we continue to be more concerned with getting along in the monkey community than standing up for the rights of these amazing animals, it will soon be out of our hands. Due diligence is needed before we all lose our right to share our lives with these amazing animals. Eventually, we will all have to pay the price for our complacency. When that happens, there will be no one to blame but ourselves.
If you have general questions or need details about any of our products, or if you just need to "monkey" talk, please contact me at (253) 862-0432 or email me at LindaLawrence@aol.com If I'm unable to answer your questions, I'll do my best to direct you to someone who can.