Below is a copy of my letter posted to the Shambala Forum under the Guestbook link.
Ms. Tippi Hedren,
I am writing to voice my strong disapproval of The Shambala Act. This Bill seems to be written with the full intent of a mass euthanasia of the animals "protected" therein!
Many folks should NOT own any form of animal let alone an exotic animal as we all know; however, the Shambala bill will NOT stop this scenario. These owners will simply move underground and hide the animals and it will become a black market type situation. The animals will live under very poor conditions and have little if any veterinary care.
I listened to your interview Saturday (May 6) on the Bob Villa show. Ms. Culver asked you how this Bill would affect current permit holders and this was your reply: "It does not affect them at all. I wish everyone would really, really look at the bill-I am not trying to ban animals." Sorry Tippi, but I am not a fool and I CAN read…. You are misleading owners and the lawmakers with your statements. If this bill were to become law, I would lose my animals or they would have to DIE!!!
You definitely are trying to penalize current permit holders by the liability insurance and surety bond requirement clauses. I have had a USDA permit for the past 15 years and have had no problems with my inspectors, no accidents, and no escaped animals. I am not currently breeding and doubt if I will breed in the future, so we support the care of our animals out of our own pocket as we do not solicit donations from the public such as you do. We do our own work in our facility and do not have volunteers or hired help to "scoop the poop" as you do. We are in our early 60's and are semi retired and would be classed as a middle income family. I have inquired as to the cost of the insurance and the surety bond and find that it would be a minimum of $5000. per year and we would have to have assets of $500,000. to $1,000,000. to cover the surety bond. I cannot afford such costs. The Shambala Bill is NOT about good animal care as you try to indicate, it is all about MONEY and the removal of the animals from all but the "Rich & Famous"!
You have also exempted your self and others like you from having to have these permits….just why is this? Two of your ASA members (Wildlife Waystation and the Asvestas Wildlife Animal Orphanage in TX) have already had massive problems with the authorities citing improper animal care, death of animals during transport, pollution by human and animal waste, and improper animal housing. There is every indication that your sanctuary status should NOT exempt you or your members from the regulations that you are trying to impose on others.