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Primates as Pets

The Wisconsin Primate Research Center (WPRC) does not condone the private ownership of primates as pets. Primates require professional, well-managed care. They are susceptible to both transmitting diseases to humans and contracting diseases from humans. People considering private ownership of primates should seek professional advice before making their decision. Primate Info Net links to some sites containing information for and advice to people who have primates as pets. The responsibility for the information contained and for the advice offered in these sites rests with the manager of each site. Inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement of the views expressed. The WPRC accepts no responsibility for any information found at these or other sites linked to from Primate Info Net.

WPRC Internet Services Advisory Committee
Wisconsin Primate Research Center

Information for Primate Owners

• American Society of Primatologists: Private Ownership of Primates  
• Are You Sure You Want a Monkey?  (Monkey Matters magazine)
• Bedtime for Bonzo: The real bedtime story  
• Capuchins  
• Dangerous Plants  
• Fact and Fiction: Monkeys and Apes as Pets  (Humane Society of the United States)
• Hand Raising and Reintroduction of Common Marmosets: A Layman's Experience  
• Keeping Primates As Pets  
• Off The Wall: Primates  
• Paul's Marmoset Home Page  
• Pet Monkeys: A Reality Check  
• Primate Fact Sheet  (Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition)
• Primate Incidents 1995-2005  (PDF)
• Ring-Tailed Lemur Care Sheet  
• Simian Society of America  
• Simply Simian, Inc.  
• Squirrel Monkey Care Sheet  (by Tom Columbano)
• Squirrel monkeys  
• Suite 101: Primates  
• The Problem With Primates  
• Tuberculosis--Diagnosis and Treatment Recommendations  
• Visiting the veterinarian  
• Zoonoses Acquired from Pet Primates  

Primate Laws

• Connecticut: H.B. No. 6394, 2003  (Connecticut: H.B. No. 6394, 2003: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ENDANGERED SPECIES PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION)
• Minnesota S.F. No 1530, 2004  (Restricting ownership of animals)
• Monkey Maddness Guide to State Regulations