Ongoing Legislation

The Current Situation

North Carolina is one of only five states without a statewide ban on keeping primates as pets. This means there is no single, consistent law at the state level. Instead, each county and city sets its own rules, creating a patchwork of local legislation. In some jurisdictions, primates are prohibited, in others they are allowed with permits and in many areas there are few to no restrictions.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission states that wild animals generally cannot be kept as pets for amusement or companionship, but exemptions and limited enforcement leave significant gaps. Past public records have shown dozens of privately owned primates in the state, many under older “grandfathered” permits.

Past Efforts to Address the Problem

Over the years, both county governments and state legislators have attempted to pass laws banning certain exotic animals, including primates. These proposals have often grouped primates together with species like big cats, wolves and bears. While the goal was to address multiple concerns at once, this broad approach drew strong opposition from a wide range of exotic animal owners and businesses.

As a result, many of these proposals have been voted down, weakened, or abandoned. Because there is no single state law, we are left with the current patchwork system, which is difficult to enforce and leaves animals and the public at risk.

Why Our Approach Is Different

Our organization is advocating for a targeted, primate‑specific ban on private pet ownership. By focusing only on primates, we can:

• Address their unique behavioral, social and welfare needs in a way that broader bills cannot

• Highlight the real dangers, such as disease transmission, aggression, injuries and psychological harm to the animals

• Reduce political resistance from owners of unrelated exotic animal species

This bill would not affect accredited zoos, sanctuaries, research facilities or legitimate educational institutions. Its sole focus is to prohibit private primate ownership for companionship or entertainment.

The Federal Landscape

The Captive Primate Safety Act is a proposed federal law that would ban the private possession and interstate sale of nonhuman primates as pets across the United States. It has been introduced several times in Congress but has repeatedly stalled due to competing priorities and opposition from interest groups.

Until this national law passes, states like North Carolina remain unprotected, and the flow of primates through the pet trade continues largely unchecked.

Why Action Is Urgent

Primates are intelligent, social and often endangered. Removing them from the wild often involves killing their parents. In captivity, especially in private homes, they cannot express their natural behaviors and may develop health issues, aggressive behaviors and severe psychological distress.

The current patchwork of rules in North Carolina is not enough to protect them or the people around them. Passing a primate‑specific statewide ban is a practical, humane and achievable step that would close this gap, protect communities and set North Carolina on a stronger, more ethical path for wildlife policy.

The Captive Primate Safety Act

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Our Bill

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