H.R. 996 represents pet industry-crippling legislation and poor conservation planning. Here is a short 4-slide presentation companion animal (specifically companion parrot) owners can use to get a few salient points across to elected officials to explain why they should stop H.R. 996 in its tracks.

1. Defeat H.R. 996
Protect Pet Owners’ Rights
Protect Introduced Parrot Populations
Protect Jobs in an Industry that Comforts People

2. Introduced Parrots = No Harm
Wild parrots eat fruits and nuts that “native” species don’t
Organizations provide boxes to keep Quakers from using
powerlines/poles for nesting boxes (until wires go
underground, of course)—this gives Boy Scouts and other
youth a chance to build, grow, work in the community, etc.
Introduced parrots often represent endangered species in
other countries; conservation demands we protect them
however we can, not kill off their descendants we’ve bred
here

3. Pet Industry = Jobs
82.5 million households in the United States have pets
6.9 million households in 2012 owned pet birds
20.6 million pet birds are living in the United States (as of 2012)
Expenses that represent jobs: pet foods, treats, housing, boarding, grooming,
accessories, toys, gifts, pet health insurance, pet tracking/GPS/micro-chip
devices, beds, veterinary visits, medications, supplements & vitamins, water
conditioners, carriers & travel crates/cages, and much more.
Notice that health insurance, vet visits, medications and supplements, improved
foods and treats, and the use of GPS and other tracking devices flies in the face
of the supposition within H.R. 996 that owners easily release their pets. Instead,
pets are considered valuable members of the family.

4. Family Members