Any pet owner can attest to the special bond they share with their critters. I've been blessed to have the most heartwarming experience when I rescued three pet rats, which were originally intended to serve as snake food. However, these extraordinary creatures turned out to be the most empathetic, compassionate, social, and sweet pets. Their intelligence astounded me, comparative to a seven-year-old child.

In Florida, it is currently common and legal to use live animals such as mice, rats, chickens and rabbits to feed reptiles and other carnivorous species. This is not just heartrending, it is cruel and repulsive. This practice can also cause unnecessary stress and harm to both the predator and the prey. ASPCA is also opposed to live feedings, advocating where alternatives exists, because it is a matter of unnecessary cruelty. (https://www.aspca.org

In addition to the issues of sheer cruelty, live feeding in captivity can generate a host of undesirable behaviors and habits in pets that would not usually be an issue in their natural habitats. This includes aggressive behavior and weight related health issues.

We believe that Florida should join many other places around the world in making live-feeding illegal. I invite you, out of compassion and consideration for these helpless creatures, to put yourself into their shoes. Imagine their terror, their pain. Animals, regardless of their size or shape, deserve our understanding and respect. Animal welfare should be a priority for us all.

Let's put an end to this cruel, outdated practice. Sign this petition to urge the Florida State Legislature to ban live-feeding in Florida. Your signature can be the difference between life and cruelty for these innocent animals.