Dear :

Recently, I was informed that you are using chimpanzees in your [commercials, movies, tv show, etc.]. This is cruel and irresponsible.

To be used in your [commercials, movies, tv show, etc.], these complex and sensitive individuals are bought, sold, leased, and treated as commodities. This is not simply an issue of what happens on screen, but also what happens behind the scenes. Training methods can be violent and can include isolation, beatings, and total domination. This has been documented by animal trainers and trainers turned animal advocates who have said or heard things like, "A bored ape is one who wants to come out and work" In other words, these highly social individuals may be isolated and deprived just to get them desperate enough to come out of their cages to perform.

Further, to get these "performers," families are torn apart---usually only young chimpanzees are used in media performances. One must ask where the parents of these children are, and what kind of lives they are leading, if any. Nonhuman individuals used in media are confined to unnatural lives and may be killed or sent to medical experimentation facilities when they approach maturity.

As a supporter of protection for all animals, I am disappointed and frustrated that you are exploiting these creatures. I urge you to use only humans who can give their consent. Until then, I will not support your company.

Sincerely,

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