What happens to primates after their lives in research labs, roadside zoos, or private homes come to an end? For many, the future is uncertain. But in Perry County, Ohio, a new future is being built — one that promises safety, healing, and a second chance.

Tessa Wilde founded For the Love of Primates in 2019 with a bold and compassionate mission: to create and support a sanctuary for primates retired from research, used in the entertainment industry, or previously kept as “pets.” The organization is grounded in the belief that, after spending their lives in human environments, these animals deserve a future filled with peace, safety, and compassionate care.

Nonhuman primates used in research at state facilities in Virginia had only one option after their time in the lab was over: euthanasia. Thanks to a new bill passed by the Virginia Senate, that may finally change. On February 4, 2025, the Senate approved SB 907, a bill that paves the way for retired research primates to live out the rest of their lives in sanctuaries rather than being euthanized.

Every year, thousands of animals—including dogs and monkeys—are used in research laboratories. In 2024 alone, countless animals endured lives of confinement and experiments, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Ohio Animal Advocates stands alongside other leading agencies, including the National Anti-Vivisection Society and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, in our fundamental belief that the future of science is humane. By promoting innovative alternatives to animal testing, we are paving the way for research methods that are not only more ethical but also more effective.

Urge Congress to prohibit the private possession of nonhuman primates!