Help Outlaw the Sale of Kangaroo Body Parts in the U.S.

UPDATE (7/27/23): The Kangaroo Protection Act has been reintroduced in Congress by Rep. Brian K Fitzpatrick [R-PA-1] and Rep. Jan Schakowsky [D-IL-9]. It is now H.R.4995. Read the new bill here.

Around 2 million kangaroos are hunted and killed every year so that their skin can be used to produce soccer shoes, or ‘cleats’. The hunt results in entire families of kangaroos being shot in the dead of night with night-vision rifle scopes. And according to Australia's kangaroo killing guidelines, slaughtered female kangaroos should be checked for joeys in their pouches - who should be bludgeoned to death if found.

“The mouth of a kangaroo can be blown off and the kangaroo can escape to die of shock and starvation. Forearms can be blown off, as can ears, eyes, and noses. Stomachs can be hit expelling the contents with the kangaroo still alive.” - David Nicholls, former kangaroo shooter

Major athletic brands including Nike, Puma, Adidas, Mizuno, and New Balance were among the companies said to be still supporting - and profiting - from the cruel kangaroo slaughter, which is the world’s largest commercial slaughter of land-based wildlife. Fortunately, thanks to compassionate people - like you - speaking out against the trade, Nike, Puma, and New Balance have announced that they will stop making any products containing kangaroo leather by the end of 2023. But other brands, like Adidas and Mizuno, have still not made that pledge.

Currently, California is the only U.S. state to outlaw the sale of kangaroo skin. But, to help protect kangaroos from this horrific industry, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick [R-PA-1], has recently introduced the Kangaroo Protection Act. If passed, this act would ban kangaroo leather products, and encourage brands to construct ‘cleats’ from the many alternative, cruelty-free fabrics available.

Take Action Now

Add your name to voice your support for the Kangaroo Protection Act - for kangaroos, your support could mean the difference between life and death.

Further Action:

Please also consider reaching out to your members of congress to ask them to cosponsor this bill. You can use this link to find your state representatives. Simply type in your zip code and your state representatives will appear, under each person’s photo there will be a contact link. This will take you to their individual contact page where you can fill out an online form asking them to cosponsor H.R.4995.

You can use this note as a template or write your own. The more unique letters that our representatives receive the better.:

Dear Representative [INSERT NAME],

I am your constituent, and I am writing to ask you to cosponsor H.R.4995 the Kangaroo Protection Act. This important bill would save wild kangaroos from being violently killed for consumer products. The United States should not be supporting the killing of 2 million kangaroos a year to make soccer cleats. Please do the right thing and help get this bill passed.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]