Ohio exotic animals find new homes

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 16 (UPI) -- Exotic animal owners in Ohio have begun moving their animals elsewhere to comply with the upcoming enforcement of the Dangerous and Wild Animals Act.

The Dangerous and Wild Animals Act, parts of which takes effect Sept. 3, forces owners of exotic animals and snakes to apply for permits and meet regulations.

The law was passed in response to the release last October by Terry Thompson, who then committed suicide. Dozens of the animals had to be killed, prompting the law, which takes full effect Jan. 1, 2014.

"It's really hard to find homes for these animals," Bobbi Brink, founder and director of Lions Tigers & Bears Big Cat Sanctuary and Rescue in California, told The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. "Private owners are afraid. They don't know what the rules are going to be. ... It's going to be a huge challenge. My goal is to keep these animals from being euthanized."