The definition of an exotic pet varies by locale, so what is considered "domesticated" in one place may be considered exotic elsewhere. Everyone knows cats hunt, but they seem to forget this when they present to me ridiculous anti-exotic pet arguments. the picture up the page is of a genet. Thats more than. Interesting topic on exotic pets.The exotic pet owners get attention for themselves and for their pets. Thank you for reading this. And it's estimated that 80-90% of macaques (even "pet trade" individuals) carry the Herpes B virus, which is fatal to humans. Why is the exotic pet trade singled out when it is far from the only offender, and critics of the exotic pet trade benefit from activities that ALSO contribute to invasive exotic species, including domesticated animal keeping. Surely, it's a problem of humanity's own making, but our only option now is to provide the best home possible for these creatures. On a side note.. Im not necessarily against exotic pet ownership. Sadly that is unanswerable, although I would wager millions of years of evolution would be hard to overcome. 1,2 The surge in ownership of exotic animals has certainly contributed to an increase in owners seeking veterinary care for . A human-socialized tiger has a better disposition than a feral cat, but the feral cat is domesticated and the tiger is not, because that word means a change of genes. So why is one opinion acceptable and another is not? Not all domestics enjoy humans and not all non-domestics only do so when trained. I meant to say "It doesn't matter if you'll take good care of your "pet" because the animal most likely was (when it was captured and being transported) unable to eat, move, and behave properly.". Dr. Alice Blue-McLendon, a clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and director of . That is my opinion. Exotic pet ownership is more popular than you might think. The word has nothing to do with tameness. The garden plant trade is also equally damaging. Just a girl trying to make a difference on March 21, 2017: Unlike most of the people in the comments, I do not support exotic pets. Why do people tend to overlook this strikingly obvious fact about the nature of all pets? Some people like to claim that keeping exotic pets will save them in the wild but I think thats untrue in most cases, so I apologize for that on their behalf even if they dont agree with me. I've never heard of a wild animal catching Herpes B virus from a monkey (there are wild macaque colonies restricted to parts of Florida). In Mexico City, a 500-pound lion escaped from a local lawmakers private zoo and attacked a woman and child. Singapore is one of the largest pet importers. Unlike traditional pets like cats and dogs, exotic pets belong to species such as rodents, reptiles, or amphibians. It is becoming crystal clear that many things humans do as mere hobbies and pleasure have negative impacts for our world, but laws seem to be made only when people are wrongfully intimidated by something. have an exotic pet, they are great fun, but remember a lot of them aren't good pets. You can have 20 years of expertise, a 10 acre compound, and loads of money. Some species are also, Big cats are also quite popular, especially in the US that has. Brazil has a similar situation with mammals. From rats to dogs, to goldfish, to cats, despite how easy it might seem to care for these animals, there are people who will acquire them and will cause them to have a poor quality of life and/or premature death. If you have an exotic pet, you are most likely promoting the exotic pet trade. 3. Is it just the genet? Don't like hunting for sport and would prefer much better gun control. Captive wild-animal attacks often make the news. i believe animals should be free but of course there are people who abuse them or poach them or also sell them for money which is not right. These animals are tortured and kept cruelly for our enjoyment. It is a big problem, said Blue-McLendon. Sep 4, 2020, 10:38 AM. VSA provides financial assistance to pet owners for veterinary care. You must be able to recognize I have a blog dedicated to this subject and have run into those same arguments tirelessly before. Most exotic pets are wild, and thats where they belong, not cooped up as a pet. This is stupid cats and dogs are nice and wild animals would eat you for a snack. It should be about providing the animal with what it needs for its happiness and welfare.. I just can't bring myself to accept defeat, however inevitable it seems. Here's a list of exotic pets that are legal in Arizona. An adult Axolotl requires a 20-gallon aquarium due to the large amount of . There are also problems with the trade of all animals. Because my ferret supposedly has rampant diseases. But is that the right thing to do? I have little doubt in my mind that exotics have probably caused non-severe incidents (like the lynx) that was simply not reported; again, regardless of the fact that there are millions of dogs so that accounts for their millions of bites, there are still at least thousands of exotic cats. I would certainly enjoy a law that would prohibit peoples attempts to ban my pets and lifestyle, but I know that wouldnt be ethical. Despite expectations, will unforeseen deaths by domesticated pets ever end? Tools. How about sports betting? One needs to have an open mind to the pros and cons of the big picture putting aside opinions of right and wrong and realizing they are often arbitrary. @media only screen and (min-width: 1160px) { The Act states that the exemption list is set by regulation, rather than being included in . The only special permits required are to move llamas, cattle, bison, domestic dog, horses, ferrets, goats, poultry, sheep, and pigs on the state's roads. 5. They are not used to living with humans due to differences in needs, sizes, and habits. Being prepared to invest a little bit into big enough caging is important in providing the animal with a decent home.. you could try and stop selfish people and inspire selflessness. To me this is indefensible. If theres no demand, the trade will cease to exist. Why? I guess there can be some expectations, but that's probably very small. It must be comfortable and allowed to meet 'humans' if it wants too and both parties must feel safe. There is evidence suggesting that this encourages poaching of wild animals. I don't have animals because I think I'm saving them. I hate the mentality of banning everything that isn't accepted by the general population, and think you do a great job of fighting it. I do plan on having a small, responsible, licensed zoo after college. And yet, by and large the wildlife situation in the US national forests is in reasonable shape. I agree with some comments, saying that you need to have the resources, time, knowledge, and having the proper living situations to have be allowed to keep an animal, exotic or domestic. I see your argument, though I don't think it is right for anyone to own an animal that deserves to live naturally in the wild. I know I am some random person on the internet, and this may all be annoying to read since your views are different, but please understand I care for the animals. More and more veterinarians are willing to see some non-domestic animals, such as pocket pets.. Exotic pet ownership, small or large, is a big responsibility and it's a long-term commitment. You say their's 5 arguments for exotic pet ownership, yet you're only giving me 1 and then you rehash the same point.. We get it!! Common exotic pets that can be kept responsibly include pocket pets, such as rabbits, Guinea pigs and hamsters, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians. The only thing that needs to be addressed is whether or not the species fares well in captivity, and I'm certain that there's just as much 'evidence' for most exotic pet species as there are for indoor-only domesticated felines and possibly even dogs, despite their extreme willingness to live with us. Pot-bellied pigs, camels, and llamas are some examples. If thats not bad enough, brace yourself for more horrifying stories. Glendale, AZ. I noticed some things about your argument that are plain untrue and I would like to help you notice this. But if a pet owner makes a mistake, innocent community members could pay the price. Any animal can be kept as long as it is properly cared for, thanks i doing a school essay and this help a lot, that is why this topic is so controversial, Thanks for the information I think the same as you. im impressed that u know how to put fake info. My point is why contribute to the selfishness? You are saying two wrongs make a right. These issues are resolved the same exact way you would with an 'exotic' animal. Tigers tame rather well, just as well as any cat, or perhaps better. And in Oregon, an escaped pet lynx was shot after it pounced on a six-year-old girl and began clawing her head. Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. some one needs to tell deb over there to do better research on florida, when they went out and did the great snake hunts they barely found any snakes. Survival of many animals will depend on the preservation of habitat for the preservation of wildlife, not whether exotic animals socialized and raised as pets; however, it might well be the answer for the survival of many species. Vvitta, I also look at the point of view of the animalwhat about the animals your pets are slaughtering? Servals aren't typically aggressive, but they can be difficult to own as they are still considered "wild." If you manage to get a tiger to not kill you every chance it gets you haven't domesticated it, you've just tamed it. Owning an exotic pet comes with a whole lot more responsibilities. I also have snakes, an iguana, and a green aracari. Invasive populations of mammals originating from the exotic pet trade are very rare and pretty much only exist in Florida. We're talking about exotics. They do similar things to lions and tigers they'll take the cubs from mom, tell you she wasn't accepted and sell them off. everyone, can't say there is some novel reason keeping exotics is so terrible. ]]>*/, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University But exotic pet statistics show that the $15 billion industry is growing, and we need to do what we can to stop it. Maybe this is true, not one of my areas of interest. Now don't think that I find the non-U.S. incidents irrelevant or that I believe that it's IMPOSSIBLE for a cat to escape and harm a member of the public. Between 20162019, its numbers grew by. As I understand, the Act requires animal owners to have a permit for any types of animals that are not included on an exemption list. Also that their original practical use was to put them inside pipes to hunt/chase out unwanted mice and rats. You brought up a pomeranian as a convenient example but what about the many other domestic animals? Animal rights advocates advise against keeping most wild animals in captivity, but that hasn't stopped exotic pet lovers from legally owning . To help you better understand the exotic pet trade, we put together the most crucial information about it. And yet, there is a stigma associated with it in almost every state except Nevada (and I think New Jersey also now?). But there arent specific products for exotic pets, which presents a massive issue. We should remember that there are also a lot of exotic animals in countries with extremely poor protection for animals; and when animals in these nations become a business, the lows and cruelty of humans has no bounds, Here's the thing, exotic pet ownership is a multifactorial topic. The escape of 50 exotic animals near Zanesville, Ohio, last month brought into the spotlight the complex issues, as well as dangers, of keeping wild animals as domestic pets. 50% of pets in the US are considered exotic. A pet jaguar in Belize escaped in 2010 and killed the neighbor of the owner. I hope some education will help you all. Jungleland USA was a private zoo, animal training facility, and animal theme park in Thousand Oaks, California, United States, on the current site of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. If you say that you have government sources, please show us them. I understand what Melissa is saying however I was talking about the impact exotic animals have on our eco system. Accessibility | Most so-called wild or exotic animals CANNOT survive in the 'wild'. Animals help us fill the void, and even if you have the money, time, and knowledge to care for exotic animals, why do it? PS is -not- under siege by exotic pets, as statistics show. Well, the truth is that no animal has! The point is that you shouldn't be judging me if you're fine with owning cats. margin-left: calc(50% - 580px); Venkatachari M from Hyderabad, India on May 25, 2015: Very interesting article on exotic pet keeping. Some examples of exotic pets include certain skunks, foxes, ferrets, frogs, turtles, and rabbits. Permits to Own Exotic Animals In addition to prohibitions and restrictions on exotic pet ownership, the majority of states have some sort of permit, license, or registration requirement to possess certain animals. While not all dogs are attackers, you dont know which ones are, and that alone heightens the danger. With owning a domestic animal like a dog or cat, it is different and the same. Look it up if you don't believe me. Unfortunately, many people hold exotic pets illegally and hide the damage they cause to avoid legal prosecution. ? But dogs and cats bite too. Also, what do you keep exactly? So what if some people do say stuff about exotic animals belong in their habitat, well so do regular animals like cats and dogs and even birds. Also, it steadily increased between 1990-2017. to have anything as a pet, is completely wrong ! If nobody wants exotic pets, traders wont catch them. You dream it we build it Licensed Bonded Insured Aimnwconstruction dot com do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers We often associate them with funny behaviors like eating bananas and throwing feces. Its true, there are problems with the exotic pet trade, and Ill never hesitate to admit this. Nature is tough enough for animals without luxury pets going on killing sprees. Of course I thought ticket. If pets shouldn't be confined then they also shouldn't exist. The exotic pet industry is worth $15 billion a year. An irrefutable fact is the destruction of animal habitat by humankind slowing forcing many animals into extinction. Is it ethical to support 10 "good owners" if you're also supporting 50 "bad" ones? Just touching an exotic animal can make you sick. "And it's estimated that 80-90% of macaques (even "pet trade" individuals) carry the Herpes B virus, which is fatal to humans.". first of all chihuahuas are toy dogs and bred to be companions. I'm not an expert in bear care nor particularly interested in keeping one, but why don't you recommend keeping them? I've lived with cats and dogs in my youth. Quite apart from malpractices by keeper and inadequate facilities in these concrete tanks the effect of captivity ultimately destroys the mental equilibrium and welfare of these highly intelligent and sentient creatures . In 2011, over 50 wild animals were released in Zanesville, Ohio. I know you might not be able to give your animals up so they can live in the wild because they can't hunt, but I hope your views may change in the future. It's insulting when people approach someone who's obviously invested in a subject and attempt to 'argue' using basic points they heard in some anti-exotic pet pamphlet. This next part is just a story that has had a significant impact on my memory. 200 Westboro Road Post was not sent - check your email addresses! That's like saying giving a homeless person money is wrong because it makes that person happy. My mother called me an hour later to say that the cop had called her saying we were fine but what happened. In the United States where exotic pets are legal the USDA regulates the sale and origin of the exotic pet that is to be sold or adopted. You did great. Of course not. I saw in another article that you didn't believe that bears could be properly kept by private owners. Thank you for this article. Otherwise, great article I enjoyed reading it and it helped me a ton with an argumental essay on this topic. 3. It is an exciting topic which is very useful for exotic pet keepers. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 15, 2014: DevilsAdvocate-- I should also point out upon reviewing my words that a lynx is not considered to be a 'big cat' to me or zoologists, so the lynx scenario is also not an example of what I was referring to. Let the authorities handle it and stop thinking all American pet owners need to be punished by having their pets banned due to the actions of criminals. Domestication is an arbitrary concept that cannot be strictly defined. My fox belongs somewhere to be free but when she was little she got bit by a wolf and i saved her when she was getting hurt so from now on ive kept her safe. "And your claims that "no pet big cat has escaped and attacked a member of the public" is patently false.". Find out in this article. I only have a few exotic reptiles right now, but would definitely like to expand when I'm older and more financially stable. Between 19942012, owning amphibians and reptiles jumped from 2.4 million to. All I can say is that dog and cat supporters, i.e. But the bites of monkeys can be deadlyespecially in this case from Malaysia in 2019 when the monkey bit through a major artery. One could also argue that, even if the very best care is provided to an animal, merely purchasing the animal supports the trade, which in turn supports the improper care provided by less-experienced owners. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on January 21, 2015: Wild or not your cat would be domesticated Tina. She believes in treating animals with the devotion and respect they deserve. In fact, despite the vivid imagination of law makers, no pet big cat has escaped and attacked a member of the "uninvolved" public (people who aren't the owner, or voluntarily visiting the animal) in the U.S. In my opinion the world would be less selfish if no one kept exotic pets, though you are right that the world is corrupt and people everywhere are selfish. Well that would be true, if that was the only thing I wrote. In 2005, a lion and tiger owned by a mechanic in Minnesota bolted from their cage and pounced on a 10-year-old boy, leaving him a quadriplegic and on a respirator due to the severe injuries to his spinal cord and brain. I can tell you irrefutably that my "exotics" are easier to care for then my "domestics". Giving a homeless person money is wrong because it makes that person.... A side note.. Im not necessarily against exotic pet trade are very rare and pretty much only in! Also look at the point is that no animal has is in reasonable shape, if that was the thing... York on January 21, 2015: wild or exotic animals can not survive in the 'wild ' over. A pet, they are not used to living with humans due the. Truth is that you did n't believe that bears could be properly kept by private owners arguments before... In Mexico City, a 500-pound lion escaped from a local lawmakers zoo! Escaped in 2010 and killed the neighbor of the college of veterinary Medicine Biomedical! 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