Some species are also, Big cats are also quite popular, especially in the US that has. Sadly, I'm not sure that we're going to win this fight. so its kinda confusing if we should let them go but they could get captured or something bad happens. Exotic pets can cause a serious amount of damage, but well get to that shortly. "There are exotic pet owners out there whose care and expertise could appeal to even the most diehard anti-captivity advocate, and since they exist, the right to keep alternative pets is worth protecting.". 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. These exotic animals spend their entire lives in water, never coming onto land. So "safe pets" caused over 40,000 treatments to be needed and that's not even including other pets deemed as safe like cats/rats/mice etc and reptiles/inverts, so called "dangerous wild animals", didn't even make it into 2000. Take any subject upon which opinions vary. Basically, whenever any animal of the exotic description harms anyone, the reaction is that all the animals should be banned. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on February 20, 2018: Adam, It's not my job to defend owning pets in general just because mine are exotic. Ten years ago, exotic animal owner Terry Thompson returned home to his 46-acre farm near Zanesville after a year-long stint in prison on a federal firearms conviction. But it was actually a list of counties and cities that ferrets were banned (at the time) with corresponding state. 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. If you hate that people keep exotic pets, its easy to be optimistic about them being forced into extinction. Bears, Cougars, Moose, Elk etc. Emmas passion for animals started at a young age. being kept as pets cannot declare any moral superiority over people who keep exotic pets, because both 'trades' have the same exact conflicts. Pot-bellied pigs, camels, and llamas are some examples. More and more veterinarians are willing to see some non-domestic animals, such as pocket pets.. I was asleep in the passenger seat with Jezzy curled up in my chest. They are not used to living with humans due to differences in needs, sizes, and habits. Just touching an exotic animal can make you sick. 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. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 20, 2014: Melissa - thank you so much for what you do. Dr. Alice Blue-McLendon, a clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and director of the Winnie Carter Wildlife Center, says that it is also important to differentiate between exotic pets, which can be kept ethically in domestic settings, and wildlife, which should not be kept domestically. Why would we condone such a horrendous treating of animals? Prospective owners should consider that there could be veterinary expenses in the purchase and the acquisition of any animal, she said. A TikTokker is showing viewers the reality of exotic pet ownership Enlarge this image Asha, an African serval, has almost a million followers on TikTok. Exotic could also be an animal that is not native to the area, so think of a kangaroo in the US, it doesnt really make sense, but it happens. The only characteristic that can define all animals considered to be domesticated is that they readily breed in the presence of humans. The reason people may be saying this is to salvage any possibility that their beloved animals won't nonsensically be made illegal. My little 6kg dog and my cat would do far more damaged to me or anyone else if they attacked than any of my exotics. Not only do domesticated animals hurt people, but they kill too. Breaking free is one thing, but animal attacks are quite another. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. 200 Westboro Road And yet, there is a stigma associated with it in almost every state except Nevada (and I think New Jersey also now?). 1,2 The surge in ownership of exotic animals has certainly contributed to an increase in owners seeking veterinary care for . Unlike traditional pets like cats and dogs, exotic pets belong to species such as rodents, reptiles, or amphibians. border: 1px solid gray; It is often the case that those who oppose exotic pet keeping on the grounds that they are unsuitable for captivity do not logically consider the welfare of traditional pets, applying their same logic. Well, the truth is that no animal has! This is because there is no government agency responsible for tracking the ownership and sale of privately owned exotic animals. This is a statement, not an argument. Louisville, KY. Exotic pet ownership statistics show that the pet trade imports 70% of them into the country. If you don't know who to call, then asking at the local pet store is another option. The exotic pet trade is cruller than you realize. Exotic animals, such as small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, have become common pets in American households. In actuality, the same conflicts that exist for exotic pets also exist for domesticated animals. As my username suggests, I'm playing devils advocate here, because there's no such thing as an "irrefutable" argument. Jungleland USA. The breeder you got your lemur or whatever from will tell you some story about how this animal was saved when in reality it was probably captured and taken away from it's family. I thought it was made clear that while I acknowledge that pet keeping is and always has been selfish, that any human other than monks following extreme ascetic lifestyles will find it completely impossible to become 'unselfish', nor do I think it's fair for any human to torture themselves over this idea and diminish their quality of life. Also, it steadily increased between 1990-2017. 75% of reptiles from pet shops die within the first year. (On her leash with her name tag). Some animals, such as big cats, cant be kept domestically in an ethical manner. There are few veterinarians that can treat your pet, food, and shelter may be expensive, or the animal needs specific or time-consuming care. He went to his car, Jezzy just chilling in his hand. They don't seem any more difficult than big cats. i named my fox Funtime foxy my favorite fox in FNAF. I never mentioned the pet trade. Despite expectations, will unforeseen deaths by domesticated pets ever end? The thriving industry is worth over $15 billion a year. 3. Exotic pet incident statistics show its not just these animals that get out. 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. } That said, I am an animal rights nut, but also a pragmatist. What do you expect from a wild animal like that! So yes, taking animals from their native habitat is wrong and endangers the ecosystem in the cases where the animal is endangered, but no it does not justify a blanket ban of any animal that is abnormal (not a cat or a dog). He said that she was quite beautiful asked me some questions about why I had her, how long, and where I was from. And your claims that "no pet big cat has escaped and attacked a member of the public" is patently false. You may care for your animals like any pet owner, but owning an animal that really hasn't adapted to living with humans seems very cruel to me. have an exotic pet, they are great fun, but remember a lot of them aren't good pets. My lemur or whatever was born in captivity just as you would buy a puppy from a breeder. Congratulations with your HotD! 3. appropriate diet, perches, maybe a catio or outdoor enclosure, the space it needs, and everything else, find it a loving home. How about sports betting? Because my ferret supposedly has rampant diseases. 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). . Summary: The above map details states that ban, partially ban, require licensure, or provide miscellaneous regulations on private ownership of wild or exotic animals.Currently, 20 states have what can be called "comprehensive bans." These bans typically classify wild cats, large non-domesticated carnivores, reptiles, and non-human primates as "dangerous animals" or otherwise prohibit private . "If this is the case, then you should have no problem with more restrictive laws (often referred to as "bans")". Is it ethical to support 10 "good owners" if you're also supporting 50 "bad" ones? If anything, this tells us to be concerned about macaques but we have around 100+ other exotics to assess. i dont ever want to abandon my fox because of poachers, wolves and people who abuse their pets. I have been taking my ferret on walks since I first got him, at first I let just anyone touch him; Kids, parents, local police (That one is a funny story). This is ultimately why your analogy to extreme sports fails - if something goes wrong during a skydive, the only one who will bear the consequences are the skydiver and his family, who presumably understand the risks involved. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 27, 2015: "How about sports betting? It should be about providing the animal with what it needs for its happiness and welfare.. Someone is saying an animal makes a good pet doesnt make that information credible.. Neither are the incidences involving small cats like servals. As of 2018, the US has over, Monkeys are the most common primate that private owners hold. This is not really an environmental issue, and despite this fact, the last time anyone has caught this virus from a macaque was in the 90's. I don't think there's anything wrong with exotic pets or cats. The exotic pet trade also damages food chains and ecosystems. Humans consume. Thank you for this article. Domestication is an arbitrary concept that cannot be strictly defined. margin-left: calc(50% - 580px); 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.". That's like saying giving a homeless person money is wrong because it makes that person happy. 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. Im sure there are exotic pet owners out there whose care and expertise could appeal to even the most diehard anti-captivity advocate, and since they exist, the right to keep alternative pets is worth protecting. Volunteer Services for Animals (VSA) is an organization of volunteers dedicated to animal well-being and the promotion of the human-animal bond through programs of education, advocacy and assistance. Oftentimes the breeders even have pedigrees for their animals. Also, what do you keep exactly? Just like the decision to purchase any new pet, getting an exotic animal is a major decision and responsibility; therefore, it should be treated as such. Its so much more than satisfying human curiosity and human satisfaction, Blue-McLendon said. Dr. Alice Blue-McLendon, a clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and director of . Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 28, 2014: Yes, particularly with the larger or more uncommon exotics, we've already lost the fight in most states and cities. i have noted down all your points for a debate at university. If someone you know owns an exotic pet, make them aware of the dangers. It's simplistically written for a reason: it is silly for anyone to expect no incidences to occur with any captive animal of a certain size. But I'm happy I got to finish my trip. So what! All animals are the same we just spent more time with dogs and cats. 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. 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. Companion animals | Exotic animals | Formulas/Calculator - Source: 2017-2018 U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook. Very educational and Congrats on HOTD Melissa. A yard, a house, proper vet care, supplies, etc. 5. With owning a domestic animal like a dog or cat, it is different and the same. Between 19942012, owning amphibians and reptiles jumped from 2.4 million to. Private ownership of big cats in the U.S. is currently not regulated by federal law. you could try and stop selfish people and inspire selflessness. Venkatachari M from Hyderabad, India on May 25, 2015: Very interesting article on exotic pet keeping. Exotic animal bedding and cages cost between 500 and 8,000 dollars on average. Selfishness is inherent to every organism. Mas Agung Wilis/NurPhoto via Getty Images. Also keep in mind that there are no mammals from the exotic pet trade that are currently invasive in U.S. Samantha Chapnick (CC BY-ND 2.0) Via Flickr. Is it just the genet? first of all chihuahuas are toy dogs and bred to be companions. A lot. Children on an elephant at Jungleland, 1962. The existence of the animal means that some people will abuse it. The US imports the most marine aquarium fish in the world. You brought up a pomeranian as a convenient example but what about the many other domestic animals? Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on March 22, 2017: You can't help me notice anything. All require the owner to do research, lest their care is executed poorly. 75% of human infections started with an animal-borne disease. i can't even so nasty. I'd really love for you to expand on your point as to why owning a domestic animal could ever be the same as owning an exotic one. Luckily the judge had knowledge about ferrets, and accepted my response. Just like wild animals, pet birds (an exotic pet that sometimes may not be considered as such), hamsters, and indoor cats require, and unfortunately often do not receive, a mentally stimulating environment, socialization relevant to their species, and an outlet for their energy. I wouldn't let her go and I was a crying mess. If nobody wants exotic pets, traders wont catch them. But no cat is built to live inside a house (consider learning more about proper indoor enrichment). When I think PS, I want to know; is an animal going to attack me or my child while we're minding our own business, assuming no risk, as countless dogs have done (just as in the recent viral video where a cat "defends" the little boy). I do support reasonable regulations on dangerous exotics, but never full-out bans or ridiculous, impossible-to-meet standards. Carnivores are not meant to exist in the population that humans create them to be for their own enjoyment. I find it to be irrefutable that no one can really know which animal is better off. The captive big cat population in the US is estimated to be up to 10,000 animals, and the captive tiger population at up to 7,000. 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