Tambako The Jaguar (CC BY-ND 2.0) Via Flickr. Argument 3 is pretty good, but we can't say with certainty that NO exotic pet has EVER harmed the environment. This is partially true, it is far more dangerous to be locked in a cage with any tiger picked at random compared to a random canine. It's no different from the stock market". I'm fairly confident you can't. If you love them, don't you want them to have a natural life in the wild? Emma is a lover of all animals. first of all chihuahuas are toy dogs and bred to be companions. Very educational and Congrats on HOTD Melissa. Most issues like this are judgement calls - and that makes them arbitrary relative to opinions and experiences upon which they are founded. Thank you for reading this. If a 3-year-old child is attacked and killed by their parents dog who has "never shown any aggression before," the child is somehow less dead than if killed by a wolfdog. African pigmy hedgehogs, even sugar gliders can make good pets. 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. 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. Many exotics are also cared for in relation to their species-specific needs, so some exotics have outdoor access or live exclusively outside. Although not always an ideal pet for everyone, the Serval is a gorgeous exotic cat from Africa. To help you better understand the exotic pet trade, we put together the most crucial information about it. In the 90s, between 2-5 million birds were sold globally. While not all dogs are attackers, you dont know which ones are, and that alone heightens the danger. When we got to California, we entered from a less trafficked road. Lets take a look. It doesn't mean that we should do it to other animals. No one intends to harm animals by keeping them as pets even though this can unintentionally occur. I was asleep in the passenger seat with Jezzy curled up in my chest. You can have 20 years of expertise, a 10 acre compound, and loads of money. It does not take 30,000 years to domesticate animals just because dogs have been around for that long. I remember being so scared, as they opened the door and reached for her. I was hoping to get a little more information. In 2011, over 50 wild animals were released in Zanesville, Ohio. 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). 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. Exotic pet statistics show reptiles can carry the very same bacteria, and you dont have to eat one to get infected. Thats more than. However, the conclusion that because some animals are endangered, and when removed from their habitat the ecosystem suffers greatly, all exotic animals must be banned is faulty reasoning. . The term exotic pet encompasses a broad range of animals, loosely meaning any pet that is not a dog, cat, or farm animal. Also that their original practical use was to put them inside pipes to hunt/chase out unwanted mice and rats. So here the "bad guy" to a large extent funds and regulates wildlife and supports a manageable and sustainable strategy. http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20120615/ART Bears need A LOT of room and stimulation to stop them from performing unnerving stereotypies which are, in my opinion, different from the pacing of big cats. thanks for the information i think the same too. Just my considered opinion. People who seek to resolve the perceived public safety threat of exotic pets are hardly saving many human lives by proposing bans. The presence of wild-looking spots still unnerves most people more than rowdy dogs kept loosely confined in backyards. We are talking about exotic pets. Take A Trip On The Wild Side: Ethical Exotic Pet Ownership. Dogs and cats in the United States have been bread for years and years to be domesticated animals. It is not realistic to assume that all cat keepers are aware of the commitment involved that should be carried out with all pets in captivityin fact most people view cats as 'easy care' pets that don't require much attention from the owner. Prospective owners can try to get references from whoever theyre buying the animals from, and buying locally is always really good, Blue-McLendon said. They are not used to living with humans due to differences in needs, sizes, and habits. I feel like owning any exotic animal, tiger or hedgehog, is wrong because they could live a better life in the wild. Invasive populations of mammals originating from the exotic pet trade are very rare and pretty much only exist in Florida. Minnesota Tiger mothers are killed and the baby kidnapped for someone's "pet". .content-container.responsive-grid, #views-exposed-form-tagged-content-person-block-2 { however, i do not agree with keeping exotic pets because of how it could change their species characteristics over time. A very well written article to perhaps support this theory whether or not the intent. Of course I thought ticket. Congratulations with your HotD! "And it's estimated that 80-90% of macaques (even "pet trade" individuals) carry the Herpes B virus, which is fatal to humans.". THAT is irrefutable. I just hope that you don't think I am attacking your justification for owning an exotic animal, I just would like to tell you my views on why it is wrong. "If this is the case, then you should have no problem with more restrictive laws (often referred to as "bans")". I lived in California and that was horrible. If you have an exotic pet, you are most likely promoting the exotic pet trade. But the animals are dangerous because for example tigers can kill someone. I'm not trying to attack you and your opinion in any way, I just think that if you have a real attachment to your animal and love them, you should sacrifice and give them a better life in the wild. About 140 non-native reptiles and amphibians have been introduced to Florida. i can't even so nasty. Oftentimes the breeders even have pedigrees for their animals. The term "exotic" doesn't have a set definition, but it usually refers to a wild animal or one that's more unusual than your standard dog or cat. 2. If someone you know owns an exotic pet, make them aware of the dangers. You Are Helping Greedy People Make Animals Extinct ! Common exotic pets that can be kept responsibly include pocket pets, such as rabbits, Guinea pigs and hamsters, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians. He asked for a picture with her and with us. 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. Anyone that says a cat living indoors is completely different from a sugar glider, anole, gerbil, or parrot living indoors is incorrect. Someone is saying an animal makes a good pet doesnt make that information credible.. The NRA and proper hunting license management\enforcement. Learn about the rules and regulations, as well as which animals are banned as pets. Additional legislation wouldn't even be necessary to deter the average exotic pet owner from purchasing poached animals due to the laws already in place. And it's estimated that 80-90% of macaques (even "pet trade" individuals) carry the Herpes B virus, which is fatal to humans. I don't think there is anything wrong with keeping cats. Removing it from its natural environment will not change the instincts that have been bred into the animal. Needless to say I have never been to California. The wild relatives of domesticated cats aren't tigers and lions, This is a wildcat, and not much has changed. (At the time I had a Female ferret name Jezzabell who was 8 years old at the time) And wanted to go on a cross country road trip. At this point it's our job to take care of them. The same things happen in the exotic pet trade, and that is why exotic animals sometimes bite or are otherwise mean. But these arent the only animals to watch out for. 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. 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. Other states require simple permitting of the exotic animal, while 21 states completely ban dangerous exotic animal ownership (big cats, bears, wolves, primates, and some reptiles). The reality is, taking exotic and unusual animals out of their natural habitats can inhibit their health and reduce chances for survival. In actuality, the same conflicts that exist for exotic pets also exist for domesticated animals. As I've stated, not even zero incidents would be enough to please lawmakers. We build large, resource-consuming homes that we dont need on top of the homes of hundreds of other animals. i wholesomely thank you for creating this article. font-size: 1.5rem; The thriving industry is worth over $15 billion a year. Pot-bellied pigs, camels, and llamas are some examples. As for occupational or personal risk, high-risk extreme sports are similar to situations where people choose to interact with dangerous animals. I understand what Melissa is saying however I was talking about the impact exotic animals have on our eco system. 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. Especially if the animal is well cared for. Most cats, aside from uncommon pedigree cats like Persians, hunt on their own, VERY WELL, eliminating native species due to it. Exotic pets do not harm the environment any more than domestic pets. 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. I think my selfishness level does not exceed that of most modern people. Exotic pets can cause a serious amount of damage, but well get to that shortly. Tigers are pretty easy to breed, and therefore anyone can achieve it. Texas A&M University | Kalaichelvi Panchalingam from PETALING JAYA on May 07, 2014: The ideas are good but when we look at the issue from the point of the animal, things take a different turn. Also, it steadily increased between 19902017. Selfishness is inherent to every organism. Blue says that owners should consider the source through which they obtain their pet when getting any animal, exotic or not. I told them I didn't know I couldn't bring her and that I we would turn the car around and not enter, but they called the state trooper. "Exotic" often refers to a species which is not native or indigenous to the owner's locale, and "pet" is a companion animal living with people. 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. You love them, do n't think there is anything wrong with keeping cats trade are rare... 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