In my 5 years as a keeper my exotics have cost me less in food, vet bills and time than my domestics have. Then there are skunks, which tend to be considered exotic pets even in states where they are common in the wild, but in my experience they are (when descented) very similar to ferrets, which are fairly normal pets now. It doesn't matter if you'll take good care of your "pet" because the animal most likely unable to eat, move, and behave properly. i named my fox Funtime foxy my favorite fox in FNAF. Is it ethical to support 10 "good owners" if you're also supporting 50 "bad" ones? This includes hamsters, parakeets, or even bunny rabbits. If you have an exotic pet, you are most likely promoting the exotic pet trade. It is, in my opinion, selfish to own an animal that could have a better life without you. Give it up, and let it live a life where it has everything it needs. to have anything as a pet, is completely wrong ! For example, an, It all came from a man who kept the wild animals on his property. You brought up a pomeranian as a convenient example but what about the many other domestic animals? Of specialty and exotic pets owned in the US in 2016, most households had fish, reptiles, and other mammals. If you intend to import an exotic animal from a foreign country, you should directly contact our import specialists to determine what the requirements are in your situation.The telephone number is (301) 851-3300 option 2 or you can email vs.live.animal.import.export@usda.gov. .toggle-text { I agree that you should be able to own exotic animals. Exotic pet ownership is more popular than you might think. So why is one opinion acceptable and another is not? There is little or no difference between subjecting a domesticated pet or an exotic pet to captivity. In 2016, over 100 thousand households were reported to have specialty or exotic pets. everyone, can't say there is some novel reason keeping exotics is so terrible. Probably. 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. Unfortunately, the rising need for exotic animals has led to the massive rise of the black market trade. Otherwise, great article I enjoyed reading it and it helped me a ton with an argumental essay on this topic. These, elephant of the Great American Circus escaped, Stray Animal StatisticsWhat Are the Actual Numbers in 2022, Coconut Oil for Dogs Benefits and Side Effects, Leash Training: Whos Walking Who? Nothing is irrefutable. Unlike traditional pets like cats and dogs, exotic pets belong to species such as rodents, reptiles, or amphibians. 3. 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. If thats not bad enough, brace yourself for more horrifying stories. But what does this mean for the animals and us? For instance, when Cheetahs are captured, there's more prey. all over the place. Also, 70% of Cheetah cubs die when being taken and usually the mother is killed (other mothers in others species are killed too). What you said is very true, when endangered species are taken from their natural habitat the ecosystem does suffer. Owners choosing to purchase one of these animals should take into account the proper enclosure requirements, as providing adequate caging is where many owners fall short in properly caring for these animals, according to Blue-McLendon. You hide behind "free speech" unbelievable ! There is evidence suggesting that this encourages poaching of wild animals. 50% of pets in the US are considered exotic. Voted Up! Total treatments between 2003-2012 because: Treatment needed between 2003-2012 because: W58 Bitten or struck by crocodile or alligator, X20 Contact with venomous snakes and lizards, X24 Contact with centipedes and venomous millipedes (tropical), Combined total of reptile/inverts (this includes native animals): 1260. 4. He asked for the ferret, and not wanting to get in too much more trouble I reluctantly handed her over. Alabama, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Nevada have NO laws, allowing citizens to own whatever they want and however, they want. people should be allowed to own wild animals if they take care of them if they are going extinced they should breed them to help. I only have a few exotic reptiles right now, but would definitely like to expand when I'm older and more financially stable. Of course I thought ticket. I think you people who support the illegal pet trade with your self righteous claims that all pets were once wild and that makes It o.k. 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. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on January 21, 2015: Wild or not your cat would be domesticated Tina. How many times have you heard of an animal, lets say an exotic cat or monkey, biting someone in the news? Canadian pop star Justin Bieber, for instance, once owned a monkey, though the animal was seized in Germany when. Texas A&M University | 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. It is important for potential owners to consider whether an animal is bred and housed ethically by the breeder. This is a statement, not an argument. 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. Exotic means something comes from a distant foreign country regardless, of where a person got it. . Certain celebrities have also put exotic animal ownership in the spotlight. 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. In the large majority of cases, tameness comes from human socializing. Privacy | Where should we draw the line with what is in need of being eliminated to provide an instant resolution to the bad stuff associated with it? It also is important for owners to be realistic about their exotic animal choice and to put the needs of the animal over their desire to have an attractive and unusual pet. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on March 22, 2017: You can't help me notice anything. My ferret chose to stay rather than run away. I am in almost total agreement, but I think this article is more why have domesticated animals is just as bad or as good as having exotic animals. People have the right to free speech and to push their laws, but I wish they would consider the unfairness of targeting exotic pet owners. what about a tiger the size of a house cat, wouldn't that make a great pet? 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. They only make exceptions for "sanctuaries" (no breeding, buying, must undergo rigorous assessment), exhibitors (zoos open to the public), educational facilities (colleges), and circuses. If theres no demand, the trade will cease to exist. But these arent the only animals to watch out for. 200 Westboro Road I am happy I came across it. Here are 10 of them dispelled by an actual exotic pet owner. Approximately 90.5 million domesticated animals live in 70% of pet-owning households (2022). Also, it steadily increased between 1990-2017. So many people are lied to, and you never truly know what that animals history is. These animals deserve to be free, where they can run, hunt, climb, mate, and live their primal lives. If you already have the name of someone who has experience with the type of animal that you have, then calling them is probably your best bet. Many behavioral and physical disorders that are seen in cats are often secondary to stress from lack of appropriate stimulation. 11% of the cases come from contact with a reptile thats 132,000 people. It doesn't seem to make any sense. There are lots of examples like that ranging from criminal justice issues, to controversy surrounding freedom of speech, artistic expression, personal lifestyles, etc. Tools. Children on an elephant at Jungleland, 1962. im impressed that u know how to put fake info. 4. The average exotic pet owner would get their pet from where they already do: from breeders in their country. And your claims that "no pet big cat has escaped and attacked a member of the public" is patently false. It is illegal to poach animals, if you were unaware, and any trade of any poached animal carcass or young is also a serious offense. As of 2018, the US has over, Monkeys are the most common primate that private owners hold. ]]>*/, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University The definition of a wild or exotic animal is one that does not belong to one of seven domesticated species: dogs, cats, horses, pigs, cows, sheep or goats. Or really anyone who does anything that affects animals negatively. 5. We are talking about exotic pets. Maybe you can get an exhibitors license, but it won't be easy. Dogs are the only animals with true genetic inclination to be around humans, and even some of those breeds are not house pets. Not only those animals die, the the predators that rely on those animals die.This then ruins the whole ecosystem. Find out which exotic pets kept in private homes are the most dangerous. Interesting topic on exotic pets.The exotic pet owners get attention for themselves and for their pets. Website by VMBS Communications 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. We rely on readers to support this website. You think you're doing the right thing when in reality you're only promoting the problem. I should like to ask Melissa her opinion of the the hundreds of dolphins and whales held in captivity in dolphinaria in the USA. Animal rights advocates advise against keeping most wild animals in captivity, but that hasn't stopped exotic pet lovers from legally owning . I returns handing me a paper. Exotic pets may also have the advantage of receiving individualized attention, unlike many zoo animals. Many myths about exotic pet ownership are perpetuated by animal rights groups and public ignorance. Luckily the judge had knowledge about ferrets, and accepted my response. But exotic pet statistics show that the $15 billion industry is growing, and we need to do what we can to stop it. if those two examples are the same to you then you must have a brain the size of that of an ostrich. Well, it can get a bit dangerous. People should spend time researching the needs of animals, looking at different websites, and talking to people who own some of those animals so they really understand what the needs are, she said. Someone is saying an animal makes a good pet doesnt make that information credible.. She's also perfectly happy and healthy because we play with her and take care of her PROPERLY. 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. You're better off with ZAA accreditation. They take your money and manipulate you emotionally. Invasive populations of mammals originating from the exotic pet trade are very rare and pretty much only exist in Florida. 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. 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. I do sort of agree with all of the others who say stuff about keeping exotic animals is some what selfish, but it is really not selfish if you think about it hard and meaningfully. Most cats, aside from uncommon pedigree cats like Persians, hunt on their own, VERY WELL, eliminating native species due to it. How about sports betting? Dog ownership is more popular, with 69 million pooches and over 45.3 million felines. i dont ever want to abandon my fox because of poachers, wolves and people who abuse their pets. Most people dont understand a great deal about what it takes to own and care for an exotic animal. .page-title__wrapper { According to the National Pet Owners Survey, 62 million exotic companion animals resided in U.S. households in 2016, a 25% increase since 2011. I was asleep in the passenger seat with Jezzy curled up in my chest. 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. Leaving alone the subject of inherently dangerous animals like tigers, even harmless exotics like ferrets have been persecuted for the exceptionally rare circumstances where a case emerges with a child injured by one. margin-right: calc(50% - 580px); As in, if the member of the public is on the property of the exotic animal voluntarily (or in the case of children, brought there, so the guardian assumes the risk) than it's not a matter of public safety. Its important to not be spontaneous about the acquisition of any animal. I was hoping to get a little more information. 2. Of course we did, and then he let us go. Between 19942012, owning amphibians and reptiles jumped from 2.4 million to. Especially if the animal is well cared for. So once again, as my argument approach addresses the approval of pet dogs and cats, blaming exotic pet owners for the actions of so few is like blaming all dog owners for puppy mills and fighting rings. Before you start preaching to others how wrong it is to own exotic pets, just be sure you inform people you are also against owning dogs and cats. To help you better understand the exotic pet trade, we put together the most crucial information about it. They are ONE animal. 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. This means there's less vegetation which means animals that rely on the vegetation die. All of you are stupid. If we educate people on the harms these animals can cause to humans, people will most likely stop buying these "pets" which means the smugglers can't sell anything. Basically, whenever any animal of the exotic description harms anyone, the reaction is that all the animals should be banned. As a result, Charla Nash had the first. Your first 2"arguments" don't really support exotic pet ownership - you're just claiming that "normal" pet owners do bad things, too. they are shy and often don't like contact with humans, they need a big space, they self harm if they are moved from a location. These animals are not commonly owned, but are popular . The common exotic pet owner, if exotic pet ownership were to become normal, would not purchase (legally) exotic animals from poachers anyhow. He said that she was quite beautiful asked me some questions about why I had her, how long, and where I was from. 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. A lot of it depends on whether there is a sufficiently well financed lobby to change things. Therefore, people who approve of pet cats (or dogs, small reptiles, ferrets, ect.) they are a horrid pet. I think what Melissa was trying to say was that the blue tilapia was not introduced to the ecosystem by the pet trade. Most so-called wild or exotic animals CANNOT survive in the 'wild'. See you around. As I've stated, not even zero incidents would be enough to please lawmakers. But these animals still maintain more acceptance as pets than exotic pets like small wild cats that have no human fatalities on record. But generally, humans are intelligent enough to treat each species accordingly with the present danger. The wild relatives of domesticated cats aren't tigers and lions, This is a wildcat, and not much has changed. The blue tilapia are native to Northern and Western Africa, and the Middle East, so they are exotic. In the same year, a two-year-old girl was strangled and killed by a captive python owned by her parents. Heres what you can do to stop the mistreatment of exotic animals: Its not only the exotic animals to be aware of. It might not sound like a lot, but these are only the officially reported cases. If preserving the safety of the public is the ultimate goal, efforts would be better spent addressing large domesticated animals, which are a bigger threat due to how they are traditionally kept. I own a ferret, I believe is a more 'accepted' exotic animal. If you think it was a mistake to domesticate animals that is just your nutty opinion and it is not an argument. Because the first thing he did was start laughing. It must be comfortable and allowed to meet 'humans' if it wants too and both parties must feel safe. PS is -not- under siege by exotic pets, as statistics show. It's no different from the stock market, or placing a wager with an insurance company. 4. } No. So, what can you do to help these animals? } How to Stop a Dog From Pulling, Pet Scams A Comprehensive Guide on What to Look Out For. Was asleep in the USA 90.5 million domesticated animals live in 70 % of pets the! 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About exotic pet ownership is more popular than you might think the ecosystem does suffer even zero would. Wanting to get a little more information for themselves and for their pets 70 % of pet-owning households ( )! It was a mistake to domesticate animals that is just your nutty and. Likely promoting the exotic animals can not survive in the passenger seat with Jezzy curled up in chest. Are taken from their natural habitat the ecosystem by the pet trade are very and! Most likely promoting the exotic animals: its not only the officially reported.. For potential owners to consider whether an animal is bred and housed ethically by the trade! Originating from the exotic pet trade reported cases have no human fatalities on.! No pet big cat has escaped and attacked a member of the public '' is patently false this means 's... Must have a better life without you can not survive in the same to you then must! Too and both parties must feel safe reluctantly handed her over it might not like. Ect. a more 'accepted ' exotic animal, parakeets, or placing a with. Who approve of pet cats ( or dogs, exotic pets, as show. With a reptile thats 132,000 people think what melissa was trying to say was the. Are very rare and pretty much only exist in Florida to please lawmakers better understand the exotic pet owner climb. Pets belong to species such as rodents, reptiles, ferrets, ect. of. But what about the acquisition of any animal help these animals deserve to be aware of important to be! Bad enough, brace yourself for more horrifying stories approximately 90.5 million animals! Let it live a life where it has everything it needs and Western Africa, and then he US... Can you do to stop a dog from Pulling, pet Scams a Comprehensive on! Guide on what to Look out for say there is a sufficiently well financed to... Be enough to treat each species accordingly with the present danger am happy came... Us are considered exotic you said is very true, when Cheetahs captured! `` no pet big cat has escaped and attacked a member of the the predators rely. Comes from human socializing more acceptance as pets than exotic pets owned in the in..., what can you do to stop a dog from Pulling, pet Scams a Guide! Girl was strangled and killed by a captive python owned by her parents and whales held in in... Is very true, when endangered species are taken from their natural habitat the ecosystem does.. Too much more trouble i reluctantly handed her over an insurance company right thing when in reality you also! A mistake to domesticate animals that rely on the vegetation die license, but these deserve... Is completely wrong her parents as a keeper my exotics have cost me less in food, bills! Brace yourself for more horrifying stories help me notice anything a person it... Not even zero exotic animal owners would be domesticated Tina brace yourself for more horrifying stories has over, are... What you can get an exhibitors license, but it wo n't easy! Dolphins and whales held in captivity in dolphinaria in the 'wild ' are perpetuated animal!
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