By: Dr. Laurie Hess As an exotic animal veterinarian, I am constantly asked why anyone would want an exotic pet (bird, rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, ferret, lizard, turtle, snake, hedgehog, sugar glider, or other unique creature) over a dog or cat. Heres the reason why we should not keep wild animals as pets they can kill you as well as bring diseases such as rabies, salmonella and Herpes B virus. Conclusion. Cities and states make their own laws about which animals people can keep as pets. Exotic animals, which are unusual or rare species such as lions, tigers, and non-human primates – are nowadays kept within households as pets. Born Free's database is full of horrible and bizarre events involving exotic pets. Why Wild (Exotic) Animals should not be Pets? Reason #1: They are wild animals. Let us weigh the pros and cons of this trend, which seems to be on the rise. People should not be allowed to own exotic pets because they are hazardous and unsafe. I believe that this should be the number one reason that people should not get wild animals as pets. Fortunately, the practice is decreasing, but there remains far too many bad situations around the country. These are native animals. animals that are not domestic should not be kept as pets unless the owner has a lisicince which should only be obtanable though a series of extensive classes. In New York City, for example, residents aren’t allowed to own many types of exotic lizards or big snakes like pythons and anacondas. North American opossums are sometimes kept as pets. People cannot control exotic animals as their first instinct is to harm or kill in order to survive. Ben Williamson, programs director for World Animal Protection, says the Iowa Reptile Show in West Des Moines promotes selling animals that should not be kept as pets, but it also poses a “major threat” to people, especially during the pandemic. Small exotic pets include marsupials like flying squirrels, Chacoan pygmy opossums, and sugar gliders, as well as ferrets and hedgehogs. The novelty, excitement and thrill of owning an exotic pet can motivate some people to seek and buy such animals in order to profit from them in some way, such as meeting the need for novelty by having a ‘non-traditional’ pet (therefore setting them apart from other pet owners), or even as a source of unorthodox and unusual entertainment. We all know how special interest groups can blow things out of proportion like the nonexistent Exotic Pet Crisis. "It's just not worth the risk." Without appropriate habitats or rehabilitation, these animals will starve or fall victim to the elements or predators. Wild animals have lived for thousands of years without the direct influence of humans. Read on to find out why you shouldn't buy an exotic pet. However, instances of a pet chimp attacking its owner or a big cat mauling its keeper are not rare. Although many wild animals cannot be domesticated without hundreds of years of selective breeding, that doesn’t stop exotic pet enthusiasts from fighting to keep them as pets. But, many don’t make the connection that exotic animals sold in pet shops and online are also wild animals, just from other countries. The term “exotic pets” describes animals, usually from other countries, that haven’t been domesticated. Central Idea: Exotic animals should not be kept as pets. In light of National Endangered Species Day on May 15th, we’d like to discuss why you shouldn’t keep exotic animals as pets (if it wasn’t already obvious.) As an exotic animal veterinarian, I am frequently asked why anyone would want an exotic pet (bird, rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, ferret, lizard, turtle, snake, hedgehog, sugar glider, or other unique animal) over a dog or cat. Small non-mammalian animals such as reptiles, birds, fish, and amphibians—e.g. Why exotic animals should not be pets - Animals Today Radio. Read our positions on exotic pets and wild and exotic animals in zoos, aquariums and other permanent captivity. It ’s a Public Safety Risk Imagine you’re on a leisurely walk in your suburban neighbourhood only to cross paths with a tiger, ape, or snake. Posted: (12 days ago) why exotic animals should not be pets. Often, people buy exotic pets on a … Animal attacks. Central idea: Exotic animals should not be kept as pets.More and more people every day would rather have an exotic pet than a domestic animal.I. Welcome to our new blog by Dr. Laurie Hess!She’ll be contributing regularly on the Pet Health Network about all things exotic. Whether or not the demand has grown in the past years, I agree with my opponent that this point is trivial and has no value as to whether or not all wild animals should be banned as pets. If they are injured and not able to be returned to the wild, understandable. 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