i don't know if a pet snake will have as much freedom. The tiger mauling occurred because the boy and his father were visiting the big cat owner, who foolishly went to show the animals to them and opened the cage. 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. 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. Domesticated animals are overbred and many are invasive species. 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. Glendale, AZ. Cats are not tame when they are raised without human influence. An irrefutable fact is the destruction of animal habitat by humankind slowing forcing many animals into extinction. The only way to truly stop the trade is to eliminate the demand. View history. I'd like to move to North Carolina after college, where there are less laws than there are here in Ohio, and eventually get USDA/AZA registered. He asked for the ferret, and not wanting to get in too much more trouble I reluctantly handed her over. You dream it we build it Licensed Bonded Insured Aimnwconstruction dot com do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. 3. Singapore is one of the largest pet importers. A yard, a house, proper vet care, supplies, etc. Dog ownership is more popular, with 69 million pooches and over 45.3 million felines. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on February 15, 2017: Whatever: You're existing in a fantasy world. What you said is very true, when endangered species are taken from their natural habitat the ecosystem does suffer. Someone is saying an animal makes a good pet doesnt make that information credible.. Unfortunately, due to the sheer demand. Also, it steadily increased between 19902017. Not only do domesticated animals hurt people, but they kill too. .tufts-carousel { Can you own a monkey or fox in this U.S. state? Bans only eliminate problems by eliminating animals. 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. they're happiest when they are around people companions. What kind of heavily concerning zoonotic diseases do captive born genets, wallabies, servals, sugar gliders, capybara, bobcats, toucans, zebras, coatimundis, and wolves have? Also, you're missing the point. No. . 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. Circus animals are notorious for their break frees. Also, what do you keep exactly? The average exotic pet owner would get their pet from where they already do: from breeders in their country. Tags: Alice Blue-McLendon, Exotic Animals, pet talk, 2023, Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Argument 3 is pretty good, but we can't say with certainty that NO exotic pet has EVER harmed the environment. I'm fairly confident you can't. 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. To help you better understand the exotic pet trade, we put together the most crucial information about it. If you support keeping birds, reptiles, or cats as indoor pets, you already support exotic pet ownership. 75% of reptiles from pet shops die within the first year. It is a big problem, said Blue-McLendon. Ice did his best to keep Bucky under wraps, as it isn't legal to possess these animals in Florida, but Bucky broke free and caused chaos. i can't even so nasty. Common household pets also contribute a great deal to the pet trade so always ensure you find a reputable breeder. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 07, 2014: The difference is that your are proving my point. Exotic animal regulations in New Brunswick. Why do people tend to overlook this strikingly obvious fact about the nature of all pets? Exotic animals also require specialized care that may differ from the needs of more common pets. I agree with you guys about not having an exotic pet an why you guys did an good job explaining. The exotic pet trade also damages food chains and ecosystems. Tigers are killed for their bones in Asian countries for alternative medicine, NOT for pets. 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. My personal opinion is that the difference between domestic and exotic animals (referring mostly to mammals here) is that domestics are bred to want and enjoy human company whereas exotics are trained to tolerate it. If you love your dog, and you can't properly care for it, it's the same logic. For instance, when Cheetahs are captured, there's more prey. "Any animal can bite". they are a horrid pet. I hope some education will help you all. What difference does it make how they are obtained ? You cannot just buy a baby tiger and expect it to be domesticated because it has grown up with humans-- it will still experience the natural instinct to hunt, run around, find a mate, and everything else an animal does in the wild. Lets take a look. It's all linked, we should have a low tolerance for people with exotic pets, because there will always be some POS out there who wants to capitalize on the exotic animal business, and to those people it doesn't matter how many have to suffer in order to make a living. The presence of wild-looking spots still unnerves most people more than rowdy dogs kept loosely confined in backyards. 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 noticed some things about your argument that are plain untrue and I would like to help you notice this. I saw in another article that you didn't believe that bears could be properly kept by private owners. I learnt new things here. But generally, humans are intelligent enough to treat each species accordingly with the present danger. Exotic animal bedding and cages cost between 500 and 8,000 dollars on average. Needless to say I have never been to California. but there is a lot of pets that will either be too dangerous, too difficult, too big or you will simply kill as you cant give them the correct nutrients they need. The idea that a tiger wants to kill you every chance it gets is just ignorance. These animals are tortured and kept cruelly for our enjoyment. Domesticated cats are probably the most popular animal kept as pets on Earth, and at least within the USA, it is a common practice to keep cats exclusively as house pets, which is a practice (intelligently), promoted and recommended by many vets, animal rescues, and animal rights organizations for the safety of the cat as well as outdoor wildlife. As a result, Charla Nash had the first. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 27, 2015: "How about sports betting? width: 100%; Many indoor cats have behavioral problems, weight gain, and neurosis as a resultwhich is not unlike what occurs with inadequately cared for exotic pets or zoo animals. Blue says that owners should consider the source through which they obtain their pet when getting any animal, exotic or not. In fact, considering their extreme popularity, it can be argued that domesticated animals may be worse off. In 2016, 13.3% of households were estimated to have specialty or exotic pets, a 25.5% increase from 2011. The NRA and proper hunting license management\enforcement. ? But dogs and cats bite too. I just named a slew of exotic animals that are no more disease-ridden than dogs and cats yet when talking about disease, everyone wants to talk about macaques. A pet jaguar in Belize escaped in 2010 and killed the neighbor of the owner. This is a statement, not an argument. Smuggling parrots and reptiles is illegal. 1. (And duh its obviously better than killing them). The thriving industry is worth over $15 billion a year. The reason people may be saying this is to salvage any possibility that their beloved animals won't nonsensically be made illegal. And then to top it all off, we keep millions of human-engineered carnivores that must subsist on the deaths of other animalsbut if I pick an uncommon pet, all of the sudden I am viewed as extra selfish. I did show up to court with my ferret, and thankfully the case was dropped after I explained that my ferret was no filthier than anyone else walking their dog. April 9, 2021. You are saying two wrongs make a right. In actuality, the same conflicts that exist for exotic pets also exist for domesticated animals. Exotic pet owners keep exotic pets for the same reasons that domesticated animal owners keep domesticated pets, which is the hope of a symbiotic relationship with their creature of choice. In most states, many exotic animals are not allowed to be owned as pets, period. Is keeping exotic pets selfish? Accessibility | Breaking free is one thing, but animal attacks are quite another. Dogs are the only animals with true genetic inclination to be around humans, and even some of those breeds are not house pets. Louisville, KY. Exotic pet ownership statistics show that the pet trade imports 70% of them into the country. 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. Anyways, now if kids want to pet him I ask them to ask their parents. i named my fox Funtime foxy my favorite fox in FNAF. Personally there is not much of a difference between exotic and domestic animals. Parrots have their beaks and legs tied so they can be packed together like tuna and shipped. See you around. Liked by New York State for Exotic Animal Ownership. About 140 non-native reptiles and amphibians have been introduced to Florida. Suggestions for future topics may be directed toeditor@cvm.tamu.edu. The exotic pets market is growing. Servals aren't typically aggressive, but they can be difficult to own as they are still considered "wild." 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. Basically, whenever any animal of the exotic description harms anyone, the reaction is that all the animals should be banned. More than 13% of households in the United States own at least one exotic animal, and that number continues to rise as people look for new, cool exotic pets to bring home. 7 Southern Pig-Tailed Macaque Monkey Photo credit: Hectonichus Monkeys may not sound like the most dangerous animals in the world. It doesn't mean that we should do it to other animals. i have noted down all your points for a debate at university. More and more veterinarians are willing to see some non-domestic animals, such as pocket pets.. But no cat is built to live inside a house (consider learning more about proper indoor enrichment). The laws regarding exotic pet ownership vary by state. So why is one opinion acceptable and another is not? Customers praise its products and how theyve, Coconut oil for dogs has become popular among dog owners who want a more natural and holistic approach, Is leash training your puppy essential? 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. Dr. Alice Blue-McLendon, a clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and director of . And out of those attacks, only 1 out of 147,717 attacks is likely to be fatal. I think my selfishness level does not exceed that of most modern people. The Burmese python is the most popular animal that people complain about; however, despite the severity of the nuisance, its presence is restricted to one region in Florida (they cannot survive in most states). I don't mind people taking care of abandoned animals etc or maybe an exotic animals somehow decide it likes you and wants to stay but. I do plan on having a small, responsible, licensed zoo after college. In fact, it is humans that have invented the concept of selfishness and have set criteria for attempting to avoid the poorly viewed attribute while no other animal has. There were 91 incidents of death by exotic pets between 19902021. The incident happened . You made amazing points and your article was very helpful. i love foxes i even have one sleeping in my gaming section where i do youtube vids my fox is the best shes very fast and she likes to play outside. however, i do not agree with keeping exotic pets because of how it could change their species characteristics over time. I'd love to be a domestic cat; they don't have to worry about anything. Despite the small number of bad scenarios involving exotics, people still hold exotic pet owners, as a whole, 100% responsible for every incident individual owners cause, but dog owners are never blamed for attacks and fatalities caused by other dog owners (this means that there would have to be zero exotic pet-related incidences in order to ease peoples fears, and sometimes even that isnt enough!). Exotic animals are different from regular animals in that they are not kept in the same environment. And while 4.7 million dog bites occur each year, there are anywhere from 70-80 million dogs in the country, meaning there's only a 5.8% chance of you being bitten by a dog. Salmonella affects about 1.2 million people in the US each year. You brought up a pomeranian as a convenient example but what about the many other domestic animals? Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. 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. The exotic pet trade is cruller than you realize. He asked for a picture with her and with us. Lack of excellence in selflessness leads many people to believe humans are the scum of the Earth, despite no other animal even taking a monk-like lifestyle into consideration. Her cat Pumpkin enjoys stretching out in the office while mom researches the best information on how to care for their fellow furry friends. It was a mistake (or maybe not) for domesticating them long long long ago. TLDR: Poaching of endangered species is bad but does not justify a blanket ban on anything that is not a cat or a dog. Without contact with a variety of wild and domestic animals, I think we, as a nation, would lose our appreciation for animals and the natural world. I agree that naturally, a dog is able to bite just as much as, say, a monkey. She believes in treating animals with the devotion and respect they deserve. 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. Find out in this article. Thats why products like the wireless dog fence exist. But its not just physical attacks we should be wary of. 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. 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. It's no different from the stock market, or placing a wager with an insurance company. Thank you for reading this. Common exotic pets that can be kept responsibly include pocket pets, such as rabbits, Guinea pigs and hamsters, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians. Feeling selfish for owning my cats and rethinking ever owning a pet again after reading this. Owning an exotic pet comes with a whole lot more responsibilities. No one can give you a, Many HempMy Pet reviews recommend this companys CBD oils and treats. 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. Lets explore more information on exotic animals as pets and their statistics. Jungleland USA. Banning the ownership and breeding of these animals will solve these problems! Minnesota Exotic pets do not harm the environment any more than domestic pets. Lets explore the chances of your pet escaping. Don't like hunting for sport and would prefer much better gun control. } For my senior trip in high school. I am happy I came across it. A lot. Exotic pet owners keep exotic pets for the same reasons that domesticated animal owners keep domesticated pets, which is the hope of a symbiotic relationship with their creature of choice. If you truly love animals, you'd want them to be able to live in a world where they are free to do as they please. 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. There are also problems with the trade of all animals. Dogs, for example, have had 30,000 years of certain breeding to domesticate them. 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. 5. however, leopard geckos bearded dragons, crested geckos, skinks, corn snakes, king snakes etc. Only some dogs, some of which are unethically incapacitated through breeding (bull dogs, pugs) need human help to breed and survive. Keeping in mind that lack of being more damaging than another type of animal is not by any means meant to be taken as an attempt to make light of the negative environmental impact that some of our pet-keeping decisions are responsible for, the most popular pets in America that are recommended as moral alternatives to exotic pets are indeed the most damaging to the ecosystem. All I can say is that dog and cat supporters, i.e. Nature is tough enough for animals without luxury pets going on killing sprees. 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. Anyway, there was a huge fire. "Any animal can bite". thanks for having this article it helps me for my school presentation. If thats not bad enough, brace yourself for more horrifying stories. the picture up the page is of a genet. Cats have been domesticated for a lot less time, and I feel extra strong about what I am about to say because I have two 'daughters' that I love with my entire heart. Exotic pet ownership is more popular than you might think. Also, 70% of Cheetah cubs die when being taken and usually the mother is killed (other mothers in others species are killed too).