Ownership of exotic animals

They were just sort of grouped in.  People got tired of anything, and many decided they wouldn't dump where I worked because we required a cage. That's all that prevented us from getting the huge no longer wanted boas and pythons. 

And the fancy rats that escaped periodically didn't seem to be having any problem living wild, yes they were scavenging off the store, but that would be no different from wild rats.  Wild in this sense being norway/sewer rats who largely survive off garbage and refuse from humans.  We could have easily had sewer rats move in like my local walmart. 

As far as animals in the serval range, I don't understand the appeal at all.  There are just too many lazy people who would get one as an accessory for me to think it being universally legal is a good idea.  If many humans get tired of a guinea pig would you really want them to upgrade to being tired of a bobcat??

"I think you should be allowed ownership of any animal, if you can do it right and give them what they need."
 
This sounded to me like "anyone" who can do what you mention, one need NOT be professional only "think" they know what to do. Professionals generally have some sort of study or schooling...degrees and required permits. Something that majority of people who want or even have...exotics..do not have.
 
Hence my posts.

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tell_paris_no

Tell Paris Hilton, who suddenly has an endangered and ILLEGAL kinkajou, to stop collecting exotics. I think we can safely say that her attitude isn't one of care for animals. She treats them like purses.

ORIGINAL: rwbeagles

"I think you should be allowed ownership of any animal, if you can do it right and give them what they need."

This sounded to me like "anyone" who can do what you mention, one need NOT be professional only "think" they know what to do. Professionals generally have some sort of study or schooling...degrees and required permits. Something that majority of people who want or even have...exotics..do not have.
 
Hence my posts.

 
Sorry, I did mean professionals. I'll fix it.

The most "exotic" animal I own is a Southern Flying Squirrel. I've had him for over 7 years. I love that little critter. He comes from a long line of captive bred hand raised squirrels. Now just because *I* own a SFS does not mean someone else should own one. I believe with all pets, you should only get one if you if you can properly maintain it.
 
With that said, I think it depends on the exotic animal. There's a huge difference between a SFS and a tiger. There's a huge difference between a 10ft Boa Constrictor and a Macaque. Then again for some people, they can't maintain a hamster to save their lives but have done extremely well with their Hyacinth Macaw. I believe if you're going to get an exotic, it should be a captive bred one and it should come from someone who is responsibly breeding them, is very educated about them and is very selective as to who they lace them with.  I do think some exotics should be left alone such as the big cats and bears to name a few. If anything, the only people who should own them are those who have opened up a sanctuary and rescued them. John Q. Public can't properly maintain a dog and the last thing they need is a Liger.

To argue the point in favour, I'm going to link a few articles. *Not my exact opinion.

The importance of keeping animals in captivity and breeding programs:
[linkhttp://www.exoticcatz.com/dontbanbreeding.html]http://www.exoticcatz.com/dontbanbreeding.html[/link]
This one includes the many objections of exotic pet ownership:
(I have not read it all, as it is very long)
[linkhttp://www.felineconservation.org/R3/Legal/Action/default.html]http://www.felineconservation.org/R3/Legal/Action/default.html[/link]
Article in support of eoxtic pet ownership. (particulary directed at sevrals)
[linkhttp://www.exoticcatz.com/dontbanconservation.html]http://www.exoticcatz.com/dontbanconservation.html[/link]
 
Lol meilani, I've always wondered what that grey cute thing in your signature was. []

ORIGINAL: k.m.a

To argue the point in favour, I'm going to link a few articles. *Not my exact opinion.

The importance of keeping animals in captivity and breeding programs:
[linkhttp://www.exoticcatz.com/dontbanbreeding.html]http://www.exoticcatz.com/dontbanbreeding.html[/link]
This one includes the many objections of exotic pet ownership:
(I have not read it all, as it is very long)
[linkhttp://www.felineconservation.org/R3/Legal/Action/default.html]http://www.felineconservation.org/R3/Legal/Action/default.html[/link]
Article in support of eoxtic pet ownership. (particulary directed at sevrals)
[linkhttp://www.exoticcatz.com/dontbanconservation.html]http://www.exoticcatz.com/dontbanconservation.html[/link]

Lol meilani, I've always wondered what that grey cute thing in your signature was. []

 
That be Mr. Mojo Risin(named after Jim Morrison). I just love that little furball. []
 
 

Aw, he's adorable. Looks happy and healthy, too.

The hardest and most exspensive rescue I had the pleasure to take in was a 3ft (not including the tale) 15lb Iguana.  The original owner was a 7 year old boy who the mother thought it would be a good idea to buy him this thing as a pet.  He was only 4 when she bought it for him.  At age 7 the boy had no intrest in the pet and almost left it to die, yes he was the one who was fully responsabe for the big lizard.  The mom sold it at a yard sale and the person who bought it brought it to me to see if I could help it in any way.  Instead of being a helthy bright greed color it was brown and had dry skin still attached, it had lumps on it's toes and was missing most it's tail, so I took it in.  Finding a vet for it was close to imposable, most vets don't know much about reptiles.  I payed well over what the iguana was worth just for the vitamins and meds it needed, the thing was close to being dead when I got it.  He lived for about a year with me but I could never reverse the condition he was in. 
 
That was my first resque, I was 15 years old and that started a long trend of more to follow which lead me to do volenteer work at the zoo and educate people why these animals do not make good pets.  At 16 I was the youngest docent at the zoo but at 18 I had to leave for college yet I have no regrets.  My true passion lies in entomology and herpatology but I will never buy one from a pet shop.  I love dogs and other mammals but the ones who need saving the most are the animals that are least understood.
 
Here is my latest resque, A bearded dragon found roaming someone's back yard.  I came the the conclusion it would be best for me to find a home for her instead of keeping her myself.  She is now in a great forever home with everything a dragon like her could ever need.

ORIGINAL: jeano

[linkhttp://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tell_paris_no]http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tell_paris_no[/link]

Tell Paris Hilton, who suddenly has an endangered and ILLEGAL kinkajou, to stop collecting exotics. I think we can safely say that her attitude isn't one of care for animals. She treats them like purses.

 
That's an excellent point! She collects these animals because it's "cool" and perpetuates the idea that average everyday people should own exotic animals. While I believe that certain people are qualified to properly care for these animals, there is a large majority of the public that shouldn't even own dogs or cats--much less something more exotic.
 
People see Paris Hilton with a kinkajou and want to be "cool" like her, so they will get an exotic pet. And most likely that animal will be treatly poorly and abandoned.

ORIGINAL: lokis_mom

ORIGINAL: jeano

[linkhttp://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tell_paris_no]http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tell_paris_no[/link]

Tell Paris Hilton, who suddenly has an endangered and ILLEGAL kinkajou, to stop collecting exotics. I think we can safely say that her attitude isn't one of care for animals. She treats them like purses.

People see Paris Hilton with a kinkajou and want to be "cool" like her, so they will get an exotic pet. And most likely that animal will be treatly poorly and abandoned.

Exactly. And it's the same sick ego trip people have with wolf dogs. [:@]

Wild animals belong in the wild.

ORIGINAL: jeano

ORIGINAL: lokis_mom

ORIGINAL: jeano

[linkhttp://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tell_paris_no]http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tell_paris_no[/link]

Tell Paris Hilton, who suddenly has an endangered and ILLEGAL kinkajou, to stop collecting exotics. I think we can safely say that her attitude isn't one of care for animals. She treats them like purses.

People see Paris Hilton with a kinkajou and want to be "cool" like her, so they will get an exotic pet. And most likely that animal will be treatly poorly and abandoned.

Exactly. And it's the same sick ego trip people have with wolf dogs. [:@]

Wild animals belong in the wild.

 
You can't group all exotic animal owners into one group, though. Many people raise healthy and happy wolf dogs, and many people raise happy and healthy kinkajou's.
 
 

I raise sugar gliders, and I love it!  My first pair was a rescue, my second female was bought from a friend who had lost one of his in an accident.  My younger male is a baby from the first pair.  I rescued them from a girl who was feeding them nothing but sunflower seeds...towards the end, I had at least convinced her to feed them baby food...still not great, but better than sunflower seeds.  She actually gave me the pair and two babies who I gave to a couple I know who also rescues animals.  I am VERY picky about who I sell the babies to.  Each person goes through a strict test.  I ask questions about diet, housing, and general care.  If there is the tiniest doubt in my mind they won't care for it, they don't get it.  Exotics are not for everyone.  They are time consuming, expensive, and just take lots of work in general.  I think sanctuaries are great as long as they are set up properly.  I wouldn't mind getting into the rescue of all exotics, but I will never buy one.

The really exotic animals I think that no one should own them only the zoo. It's just to dangerous for people that have no experience and just want them because they are cute or a good guard animal. They are wild animals that are not pets and need to live in the wild or a zoo where they are getting the best care they need. Especially the wild.
 
The most extoic animal I have taken cared of is Tigger and Chilli my chinchillas. Tigger will be 7 or 8 come next year and Chilli is 2. They are not the best pet since they really don't want be loved on and live 20 to 25 years some even longer. Not too many people that I know of want to commit their life with something that is going to live that long. Plus it's hard to find a vet that does exotic animals and I'm just luck I found someone that can work on my guys.
 
Tigger came from a pet store and Chilli came back to us since the family he was with was moving to an no pets allowed apartment. I ended up falling in love with the fur ball. It does get hard during the summer to take care of these guys since they will overheat if it gets over 80F so I have to keep them cool with frozen marble. It's hard work at times, but I'm commited to them and I know most of my stuff.
 
 
 
 
 
 

I think with pet quality exotics it's just like dogs if you want to pay for one then get it from a breeder who know a thing or two about the animal.  Just like puppy mills there are exotic mills who keep these animals in horrable conditions untill they are sold to pet shops.
 
Even some of the leagal pets should only be left up to the zoos to care for.  Iguana and allagators grow into large lizards and at that size can become to much for the owner to handel same with some snakes and even parots if not cared for properly.  If you want to own something that large and exotic then work (or volenteer) for a zoo or resque and if your not quilified to work at a zoo then you should not own an animal of that size to beguin with.  These animals are not domesticated and should only be handeled by the experts.