Why exotic animals should be kept as pets

In my opinion, it should be legal to keep exotic pets for the following reasons:. First of all, "exotic pet" is just a term that means "non-traditional or uncommon pet", and what constitutes such is completely subjective depending on the culture. In other words, for most Americans, all animals that aren't dogs, cats, or common farm animals. This includes some "domesticated" animals. The very fact that most existing arguments against exotic pets do not clarify this reveals that people are not engaging in a rational debate, rather, they are reacting to the presence of animals that make them uncomfortable due to lack of familiarity and their own ignorance.

Exotic pets, like all pets, have different needs, and when one argues that a certain pet is "too hard to for", they are just failing to realize that not all animals are suitable for every owner. Just as most people do not have the room for a horse, doesn't mean they should be banned as pets.

The same logic applies to large exotic pets. Some exotic pets are lower maintenance than common domesticated pets, like high-energy dogs. Many people place "domesticated" animals in the suitable pet category, and "exotic" or so-called wild animals in the "bad pet" category. But some exotic pets are easier to manage than some domesticated animals—including dogs and cats.

Caring for feral cats is not unlike owning a wild cat from Africa, yet owning both is legal without question. No one seems to question the ethics of owning these domesticated animals, which could easily suffer if placed with the wrong owner. Improper husbandry is not an issue unique to "exotic pets". Domesticated pets are a bigger disease hazard than captive-bred exotic pets. Monkey pox, an outbreak originating from imported African rodents in , is the "go-to" example of disease that is often brought up by activists to prove the exotic pet trade can result in a deadly pandemic.

Salmonella, prevalent in some reptiles and to a lesser degree in even dogs and other mammals is also frequently mentioned. Just like bad husbandry, capacity to spread disease is not an issue unique to exotic pets. In fact, since traditional pets have far higher numbers, in many cases, they prove to be a bigger disease hazard.

When it comes to lethal zoonotic diseases such as rabies, domesticated pets, notably cats, are the most common pet-type animal to contract it and spread it to humans. Unlike animals that actually come from the wild, exotic pets that have been captive-bred scarcely are associated with significant disease outbreaks. While the always-accepted domesticated pet species are not only what exotic pet owners are urged to acquire instead of their preferred choice, said species are causing the environmental problems that people theorize can occur with exotic pets to an extreme degree…and very few people seem to care or want to do anything about it.

Cats have a widespread invasive presence in the environment, from Maine to California, Hawaii to Alaska. Other prominent invaders are fish and plants that do not come from the pet trade. How many people are passionate about stopping the ornamental horticulture trade? Some exotic pets that happen to be more accepted are causing big problems, although their populations are restricted to small regions within the country.

It is incredibly rare for invasive populations of exotic mammals that have originated from the pet trade to form. The only established populations appear to all be in small parts of Florida. This just again shows that people concerned with exotic pets are biased against something they perceive as unusual, and therefore wrong. Many veterinarians and vet techs specialize in exotic pets. Numerous retail stores fulfill the exotic pet niche. Many individuals begin their animal-related and STEM careers as exotic pet owners and some develop interest in the cause of animal conservation.

The exotic pet trade develops job opportunities, strengthens the economy, and shapes lives. It should be accommodated and appreciated just like any other hobby involving the natural world. There are both dangerous exotic pets and dangerous conventional pets. Tigers, being a powerful cat weighing hundreds of pounds, are dangerous. Believe it or not, your average cat would be just as dangerous if it were the same size, maybe even more. We need to stop labeling exotic pets as dangerous because it makes no sense and fuels blanket bans for all species, regardless of any valid evidence.

Most species considered to be exotic are not majorly threatened by the pet trade. Most of those that are affected are declining due to habitat destruction. The few exotic pets that are threatened by the pet trade in modern times are collected and sold in their own country, or countries that are not the U. Most of these animals are birds and reptiles, which often are more accepted than exotic mammals. Many species have been impacted from unregulated collection in the past and while their populations might have sustained permanent damage, laws were put in place to prevent it from happening in the future.

As the illegal wildlife trade is illegal and being dealt with accordingly and effectively, this is not a strong argument to have blanket bans on all species, rather, each species should be assessed individually.

The idea of someone making it illegal to own a dog or cat seems unfathomable. It is irrefutable that the ownership of these species has problems, but no activist would dare try to ban the right to own them.

They know they would be laughed out of the room, anyway. Our culture recognizes the profound need for pets. Pets have been shown to lower blood pressure and increase longevity in humans. Pets may improve mental health for some people. The benefits of pets outweigh the negatives. That special pet that makes a positive difference in one's life might not be a dog. Some people gravitate towards exotic pet species instead of conventional ones or both but are denied in most states simply because that species is not popular.

Most people agree that the substandard conditions in battery farms needs to change; yet just banning the entire industry is not what most consider to be reasonable. People need to see and understand that just because a pet happens to be an unusual species doesn't all of the sudden change its moral standing.

Exotic pets aren't "special" or unsuitable for captivity, they generally just have different needs that can be met by some people. When it comes to more dangerous pets, people should have the opportunity to acquire the rights to own them if they can demonstrate they have the means to care for it. This is especially true if the other arguments against the animal are irrational or just plain dumb, such as concerns that a sloth or a kangaroo might cause invasive diseases, habitat loss in Colorado!

These reasons have all actually been suggested. It appears that when it comes to exotic pets, people can make up any unfounded fears and ban entire groups of animals based on this alone. They do this with the assumption that the people who want to keep these animals are crazy or insignificant in some way.

They are wrong. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Question: How is a comparison between a tiger and a house cat relevant? A house cat is much larger than a tiger. Answer: Many banned exotic pets are the same size as domestic house cats or smaller.

There is no validity to the idea that all exotic pets are 'dangerous. I had a niger uromastic named simon for 10yrs andfor ur info he hated being free if you put him outside where he knew he was outside when u put him back in his tank u would npt see him for amonth he wouldnt eat orcome out of his cave he loved being owned and he was wild caught nigers dont breed in captivety he loved being held and hand feed some of u no it alls should stuff ot. Jordan: Thanks!

Most people would just get angry and double down on their beliefs so I'm glad you have the capacity to change, that is the most important quality to have. Thank you for taking your time by helping me change my view. I will admit that my view on the topic has been changed. Need custom written paper? We'll write an essay from scratch according to your instructions! Moreover, one should take into account that people who adopt exotic animals often lack an understanding of how big the animal will grow or how much it will eat.

Valerie Tynes in her work Behavior of Exotic Pets emphasizes that those exotic pets owners must consider the biological requirements and needs of their pets It should be bought in specialized stores. Human habitat does not fit for the exotic animals, and for that reason, people should think about special mini aviaries and aquariums for their pets. Client says about us Bayu, Jakarta It was very quick and professional. Your service helped me translate, edit and proofread my business document.

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Should exotic animals be kept as pets? Should the ownership of wild animals be banned? Should exotic animals be kept as pets or should the ownership of wild animals be banned? Vote in our poll and share your views and experiences with unusual pets.

Comment in our forum to raise awareness about the pros and cons of owning exotic pets. Voting results Should exotic animals be kept as pets?

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