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Animals kept as companions generally include domesticated dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, and rodents, as well as non-domesticated species such as birds and reptiles. Increasingly, however, native and non-native wildlife species (exotics) are wild-caught, captive-bred, or imported into the U.S. and sold as “pets.” These captive wild animals include non-native wild-caught animals who are imported into the U.S. and sold as pets, as well as native and non-native exotic species that are captive-bred in the U.S. specifically for the pet trade. Indeed, considerable debate remains about which, if any, may even be considered appropriate for human companionship.
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Whether dealing with a captive-raised tiger or sugar glider, the fact is they are both wild animals living in conditions unnatural to their physical, social or environmental needs. Moreover, the trade in exotic animals in the U.S. increases the risk of disease transmission to native species and can have other, more far-reaching effects on the environment.
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We also need to take protection aspects into account for “naturalized” species—those non-native wild animals that have been released or escaped and are successfully breeding and free-living in the wild here in the U.S.
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Undomesticated birds, reptiles, hedgehogs, monkeys, exotic cats, and other species are not suitable as companion animals. The pet industry’s promotion of these animals as “pets” has led to a burgeoning market that has doomed millions of them to captive living conditions that cannot possibly address their behavioral and psychological needs. Wild animals belong in the wild—not in our homes, basements or backyards.
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As a result, the numbers of these animals ending up at shelter and sanctuary facilities, being confiscated from unsuitable, unsafe, or inhumane conditions, released, abandoned or escaping, is rapidly escalating.
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Government must address the impact of undomesticated exotics with respect to their welfare and the impact on human health and join with the animal protection movement to achieve these objectives.
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Significantly strengthen and enforce the regulations governing the importation, breeding and keeping of undomesticated exotics for human companionship
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Enact and enforce strict penalties for chronic violations of facility and animal care standards by commercial importers, breeders, brokers, and individuals
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Prohibit the keeping of exotics whose spatial, social, and behavioral needs cannot be met in captivity and strictly regulate the keeping of animals whose care requirements are extremely difficult for the average caretaker to maintain
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Discourage the practice of keeping undomesticated exotics in classrooms, human care facilities, and other establishments for the purposes of entertainment, exhibit or education where the animals’ welfare is not the exclusive priority
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Formulate non-lethal solutions for the placement of (1) captive wild animals who become displaced as a result of regulatory legislation, (2) surplus animals from zoos, exhibits, and performing venues, (3) wild animals seized from private individuals
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Address the need for shelter and sanctuary facilities to accommodate captive wild animals who become displaced
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