Pets can enrich our lives with pleasure and companionship. Not all animals are suitable to be kept as pets. Many people have a desire to have wild or exotic animals as companions, thinking that they would be able to offer new experiences. But it is a fact that this practice can pose serious dangers to both the animals and the owners.
The following blog will help in projecting the different risks associated with keeping illegal animals as pets. Learn what hazards you could be opening yourself up to with this idea of keeping wild and exotic animals as pets.
Legal Risks
The biggest risk associated with illegal animals kept as pets is the legal complications that come with them. The ownership of wild and exotic animals is governed by various laws passed by many states and countries, all in an attempt to protect the animals and the public.
There are numerous reasons behind these laws:
- Public safety: Wild animals can be very unpredictable and dangerous.
- Animal welfare: Most people are incapable of properly addressing the needs of exotic pets.
- Ecological safety: If exotics escape, they may pose a threat to local ecosystems.
Finally, always check for local laws regarding exotic pets. Violations in raising illegal creatures are punishable under the law, which includes fines and even imprisonment.
Health Risks to Humans
Exotic pets can be a natural host for several diseases that can be transferred to and affect humans. Some of these diseases are really serious:
- Salmonella from reptiles
- Herpes B virus from monkeys
- Rabies from various mammals
An animal may appear perfectly fine, yet it may harbor some deadly bacteria or viruses. Regular vet check-ups are essential, but they are expensive as well as difficult to find when it is an exotic breed.
Concerns for Animal Welfare
Wild animals have special needs that cannot be provided at home. Let us take a glimpse at such challenges:
- Diet: Most exotics have diets that are hard to provide in a home environment.
- Space: Large animals like big cats require more space than any but a few homes could provide.
- Social needs: Some species are highly social and suffer when kept alone or away from their kind.
- Enrichment: Wild animals need mental stimulation to be healthy and happy.
Failure to satisfy these needs may lead to stress, illness, and behavioral problems in the animal.
Impact on Wildlife Populations
There is also a dark side to the exotic pet trade. Many animals are captured from the wild, which negatively impacts natural populations. Even captive-bred animals contribute to this problem by creating demand for the wildlife trade.
Some species, such as certain parrots and primates, are threatened by the pet trade. Avoid illegal exotic pets accordingly.
Financial Issues
Keeping an exotic pet can be extremely expensive. Some of the main expenses that need to be taken into account are:
- Special housing and equipment
- Veterinary care by wildlife experts
- Adequate diet and supplements
- Property damage
These expenses can quickly add up to thousands of dollars per year.
Alternatives to Illegal Pets
If you are an animal lover, there are far safer and more ethical ways to relate to them:
- Viewing at accredited zoos and wildlife sanctuaries
- Volunteering at animal rescue facilities
- Making a difference in conservation
- Watching nature programs
- Having a more traditional pet that fits your lifestyle
This way, you get the opportunity to enjoy wild animals without the dangers and burdens of ownership.
Conclusion
While the idea of owning an exotic pet may be quite alluring, the risks far outweigh the benefits. Keeping illegal animals as pets can be very dangerous given the vast potential legal troubles, health hazards, animal welfare concerns, and environmental impacts on the list.
Instead of bringing a wild animal into your home, think of safer and more responsible ways to get in touch with nature. With informed choices, we may just save our lives and those of these great creatures here on Earth.