Should People Own Exoctic Animals As Pets - Making Wild Animals Into A Pet
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Exotic Animals As "Pets"?
The terms "exotic animal" and "pet" are not one in the same. Recent events with the killer whale at Sea World have triggered a debate concerning the safety of keeping non-domesticated animals as pets. Is it right to keep an animal in captivity? Is is right to train animals for profit and if so does that justify keeping them in captivity for "educational purposes"?
Sea World has it's reasoning behind why they keep animals captive, that is educational and they raise money for research, great I guess but are the animals happy and the staff safe? Maybe yes, maybe not but people have to remember that these animals are wild, have strong instincts and have been killing and hunting since they evolved. Raising an exotic animal from a baby is not a foolproof way to guarantee that they will not turn on you and potentially kill you!
If you think about it, your own household cat or dog could turn on you at any second but they are not "wild" animals, they are our furry friends that live with us and cuddle in bed at night. Just last night my sweetheart of a dog growled at one of the cats for getting too close to his cow hoof his Dad had just given him that night. The wolf came out in our year and a half Boxer mix and I don't blame him, HE'S A DOG! Dogs still have strong instincts and they are domesticated.
There is going to be a show on Animal Planet this Sunday which will be very interesting to watch. It is about how people keep exotic animals as pets and end up dying due to the consequences of owning such animals. I'm not completely against owning an exotic animal but the welfare of the animal should always come first. People's obsessive and selfish reasons for keeping an exoctic is not justificaiton to own any animal, let alone one that is not domestic. I will continue my thoughts on keeping exotics as pets after watching this program. Until then, love your pets, just don't get upset if they bite you because they do what comes naturally to them. There is a reason why they call them animals?!
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I agree, exotic animals can be kept successfully, but it seems as though the more dangerous and difficult the exotic, the more likely that animals will end up in a selfish owner owner's possession. The reason being that if one is concerned with the animal's welfare, they won't take on an animal that is impractical for pet purposes.
'Fatal Attractions' comes on Fridays at 9PM CST. I believe this is the show you're talking about & I highly advise anyone considering an Exotic 'pet' to watch this show, especially the ones pertaining to Big Cats! I have never supported Sea World or any other venue using animals for show! I believe zoo's should only have endangered animals used to replenish their species for release back into the wild! We, as guardians of our world, need to continue educating people about the needs of the animals! They are better off in their natural environment & you are better off too!
Very good points I had not thought about and very valid. I am completely against breeding any animals for profit. I will never again buy any pet and only adopt like the last four animals we have acquired. Buying a riding horse is different because it needs to be sound so adoption is rarely an option. Being educated is extremely important in owning any animal, exotic or non for both the aniamal's well being, the owner and public at large. Being free is the ideal enviornment for any animal but probably most essential for wild animals. It is why we call them "wild" right?
Pretty open-minded thought process you have going here Chris. I believe more education is needed by people comsidering owning an exotic animal. Perhaps even some type of qualification/certification program Maybe its best only those injured or not able to survive in the wild be eligible to be adopted. Otherwise owning them creates a market for illegal capturing/breeding them. I believe they are born to be free.
dylanbmx 5 weeks ago
I agree.I have a crab and a turtle and they dont have a big cage until im about to buy one.Non domesticated animals should not be kept in cages.We already domesticated enough animals.They always talk about saving animals why dont we help are non domesticated learn to act in the wild and put them back in the wild.