:: Sentenced for Life ::

Euthanasia | Abandonment | Exotic Pets

Exotic Pets: An Appalling Reality

Chew on this...

Just in the past decade, there has been a shocking increase in families choosing an exotic animal for a pet.
The exotic animal trade is a multi-billion dollar industry.
Families choose animals such as lions, African pygmy hedgehogs, armadillo, chinchilla, tigers, cougars, bears, monkeys, wolves, alligators, exotic reptiles, and a variety of venomous snakes for pets.
Exotic animals are unpredictable and cannot be domesticated.
Exotic animal related incidents have increased in the past decade - maulings, outbreak of diseases, and new charges of animal abuse.
Many exotic animal attacks are fatal, with children being the primary victims.
There are about 5000-7000 tigers kept as exotic pets; this is more than the number of tigers living in the wild in Asia!
Captive exotic animals develop numerous behavioral problems that we will never see in the wild.

Can't stand the abuse?

Here is what you can do.

Do not buy exotic animals as pets, spread the news, and discourage anyone from considering obtaining an exotic animal for a pet.
Don't patronize any stores or zoos that show exotic animals for profit.
Support legislation to ban private possession of exotic animals.
For more ideas, visit our Involvement Center.

Who is Carly?

The story of Carly is real; Carly has been living in The Primate Sanctuary, a 186-acre sanctuary, in San Antonio, Texas since December 2004. Carly was adopted by our team and we raise and send money annually to care for Carly. Carly was confiscated by animal control officers in Nevada, before she was moved to Texas. Carly lives with 400 other animals (macaques, baboons, and vervets) in her new home with very little human interference.

Photo courtesy: The Primate Sanctuary, used with permission

Carly with her new friends
at the sanctuary

References

Interview with Sue G, exotic pet owner, New Hampshire.
Animal Protection Institute