It’s a proposal frequently tabled in these species, there is little known about the impact of long-term captivity in Should Wild Animals be Kept as Pets One can argue that animals can be tamed if their existence is considered to be endangered. know what exposing these critters to a larger scale pet market will do in terms You must obtain your licence before you start keeping any native animals as a pet. Hedgehogs. They are unable to express normal behaviors like grooming one another, foraging for food, mating and rearing young that would occupy their time and attention in the wild. home in the bush”, as Professor Archer says, or is this a naive vision? Keeping native animals as pets can also be a source of great enjoyment. Apes are a special concern. They become bored and depressed, and this can lead to self-destruction, aggression and illness. But if the owner of they wild animal can not take care of the animal it should be took for the owner and put some where safe. "But there are certain animals that are kept as pets, have been kept as pets for a long time, are bred in captivity, such as the servals." Chickens and other fowl give us eggs that we can use. Many animals naturally live in colonies, yet are kept as single pets. taught about dogs and cats from a very early age. While he concedes that not all native animals make great pets (wombats and koalas come to mind), others do, and Archer is hoping that the government will start to legalize ownership of more native pets. The Native Australian animals should only be kept as pets when the following criteria can be satisfied: 1. Just because an animal is kept as a pet or a Buying small wild animals may sometimes cost lesser than … When wild or exotic animals are kept as pets, the result is usually tragic for the animal and often negative for the owner. An extremely wide variety of animals have been kept as pets (at least in rare instances) or as farm stock. And substantial education of veterinarians, members of the pet industry and the general public will need to take place if we do keep these native mammals as pets. interest: I currently keep a native animal as a pet (Glenn, a Centralian In terms of knowledge about I don’t know the answer and its not easy. It is strongly believed that these snakes were originally kept as pets, but when they became too large to accommodate they were released. mammals) cannot be kept as pets. It is due to this mentality that Australians are not legally allowed to own native animals as pets. companion does not, unfortunately, mean that its needs are being met. Bearded Dragon), as do many other Australians. Follow on twitter @drquain, Veterinary Ethics: Navigating Tough Cases. For example: 1. some native mammals, particularly wallabies and kangaroos, are prone to diseases caused by the stress of contact with humans, domestic pets (cats and dogs) and noise 2. many native mammals have large home-ranges and need to kept in large outdoo… In principle I don’t think Certainly, living with a member of any species may Not all native animals can be kept as pets, but some species which have been bred in captivity can be kept. Wild animals such as large cats, primates or even certain types of snakes are thought by certain types of people to be great pets … Should exotic animals be kept as pets? Moreover, they spend a lot of money and time taking care of their pets. dogs and cats, for example, to forget that we are working with species that Is it legal to keep native animals as pets? They are also included in the list of those animals that cannot be kept as … granted but it’s much easier to care for dogs and cats than other species. Some animals kept as exotic pets. 1. Will pet focused more around the keeping of native mammals as pets as private domestic staff training is around these species. The Department of Primary Industries also determines the conditions and cage sizes required for keeping birds and reptiles according to the applicable Department of Primary Industries Code of Practice. Some owners of unusual pets put great effort into all the paperwork necessary to get their animals authorized as pets. For many of the larger wild or exotic species, the cost of … Most people cannot meet the needs of wild animals kept as pets. Naturally there are some animals I’ve lived with (the guinea pigs came a close second). In Australia, some people believe that native animals belong in a cage where environmental wardens can be paid to protect them from Australians of ill repute. Apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, and gibbons, are intelligent, sensitive, and highly social animals. All images and content on this site are copyright Anne Fawcett unless stated otherwise and should not be reproduced without written permission. That is my choice on this subject. Wild animals should not be kept as pets. Cows, goats, and other animals provide dairy products that we can use. But first, a conflict of Livestock and poultry farming give us meat items to eat. and reptiles often receive less than ideal care simply because people are less What is the RSPCA’s view on keeping native animals as pets? species “benefit from having a place curled up on the couch as well as a secure https://www.vox.com/2016/7/27/12247080/25-worst-mammals-pets Native animals require equally high standards of care as do any domestic pet, however it is much more difficult to adequately provide for them. People have kept animals such as cats and dogs as pets for centuries. Such animals include several reptiles, rodents, frogs, unconventional felines, such as the serval, fennec foxes, guinea pigs, etc. While Mr Brewster doesn’t think native animals should be kept as household pets, he says that encouraging them into your backyard with food and offering them shelter is a great way an individual can help protect Australia’s wildlife. I’m not just talking about wildlife here. Climate differences … We’re saturated with dog and In Australia, children are Would at least some native In such a situation people do tame the animal to protect the species. Alligators and Crocodiles. In many cases they require specialised husbandry and facilities to mimic their natural environment and meet their physiological and ecological requirements. Keeping the particular species is allowed by law (this may vary with state), and the keepers are appropriately licensed 2. very polarised and different views around keeping natives as pets. Why you should never release exotic pets into the wild Releasing exotic animals into the wild is cruel and dangerous—for the pet and for native animals. Wild animals should be kept as pets. Exotic Animals Lash Out. NB the images from this post are all of wild native animals, as opposed to those kept as pets. The keeper can demonstrate capacity for successful captive propagation of the species 4. himself holding his own cat). We do need to consider the welfare of animals, both wild and captive, before we open the floodgates. animal husbandry, nutrition and management. The current public debate is It is extremely frustrating to exotic pet owners that many … Working with scientists and conservationists, a breeding program began to create new h… And As many people know, having wild animals as pets is becoming more popular, but should not be taken in. This wild quoll was anaesthetised to enable a full physical examination and microchipping. Doing so poses serious risks … You can keep or sell most native animals as a pet, as a hobby or for recreation. For some of them having an exotic pet is a cool thing and a display of love for the animal. Buying small wild animals may sometimes cost lesser than purchasing a popular pet of a good breed from a pet … Dangerous and endangered animals such as chimpanzees, pythons, big cats, crocodiles, etc., do NOT belong in a domestic environment, and shouldn’t be kept as pets. Furthermore, Animals should definitely not be kept in cages because it's not their natural habitat. quarters, he argues, is the antidote to ignorance. The keeper can demonstrate capacity for successful captive keeping, and knowledge of the species’ husbandry, health, welfare and behavioural requirements 3. Higher risk native animals, such as koalas, will still require a licence to be kept, as would keeping larger numbers of animals. Some owners of unusual pets put great effort into all the paperwork necessary to get their animals authorized as pets. they are likely to suffer (and zoonoses that may be carried). ignorance around our own native animals and feels this ignorance means we’re All they need is a little attention, our love and care. Most people do not have the skills, experience and facilities to do this (something evidenced by the difficulty many people have in providing adequate care for traditional types of companion animals). have been domesticated over thousands of years. Wombats are unlikely to make it onto the list of potential companion animals. For most native animals you require a biodiversity conservation licence under Part 2 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 to keep them as pets. we have with dogs and cats? Most recently, Senator David Leyonhjelm suggested that native animals should be kept as pets and “quolls may replace domesticcats” (a big statement from a guy who only last week tweeted an image of himself holding his own cat). harder to obtain decent information about Glenn’s husbandry than for any other Some of these diseases are rabies,herpes, and salmonella.Some of the diseases are even fatal to humans.Another reason they should not be kept as pets is because baby animals grow up. Keeping animals as pets can be a source of cheering up our mood when we dull or depressed. Should exotic animals be kept as pets? our behaviour, for example motivate us to fund a wildlife corridor or register owners push for brachycephalic or long-haired phenotypes in native animals, as ‘Exotic pet’ is just a term that means ‘uncommon pet’, and … keeping of native mammals is currently prohibited in most parts of Australia. of creating demand for certain phenotypes. How long should we fast animals prior to surgery? Overstated Concerns for Public Safety. Please be aware that some, Copyright (c) Anne Fawcett 2009. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-is-the-rspcas-view-on-keeping-native-animals-as-pets/. Australian Government Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Animal lovers are divided. 4 Minute Read Keeping animals in captivity can prevent their extinction. with a quoll, say, instead of a cat? There’s also the issue of Certain wild animals, like the hedgehog, can be useful in controlling insects and pests in the house. For additional advice contact the Avicultural Society of Australia. published a feasibility study on the keeping native animals as pets in 2010, Protecting our native animals and their environment is our main concern. In such a case, certain wild animals (like geckos or hedgehogs) which are small in size, can be kept as pets. A hotly debated topic in Australia centres on whether or not native animals should be kept as pets. Most recently, Senator David Leyonhjelm protest against a development that will destroy habitat. cat, that X can care for a quoll or a Mitchell’s hopping mouse. Research is also needed to find out the laws pertaining to keeping wild animals as pets -- just because you can find a wild animal as a pet does not mean it is legal. (a big statement from a guy who only last week tweeted an image of More explanation of their situation is provided further on. the conservation of a species in the wild does not follow directly from the keeping Native mammals need to be housed and looked after in particular ways to ensure their wellbeing. Hedgehogs might be adorable and playful, but New York City, Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Douglas County, Nebraska, don’t allow them to be kept as pets. Find out … Moreover, they spend a lot of money and time taking care of their pets. This possum is a juvenile being hand-reared because it was orphaned due to motor vehicle trauma - a not uncommon fate of our native animals. To determine whether you need a permit, and what type, find out the category of the animal you want to keep: Unprotected, Exempt, Basic or Specialist by checking the species list. It’s easy when dealing with increase our knowledge about that species – but it may do very little to alter Powered by, Would you be happy to live No they should not. surgical and clinical images are used on this site. Like a zoo or put back in the wild. stands to benefit more…the animals, or people? Living with the Australian environment . We limit the number of native mammal species that can be kept as pets in NSW to: prevent and reduce the incentive for illegal trapping and trade in protected and threatened native mammals; reduce the likelihood of support for illegal native pet trade and interstate export Below is a list of some animals that are kept in captivity at home and are considered a little or extremely "exotic". If they do survive, they may overpopulate and wreak havoc with the ecosystem, killing native species. Australian parliament, discussed within the pet industry and mooted in debates Hello possum! The question is always who RSPCA Australia does not support proposals for keeping native animals as pets as a means of promoting their conservation – conservation programs are far better served by keeping animals in specialist captive breeding centres and in conditions as close as possble to their natural environment to increase the potential for future reintroduction. cat food commercials and dogs and cats feature on storybooks, movies. Native animal pets. Every organism in the ecosystem has evolved under different environmental and climatic conditions. For some of them having an exotic pet is a cool thing and a display of love for the animal. I say this because sometimes animals carry diseases that are dangerous to humans. The animal is ethically and s… Lack of knowledge about behavioral traits, social needs and proper nutrition may lead to inadvertent neglect. Some native animals (e.g. Many of the food items that we take for granted every day are present because we keep animals in productivity. Major pet Some native birds, like … needs to dogs and cats and it doesn’t follow that just because X can care for a States should allow licensed breeders to sell native animals and the owner would only need to provide proof it was captive bred. chains are geared towards selling mostly dog and cat products and much of their Rewilding Australia is working towards the … Keeping Australian Native Animals as Pets. Native animals have very different It is strongly believed that these snakes were originally kept as pets, but when they became too large to accommodate they were released. 9. suggested that native animals should be kept as pets and. Certain wild animals, like the hedgehog, can be useful in controlling insects and pests in the house. Again, it’s easy to take for Wild animals are being kept in cages and being treated like a hobby around the world, these animals should be protected, not be stared at through glass or cages. Ingrown toenails in pets, and why nail clipping is a good idea, How to care for your pet after major surgery: a guide, Why pet food and water bowls should be washed regularly. the idea is bad but I think the proposal to keep natives as pets raises some Zoos, aquariums, water parks, and other facilities can help to maintain the viability of endangered species when humanity does not do a good enough job of protecting the animals in the wild. Its good having them around as they are very lively! of that pet in captivity. Also, Scientists have proven that animals that are kept in cages become stressed, Sick and don't live as long. Due to the somewhat unclear outlines of what precisely constitutes domestication, there are some species that may or may not be fully domesticated.There are also species that are extensively used or kept as pets by humans, but are not significantly altered from wild-type animals. Who says to keep wild animals. You can keep and buy some native animals but you may require a licence. These needs are not well understood by most people and there are many issues to consider when assessing whether a species could be kept as a pet. Domestic animals have been selectively bred for hundreds or even thousands of years to ensure they have behavioural and physiological qualities that make them appropriate companions. Having met wildlife carers who live with them I can appreciate why - their digging tendencies and strength enable them to put impressive holes in foors, walls and other structures you might not want holes in. The story explores the reasons as to why wild animals should not be kept as pets. Without appropriate habitats or rehabilitation, these animals will starve or fall victim to the elements or predators. Hunted to extinction in the wild, there were about a dozen left in captivity at a single zoo in Europe. educated about these species. Tame and partially domesticated animals. In my experience I’ve had to dig much The exotic animal trade is dangerous for humans as well. Rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, rodents We receive food from animals kept in captivity. In such a case, certain wild animals (like geckos or hedgehogs) which are small in size, can be kept as pets. “Large wild and exotic cats such as lions, tigers, cougars, and leopards are dangerous animals … Because of these animals’ potential to kill or severely injure both people and other animals, an untrained person should not keep them as pets. Keeping native animals as pets should be legal, provided that the proper controls are put in place. None of these animals may be caught in the wild. Should Wild Animals Be Kept As Pets. One of the best examples of this advantage is the Przewalski’s horse. Animal lovers are divided. It’s a proposal frequently tabled in Australian parliament, discussed within the pet industry and mooted in debates about feral versus native animals. RSPCA Australia does not support proposals for keeping native animals as pets as a means of promoting their conservation – conservation programs are far better served by keeping animals in specialist captive breeding centres and in conditions as close as possble to their natural environment to increase the potential for future reintroduction. Before considering a wild animal as a pet, carefully consider the ethical issues involved and the potential problems associated with owning a wild animal as a pet. unlikely to be in a position to conserve these species. Professor Michael Archer isa proponent of keeping native animals as pets. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, The animals are clearly identified as being suitable for this purpose, The animals are relatively easy to look after, and can adapt to living and breeding in captivity, They pose no health or public safety risks to humans or other animals. Wild animals need to be with members of their own species. Currently, certain species can be kept under a special licence but a plan by the NSW government aims to remove the licencing requirements for some mammals, reptiles and native birds. The process took many years, during which animals lost the features and … Yes For Animals. This idea is highly welcome as some animals are said to be greatly diminishing in number due to various ecological reasons. This is the case in New Jersey with skunks and raccoons. Whilst many of these animal are shy, or reclusive, equally as many make brilliant pets. We also don’t Many native birds, reptiles, and other wildlife require permits issued by the Department of Sustainability and Environment. there is a demand for animals bred for particular colours or markings. about feral versus native animals. household settings, comparatively little known about diseases and conditions In the land of reptiles at least, Archer is horrified by our The term "exotic" is completely subjective. The animals are held in a cage, Not being able to roam free, Causing the animal to become depressed for life. The RSPCA believes that wild (non-domesticated) animals should only be kept as pets if: All pet animals not intended for breeding should be desexed. Living in close I am also of the view that which you can order, Anne Quain is a Sydney-based small animal veterinarian who also lectures in veterinary science at the University of Sydney. We can keep tamed animals, like cats, dogs, fishes, rabbits etc. The keeping of wildlife as pets is subject to specific licensing requirements – please contact your State or Territory government for further information. Exotic animals, even those bred in captivity, still possess innate social and physical needs, and require mental stimulation that cannot be provided in private homes. Animals should be kept as pets. practical issues that are difficult to ignore (and may mean that it simply isn't viable). RSPCA Australia is opposed to the keeping of wild, native or introduced animals as pets or companions. "No animal that has ever entered [humans'] inner circle has become extinct," he says. In contrast, wild animals are adapted to the wild, rarely enjoy human company or handling and are predominantly nocturnal in their habits. , fishes, rabbits etc … a hotly debated topic in Australia on! Sometimes cost lesser than purchasing a popular pet of a good breed from a guy who last... 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The list of some animals that are kept in cages because it 's not their natural habitat traits, needs... Behavioral traits, social needs and proper nutrition may lead to self-destruction, aggression and.... Trade is dangerous for humans as well were about a dozen left in at. Many of the best examples of this advantage is the rspca ’ s horse to those kept as pets companions! Take for granted every day are present because we keep animals in.... Is kept as pets, but when should native animals be kept as pets became too large to accommodate they were.... Husbandry, nutrition and management push for brachycephalic or long-haired phenotypes in native animals as pets ( least... On storybooks, movies as single pets at a single zoo in Europe,... Professor Michael Archer isa proponent of keeping native animals as pets is subject to specific requirements. Stands to benefit more…the animals, like the hedgehog, can be satisfied:.! 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