Position on keeping wild animals or hybrids as exotic pets

Genesis 1:20-27

20 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

 24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, ^[b] and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

 27 So God created man in his own image,  in the image of God he created him;  male and female he created them.

 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society

 

I can’t imagine a life without animals. Animals are more than ready to be our friends and our teachers if we choose to share our lives with them.   It is natural for us humans to want to befriend animals and bring them into our homes - we’ve been doing it since our beginnings.  The relationships we share with animals can touch us and make us better people.  It is an honor to have animals depend upon us and a responsibility we must stay committed to when we decide to bring one into our life. 

As the fox told the little prince, "To me, you're still nothing more than a little boy who's just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you I'm nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you'll be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world

Position on keeping wild animals or hybrids as exotic pets:

Through watching people’s experiences over the last few years, I have come to the realization that wild animals and hybrids are not suitable as pets for everyone. While the allure of sharing your life with a beautiful and magnificent wild animal is quite fascinating…the reality is that these animals are wonderful in specific settings, but should not be expected to fill the exact niche as our family pets who have spent tens of thousands of years being domesticated.

I believe responsible people should be allowed the right to keep the animal of their choice if they are able to provide for the animal appropriately. I respect other people’s opinions on this issue, so I don’t expect everyone else to accept my views, but I hope I can share some of what I have learned to help educate prospective first timers about the realities of living with wild animals.

Some serious points to consider about keeping these animals:

Vaccines. Due to the lack of scientific testing of rabies vaccines on wild animals, wild animals and hybrids are not normally given the same protection under the law that their domestic counterparts receive. There is no accepted quarantine period for a captive wild animal or a hybrid if it bites a human or someone’s pet. Even when an apparently healthy wild or hybrid animal maintained in a closed environment for its entire life just barely nips someone enough to break the skin, it can mean immediate euthanasia for the animal and sending the head in to a lab for testing.

Shelters. Ending up in a shelter for an exotic pet may mean a quick death sentence as many shelters will refuse to house such an animal. And it is sad to see how quickly a wild cat or wolfdog needs a new home when his owner must relocate to another state for work where the animal is not permitted. Wild predators have high prey drives and the neighbor may not care to understand why his yippy little dachshund was devoured, nor will the authorities be compassionate if a visiting child gets injured.

Too few people really understand and respect the needs of these magnificent creatures and they fail to realize the commitment it is going to require before they decide to bring that cute furry baby home.

Safety. As wild animals or hybrids mature, they can easily become overwhelming for many people, even for the people that did extensive research and are sure they are up for the challenge. To be able to co-habituate successfully with wild animals, people must learn to meet the needs of the animal without expecting more from the animal than it is willing or able to give. And even with the best laid plans and the right intent, disasters can still occur. It only takes an instant for things to go wrong. While the animal may be ready to romp and play the next moment, often humans aren’t quite so ready to forget.

Breeding. While I knew much of this before I decided to share my life with exotic animals, it didn’t quite sink in until I bred a few litters and placed animals with others. There are people that do wonderfully living with these animals and are able to provide great lives for the animals in their care, but my success ratio at finding good homes for my babies was far too small. Sadly, I discovered that many people consider animals to be disposable when the experience isn't quite what they expected or their life situation changes. I also learned that the negative results experienced by inadequately prepared or non-committed owners adversely affect responsible owners, providing ammunition for those who have dedicated themselves to spreading anti-exotic propaganda to influence public opinion for their agenda of eliminating all ownership of exotic animals by private individuals. To top it off, raising healthy, happy babies - domestic or wild - is hard work and is very time consuming, better left to people with plenty of knowledge and years of experience.

For those people who decide they are ready to bring a wild animal or hybrid into their life:

Commitment. I urge you to do your research, and be willing to make the same type of commitment that most people are willing to make to their children. All animals, especially exotics, need proper socialization, consistent training, and lots of love. If they develop a certain habit or attitude that doesn’t fit in with your lifestyle, you need to adjust your training or lifestyle to meet their needs.

Obligation. If you get to a point you feel overwhelmed and are ready to give up, get outside advice on how to make things work with the animal before deciding to dump it off on someone else. Exotics bond strongly to their people and often don’t do well when forced to be re-homed. Experienced owners are usually willing to share their experiences and give advice when someone needs help with a problem.

Responsibility. States have varying laws regarding ownership of exotics. Don’t just believe what you hear from breeders or owners…please check for yourself. Contact your state’s wildlife department to find out what species are allowed and what permits may be required. Always look up the applicable laws yourself so you see it in writing. And make sure to check with your county and city ordinances, as sometimes they are more restrictive then state laws.

Make sure you have obtained all required permits before importing an animal into your state. Don’t bring an animal into a situation where it can be confiscated by authorities for being held illegally.

Deeanna Croasmun, president PPWP & HG, Inc.

For more information on Responsible Exotic Animal Ownership please visit www.rexano.org

 

HOW COULD YOU?
By Jim Willis 2001

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad", you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?"- but then you'd relent, and roll me over for a belly rub. My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your home comings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.

Then human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."  As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch-because your touch was so infrequent-and I would have defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog", and you resent every expenditure on my behalf.

Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her."   They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your sons fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked..."How could you?"   They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you-that you had changed your mind-that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared,.... anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, obviously to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As in my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?" Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said "I'm so sorry."

She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself-a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

The End

A note from the author:

If "How could you?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly owned pets who die each year in American and Canadian animal shelters. Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for noncommercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice.

Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious.

Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage adoption.