Should you own exotic pets ?

[MeganMango]

Megan Mango I agree with you but I wasn't referring to neglectful owners so much as the ones that do not keep them secure when introduced to an environment where there is no natural checks and balances. People will let them go when they can't handle them anymore thinking they can take care of themselves because we have a nice warm climate, or they accidently get loose. and then get fruitful and multiply. I know they have had a lot of problems with exotic species getting loose at Miami international Airport during the importation checks and establishing them selves in and around there.Hurricains have also allowed exotics to escape when the buildings were destroyed or damaged. And like I said in this climate they can survive quite nicley

I totally agree with you on this one! Lots of thoughtless people even release animals when they get bored of them or no longer want the responsibility.

 

[RisingSun]

I'm surprised how many votes were for against keeping exotic animals. Maybe many of the people who voted do not realize that many if not all companion parrots are considered exotic.

 

[Abigal7]

As with so many conservation related issues there isn't a clear cut answer. (Which i guess makes it a good debate question as there are many angles).
I agree with many things said previously, and could probably write more than would fit here if i tried to fully explain my standpoint, so i will just try to build on what others have said (and much more eloquently than i could have).

I disagree with taking animals from the wild when it is not necessary (especially if it is disruptive) from a conservation perspective. However as bred pets i do not think a lot of them are doing that much harm. And it should be noted that MANY places all have legislation and licensing programs covering the proper housing and purchase of exotics.

One point i would like to add to the discussion is that People can say that escaped exotics will destroy the natural system in the new location they now have open to them, but feral cats (whether they be abandoned or born feral for generations) as well as feral dogs are a MUCH bigger issue in Australia than other species more generally considered 'exotic' (out of animals that are here as a result of the pet trade i mean). The simple number of individuals it would take to escape and form a feral population compared to the probability of individuals finding each other and an appropriate habitat to breed makes it unlikely that a pest species will emerge overnight without some serious breach of legislation somewhere (yes i know you can argue that the misdeeds of a few can add up quickly, especially when it comes to humans).
However I think from this perspective the spread of disease through these animals is more of a threat than the actual invasion of foreign species by FAR.

I agree that feral cats are a problem. And as a dog lover it is cruel to throw dogs out in the wild. Feral cats do destroy the ecosystem since cats like to kill. What upsets me is how some people think their cats need to go outside or will not at least supervise or have them in a non escapable outside habitat. It is sad to hear cats owners online say it is their nature, a cat will be mean or unhealthy if it is not a outdoors a outdoors cat. As aliray already pointed out Florida has a problem with exotics which are lose for many reasons. Could we blame Florida if they became strict or if Hawaii went so far as not to allow cats? Since parrots have high value the chance of someone setting their bird free is slim. Reptiles are usualy cheap. Whether good or bad in my area any unwated reptile that somone did not want and which they could not rehomed would probably be put outside during the winter (not so it would be free but so it would die.)

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I'm surprised how many votes were for against keeping exotic animals. Maybe many of the people who voted do not realize that many if not all companion parrots are considered exotic.

All parrots are exotic.

I voted no for a very important reason, few people are equipped to deal with parrots and so many suffer. Shelters are filled to the brim with neglected birds. We love our birds so much, but imagine if parrots were never taken into the pet trade(pet trade doesn't include breeding facilities to help wild populations). If parrots were only purchased form amazing breeders(no pet store birds) and every owner truly new how to care for a bird it would be ok, but people don't.

I would never dream of parrots breeding to be banned, or for it to be illegal to own one. I just wish we never took them out of their natural habitat to begin with.

 

[Birdlover11]

I am talking about ALL exotic pets in general , pets that are NOT do domesticated by man. Agree , it was wrong of man to take birds from the wild in the first place. Then we wouldn't have the pet trade begging for animals . Tigers and lions should definatley not be owned. That was the story for the debate how a teenage girl sleeps with a year old Bengal tiger. I know it was probably a debate about keeping a tiger as a pet but I can not stop thinking about parrots. And for you guys who say that it's stuiped and little people keep big predators, well it is VERY easy for a uneducated person to get so hypnotized to the beauty of a predator that they would buy one off the black market . Have any of you seen ASPCA animal cops and in how many episodes where the horder owns bears,lions , tigers, ect... ? Yes , I know that even the early dog was once considerd a exotic pet but that was when half of the specices weren't endangered. If somehow the parrot species was domesticated the problem would pretty much be fixed

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I'm afraid of monkeys/apes, I feel strongly that they shouldn't be pets. Apes are especially strong and when raised by people don't know how to express aggression. Rather then show aggression and warn you they will attack. It's even worse that cute baby chimps are used in movies and films rather than the powerful adults.
Wild cats shouldn't be pets, it's simply unsafe. same with all large predators. At the same time, I know someone with a pet timber wolf who is extremely sweet and acts like a dog. But he is well educated in animals and is a professional dog trainer, plus he must have a exotic permit.

This is a great debate subject for a class, it's so controversial and everyone has a opinion.

 

[Birdlover11]

Most people said no, but not for these reasons. They said that a tiger will rip your face off or they are too expensive . Maybe I should show them this thread

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Most people said no, but not for these reasons. They said that a tiger will rip your face off or they are too expensive . Maybe I should show them this thread

You should print out a paper with bullet points of different things we said on this thread, and show it to your teacher/class. Say there was a debate online too LOL

 

[Birdlover11]

By posing the question in hte simplest of terms, your instructor has created a straw man, easy to knock over

Maheen is a CHILD.... I assume the teacher wanted to spark a conversation, NOT a heavy duty debate.

PRETEEN ! Sorry , just couldn't resist

 

[Brodie]

There are two different kinds of people in this world- people who have pets that they love, and properly care for. Then there are people who impulse but pets "oh that's a pretty parrot lets but it and we can put it in that corner in the spare bedroom, it'll look so nice, and our friends will be so impressed with our new expensive parrot" these kind of people. They will rehome, put up for adoption, or neglect this animal almost every time. It's horrible to think.
The people who do not educate their-self.

Owning any animal is your responsibility, not anyone else's to just give it away.
If responsible people own exotic animals, and they give them everything they need/would have in their own habitat, then that's fine in my opinion.

Honestly I have always wanted to own alot of land, like alot. And have a huge part of the jungle in India and have my own tiger conservation park. This would mean I would own Tigers. Although this will never happen, I just wish I could do my part, in a big way, to help tiger conservation.
On the other hand, Mike Tyson used to own 7 Tigers, the city of Las Vegas took the tigers off him because someone broke into his house and one of the tigers ripped of this guys arm. Ok yeah.. This guy was intruding, and any guard dog could react in a similar way, but this is NOT responsible ownership of an exotic pet. People should NOT be aloud to keep animals such as lions and tigers and bears as house pets. EVER. Not only is this not helping the conservation needs of endangered species, but it is also very, very unsafe for both sides.
I once watched a doco on tv about a guy who lives with wolves in his backyard. Uh.. Wow.

Another opinion of mine, I don't think breeding birds is actually a bad think. Depending on how the breeder is with selling birds to families. If I was a breeder, I would have a house visit, just like they would come to be to check the bird, I would come to them to check out their house, cage, and lifestyle, if I didn't feel they were responsible enough owners, or I didn't think the bird would fit in this perticular environment, I would not let this family take that bird home, no matter what. I think all breeders should consider this method, it's a great way to help with the never ending need for adoptions of parrots.

 

[JerseyWendy]

PRETEEN ! Sorry , just couldn't resist

Ma Bad!!! Sorry.

 

[Birdlover11]

Haha, it's okay ( hug)

 

[Abigal7]

I can not give a yes or no on this since exotic pets is a wide definition. I am against wild caught birds and as stated before I do not think large predators or deadly reptiles are pet material. I should also add primates. Another thing is if anyone can get a tiger (for example) it takes away the urgency that they are endangered. Some people will think if tigers are so endagered why are there people allowed to privately own them.

 

[Birdlover11]

hey guys , just wanted to say I'm doing a report that includes a bit of this. I'm asking permission to include your statements in my report. Ill give you guys full credit and maybe if your comfortable state your usernames. Please tell me as soon as possible

 

[Birdman666]

I love my birds, but generally speaking I am against it.

Big cats are not pets, and do not belong in someone's back yard... nor are they ever fully domesticatable...

Bears are unpredictable and dangerous.

No one needs a pet cobra, or pit viper... nor do we need them introduced into our cities...

The everglades are being decimated by the python's people just "humanely" let go... into an area where they had no natural predators to keep the population in check...

Now, apparently, people have been dumping their scorpionfish into the waters around Florida, and again, no natural predators... they've taken over entire eco systems...

It's stupid!

 

[JerseyWendy]

I am certainly ok with it. Not that I contributed all that much. :54:

 

[Thatdude596]

My vote was no but there's a string attached. We as humans should have never taken any wild exotic animal out of its habitat for out personal greed/ pleasure. Now that they are sold everywhere I feel I can give my bird the best home besides its natural habitat. They could never make it In the wild and I see to many birds in bad homes. If the person is doing there best to take care of the animal it's better than letting them back into the wild as they would often not make it

 

[Mike17]

The word exotic actually means introduced, rather that something bizarre or special. So a sulphur-crested cocky in NY is an exotic. In essence, then, the terms of the question need to be broadened. Perhaps, "is it OK to keep an animal not normally tamed, or is not tameable, under normal circumstances" or, "is it OK to keep taking animals from the wild, in an effort to build up a population of tame animals for commercial reasons, while wild populations of that species are plummetting"?

 

[kq_fan]

Well when I was trying to see if parrots are exotic pets, I found out that all pets except for horses, dogs, and cats are not and a few others. But domestic rabbits, goats, lizards, snakes, birds, and rodents are exotic! I didn't know that, so most peoples pets are known as exotic! Who'd have thought!

But if your talkin Tigers, Bears, Lions, Big cats, If you know what your doing, maybe just don't play and cuddle them!
Some tiny tiny monkeys are ok pets! AND ARE LEAGLE IN MY STATE! But.... no! Talk about 2 year olds on steroids!

 

[legal_eagle]

Yes, people should own exotic animals as pets, although many animals are probably inappropriate for the everyday pet owner. The test should be whether the animal can be properly cared for and have a good life. As previously stated, this is more likely with the smaller parrots, because they fit more easily into the average home and they can be handled with less threat to people, which both of which are more conducive to a good life. Keeping pets also maintains the species. IMO, the hard-core animal rights supporters often have an unrealistic, romanticized idea of what life is like in the wild for animals. Often, it's kill or be killed, and being subjected to droughts and other uncontrollable weather patterns that decimate populations. We protect them from that, and take care of all of their needs, which is a pretty nice life for them. Animals and people have been interacting throughout history, often to both species' advantage, such as in the case of the domestication of dogs and cats. Owning a parrot can be seen as part of that ongoing, historical process.

At the same time, wild parrot populations and their habitats must be protected. But that's a different issue from parrots being kept as pets.

I think that classes and permits should be required for the more challenging (and dangerous) species of parrots (such as large macaws or cockatoos), since there is a much higher possibility of a bad human/pet fit. It would be better to steer people to the smaller birds that are more suited to home life.