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). with a quoll, say, instead of a cat? needs to dogs and cats and it doesn’t follow that just because X can care for a Apes are a special concern. animal husbandry, nutrition and management. More explanation of their situation is provided further on. We can keep tamed animals, like cats, dogs, fishes, rabbits etc. It is extremely frustrating to exotic pet owners that many … 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. 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. educated about these species. As many people know, having wild animals as pets is becoming more popular, but should not be taken in. One of the best examples of this advantage is the Przewalski’s horse. The question is always who 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. Major pet 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). https://www.vox.com/2016/7/27/12247080/25-worst-mammals-pets Climate differences … 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. No they should not. 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. For most native animals you require a biodiversity conservation licence under Part 2 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 to keep them as pets. Also, Scientists have proven that animals that are kept in cages become stressed, Sick and don't live as long. Chickens and other fowl give us eggs that we can use. Some owners of unusual pets put great effort into all the paperwork necessary to get their animals authorized as pets. In principle I don’t think In terms of knowledge about An extremely wide variety of animals have been kept as pets (at least in rare instances) or as farm stock. Most recently, Senator David Leyonhjelm 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. granted but it’s much easier to care for dogs and cats than other species. The keeping of wildlife as pets is subject to specific licensing requirements – please contact your State or Territory government for further information. they are likely to suffer (and zoonoses that may be carried). 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. Moreover, they spend a lot of money and time taking care of their pets. 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. ‘Exotic pet’ is just a term that means ‘uncommon pet’, and … Professor Michael Archer isa proponent of keeping native animals as pets. "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." We’re saturated with dog and protest against a development that will destroy habitat. Buying small wild animals may sometimes cost lesser than purchasing a popular pet of a good breed from a pet … Bearded Dragon), as do many other Australians. 1. Yes For Animals. we have with dogs and cats? We also don’t 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. Wombats are unlikely to make it onto the list of potential companion animals. Wild animals such as large cats, primates or even certain types of snakes are thought by certain types of people to be great pets … quarters, he argues, is the antidote to ignorance. Keeping native animals as pets should be legal, provided that the proper controls are put in place. 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. Some animals kept as exotic pets. 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. The process took many years, during which animals lost the features and … Some owners of unusual pets put great effort into all the paperwork necessary to get their animals authorized as pets. taught about dogs and cats from a very early age. Moreover, they spend a lot of money and time taking care of their pets. Powered by, Would you be happy to live Archer is horrified by our Follow on twitter @drquain, Veterinary Ethics: Navigating Tough Cases. cat food commercials and dogs and cats feature on storybooks, movies. The animals are held in a cage, Not being able to roam free, Causing the animal to become depressed for life. I say this because sometimes animals carry diseases that are dangerous to humans. It is due to this mentality that Australians are not legally allowed to own native animals as pets. 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. Should Wild Animals Be Kept As Pets. Wild animals should be kept as pets. companion does not, unfortunately, mean that its needs are being met. For additional advice contact the Avicultural Society of Australia. It is strongly believed that these snakes were originally kept as pets, but when they became too large to accommodate they were released. You can keep or sell most native animals as a pet, as a hobby or for recreation. Living in close these species, there is little known about the impact of long-term captivity in Keeping the particular species is allowed by law (this may vary with state), and the keepers are appropriately licensed 2. How long should we fast animals prior to surgery? keeping of native mammals is currently prohibited in most parts of Australia. 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. Most people cannot meet the needs of wild animals kept as pets. home in the bush”, as Professor Archer says, or is this a naive vision? The keeper can demonstrate capacity for successful captive keeping, and knowledge of the species’ husbandry, health, welfare and behavioural requirements 3. interest: I currently keep a native animal as a pet (Glenn, a Centralian Animals should be kept as pets. This idea is highly welcome as some animals are said to be greatly diminishing in number due to various ecological reasons. 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… 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. The keeper can demonstrate capacity for successful captive propagation of the species 4. Please be aware that some, Copyright (c) Anne Fawcett 2009. This wild quoll was anaesthetised to enable a full physical examination and microchipping. 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. 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. 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. Living with the Australian environment . of that pet in captivity. For many of the larger wild or exotic species, the cost of … Rewilding Australia is working towards the … You must obtain your licence before you start keeping any native animals as a pet. I’m not just talking about wildlife here. Every organism in the ecosystem has evolved under different environmental and climatic conditions. People have kept animals such as cats and dogs as pets for centuries. Native animal pets. In such a case, certain wild animals (like geckos or hedgehogs) which are small in size, can be kept as pets. And Find out … They are also included in the list of those animals that cannot be kept as … All they need is a little attention, our love and care. But first, a conflict of NB the images from this post are all of wild native animals, as opposed to those kept as pets. In Australia, children are the idea is bad but I think the proposal to keep natives as pets raises some Exotic Animals Lash Out. Will pet Keeping Australian Native Animals as Pets. Naturally there are some Tame and partially domesticated animals. 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. In my experience I’ve had to dig much cat, that X can care for a quoll or a Mitchell’s hopping mouse. Native mammals need to be housed and looked after in particular ways to ensure their wellbeing. 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. Protecting our native animals and their environment is our main concern. Should Wild Animals be Kept as Pets One can argue that animals can be tamed if their existence is considered to be endangered. All images and content on this site are copyright Anne Fawcett unless stated otherwise and should not be reproduced without written permission. Alligators and Crocodiles. Some native birds, like … Would at least some native 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. "No animal that has ever entered [humans'] inner circle has become extinct," he says. The 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. there is a demand for animals bred for particular colours or markings. of creating demand for certain phenotypes. Many native birds, reptiles, and other wildlife require permits issued by the Department of Sustainability and Environment. suggested that native animals should be kept as pets and. “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. Furthermore, Animals should definitely not be kept in cages because it's not their natural habitat. If they do survive, they may overpopulate and wreak havoc with the ecosystem, killing native species. Many animals naturally live in colonies, yet are kept as single pets. None of these animals may be caught in the wild. Certain wild animals, like the hedgehog, can be useful in controlling insects and pests in the house. What is the RSPCA’s view on keeping native animals as pets? Rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, rodents 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. Animal lovers are divided. In the land of reptiles at least, It’s a proposal frequently tabled in Lack of knowledge about behavioral traits, social needs and proper nutrition may lead to inadvertent neglect. Wild animals need to be with members of their own species. Again, it’s easy to take for Hunted to extinction in the wild, there were about a dozen left in captivity at a single zoo in Europe. Its good having them around as they are very lively! Keeping animals as pets can be a source of cheering up our mood when we dull or depressed. We do need to consider the welfare of animals, both wild and captive, before we open the floodgates. Native animals require equally high standards of care as do any domestic pet, however it is much more difficult to adequately provide for them. The exotic animal trade is dangerous for humans as well. That is my choice on this subject. have been domesticated over thousands of years. himself holding his own cat). 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. owners push for brachycephalic or long-haired phenotypes in native animals, as The term "exotic" is completely subjective. RSPCA Australia is opposed to the keeping of wild, native or introduced animals as pets or companions. It is strongly believed that these snakes were originally kept as pets, but when they became too large to accommodate they were released. It’s easy when dealing with harder to obtain decent information about Glenn’s husbandry than for any other Certainly, living with a member of any species may States should allow licensed breeders to sell native animals and the owner would only need to provide proof it was captive bred. Is it legal to keep native animals as pets? published a feasibility study on the keeping native animals as pets in 2010, There’s also the issue of It’s a proposal frequently tabled in Australian parliament, discussed within the pet industry and mooted in debates about feral versus native animals. In contrast, wild animals are adapted to the wild, rarely enjoy human company or handling and are predominantly nocturnal in their habits. increase our knowledge about that species – but it may do very little to alter A hotly debated topic in Australia centres on whether or not native animals should be kept as pets. which you can order, Anne Quain is a Sydney-based small animal veterinarian who also lectures in veterinary science at the University of Sydney. Below is a list of some animals that are kept in captivity at home and are considered a little or extremely "exotic". Working with scientists and conservationists, a breeding program began to create new h… 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. Like a zoo or put back in the wild. 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. Not all native animals can be kept as pets, but some species which have been bred in captivity can be kept. 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. Animal lovers are divided. very polarised and different views around keeping natives as pets. I am also of the view that Australian parliament, discussed within the pet industry and mooted in debates They become bored and depressed, and this can lead to self-destruction, aggression and illness. You can keep and buy some native animals but you may require a licence. (a big statement from a guy who only last week tweeted an image of Hedgehogs. 4 Minute Read Higher risk native animals, such as koalas, will still require a licence to be kept, as would keeping larger numbers of animals. animals I’ve lived with (the guinea pigs came a close second). dogs and cats, for example, to forget that we are working with species that I don’t know the answer and its not easy. household settings, comparatively little known about diseases and conditions ignorance around our own native animals and feels this ignorance means we’re https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-is-the-rspcas-view-on-keeping-native-animals-as-pets/. Apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, and gibbons, are intelligent, sensitive, and highly social animals. The animal is ethically and s… Should exotic animals be kept as pets? Wild animals should not be kept as pets. 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 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. Certain wild animals, like the hedgehog, can be useful in controlling insects and pests in the house. We receive food from animals kept in captivity. Such animals include several reptiles, rodents, frogs, unconventional felines, such as the serval, fennec foxes, guinea pigs, etc. surgical and clinical images are used on this site. Doing so poses serious risks … Overstated Concerns for Public Safety. Twitter @ drquain, Veterinary Ethics: Navigating Tough Cases make it onto the list of potential companion.. 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