The Progressive Animal Welfare Society's Position on Wild Animals as Pets
Wild and Exotic Animals are Inappropriate as Companion Animals
The Progressive Animal Welfare Society opposes the private ownership of exotic and wild animals because of the inherent risks to human health and safety, and the cruelty involved in keeping such animals in unnatural environments. Wild and exotic species include non-domesticated canines (wolf-hybrids) and felines (tigers, leopards, etc.), monkeys and non-human primates, bears, reptiles, and "pocket-pets" like hedgehogs, chinchillas, prairie dogs, and sugargliders. With the rise in popularity of Internet shopping, these type of animals are easier than ever to obtain. Local stores that sell these animals are under no obligation to verify the legality of private ownership with potential buyers.
Twelve states currently ban private possession of most exotic animals, seven states have a partial ban, and 16 states require licensing or permitting. While there is no state law in Washington, many cities and counties have restrictions or bans in place or are increasingly considering enacting such bans. Many people believe the United States Department of Agriculture monitors private ownership of dangerous animals but the USDA requires licensing only to exhibit or breed exotic animals. The USDA may still issue licenses even if local ordinances prohibit the keeping of these animals within that jurisdiction. Some species, such as reptiles and birds are entirely exempt. It is illegal to possess, sell, or buy an endangered species (most domestic tigers are generic and therefore not considered endangered.)
The Animal's Well-Being
Wild and exotic animals, even those bred in captivity, still possess innate social and physical needs, and mental stimulation that cannot be met in private homes. Many animals naturally live in colonies, yet are kept as single "pets." Boredom replaces normal behaviors like grooming one another, climbing, foraging for food, mating and rearing young that would occupy their time and attention. Differences in climate can also create stress on animals and shorten their lifespans.
The average person lacks the expertise to provide proper nutrition, medical care, and husbandry and even finding a veterinarian willing to work on these animals may prove difficult. Some animals grow so large that their own "owners" find they cannot afford to feed them adequately and they suffer hunger and malnutrition. Unnecessary declawing and defanging is often performed in attempts to keep the animals from being able to inflict serious harm. Animals are often housed in environments completely lacking in enrichment, such as basements or garages.
When "owners" tire of the cost and care, or feel they cannot control an animal, finding suitable placement is often difficult. Most zoos are unwilling to take privately owned animals, especially hybrids, and few sanctuaries exist. Animals released into our local habitat may spread zoonotic illness to indigenous species or domestic animals. Local animal control agencies routinely euthanize exotic species due to lack of resources or alternatives.
Human Safety
Usually acquired while they are easily managed infants, exotic animals eventually exert their natural behaviors of biting, spitting, hissing, and attacking.
Zoonoses are diseases that may be transmitted between vertebrate non-human animals and people. They may be bacterial in nature, such as salmonella or mycoplasma, which is transmitted via inhalation; fungal, like ringworm; parasitical like tapeworm; or viral, such as herpes B, a virus usually fatal in humans. It is estimated that up to 90% of macaque monkeys carry the B virus, which may be shed in saliva. "The extremely high prevalence of B-virus along with their behavioral characteristics make the macaque species unsuitable as pets," states the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. About 3% of US households possess 7.3 million reptiles, and snakes, the most common "pet" reptile, have the potential to inflict serious injury through bite or constriction. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children under five years of age and immuno-compromised persons avoid contact with reptiles due to salmonella risks.
- In 1999, PAWS helped find sanctuary for an African serval after the 40lb. cat bit the Washington family's young daughter.
- A four-year-old boy had his arm torn off by a "pet" tiger at his uncle's home in Texas last spring
- Also earlier this year, a Chicago woman spent eight days in the hospital after her seven-year-old Great Java macaque attacked her. The woman's dog had been attacked months earlier and required surgery for the wounds. They monkey was killed so that his brain tissue could be tested for rabies and other diseases.
- In 1999, an Illinois family's pet python strangled to death their 3 year-old boy.
PAWS is committed to seeking an end to private ownership of wild and exotic animals through education and legislation. To reach our advocacy office please contact PAWS at (425) 742-4009 ext. 259.