Comments on: Wild Matters: The Nature of Exotic Pet Laws

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:15:30 +0000

It’s important to have these types of laws in place otherwise people who wouldn’t normally be able to encounter/home an exotic pet would feel free to do so and the potential for catastraphy is much greater than if the exotic creature were cared for by someone who actually understood what the pet needed and required.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:53:37 +0000

If someones did that to a lion what would be the point in it being a lion is the point everyone seems to have made. Although it could be a good idea if the lion turned on you of course!

By: Trudy Jackson

Trudy Jackson — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:19:10 +0000

I saw a lion breeder on TV once, and it was terrible. They were kept in tiny cages, and the babies were taken right away from the mother to be hand raised. The guy would throw a large something over the fence to feed them. They looked terrible.
I know someone here who bought a baby lion. She had Him, nuetered, declawed, and de-fanged. so what is left of the poor lion?

By: Jeanie

Jeanie — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:43:59 +0000

This was a very thoughtfully written article. There is a big difference between rescuing an injured or handicapped wild animal and breeding / selling wild animals for the pleasure of ignorant humans. One of my favorite animal organizations is Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, FL. Go to www.bigcatrescue.com to read about how many of their big cats came from HORRIBLE situations where people sought to profit off these majestic creatures. They were neglected, abused, starved and mutilated (de-clawed and de- fanged). There should be stricter laws to prevent the breeding of wild animals to sell as as pets or killed for their fur.

By: highnote

highnote — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:58:36 +0000

Any time a person sees a wild hurt animal or a wild baby of any kind it is hard to know what is the best thing to do. It is difficult to walk away and do nothing at all.
I was always taught that it was natures way of doing things and the strongest survive but when I rotortilled up a family of baby rabbits and one of them lived, that was not natures way. I changed that with my rotortiller. I took the rabbit in and raised it. Rabbits can carry rabbit fever so I was taking a chance when I took the rabbit in to my home. I felt I did not have a choice because it was my fault it happened.
The family that took the deer noticed that it had a problem with it’s feet and if they had called a game warden out, they would have distroyed the deer. Would this have been right? The family took it to a vet and spent the money to help it. So what was right?
I thought they were wonderful to help the deer because it would have died in the wild.
I feel it is sometimes our duty to help those wild animals out. They are alive and are not just for a hunters trophy lodge.
There was a dead mother possum on the side of the road and in her pouch were many babies and some of them were coming out of the pouch. I left them there and and felt so sorry for the babies but knew I could do nothing to help them. Sometimes we have to walk away and let nature take its course. It is a hard thing to watch when you love animals but those same animals can carry many diseases and bring it home to your family. We do need to be careful when we pick up wild animals because we would not want to bring a disease home to our children. They are wild animals and it is always the possibility that they could turn on us too. They are not domesticated and everyone should realize that when they try to help them.
I personally do not believe in buying exotic pets. I have always felt they would want their freedom and would not be happy locked up in a little cage.
I watched the wolf pack in our zoo and noticed how they ran back and forth constantly, I could tell they were very unhappy and wanted their freedom. Instead of feeling excited that I got to see a wolf up close, I felt depressed because I could tell that freedom meant more to them then having a good meal and someone to care for them.
I realize that everyone has different feelings about this issue and I only thought I would share some of my own.

By: Lynne

Lynne — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:13:03 +0000

This is why one of my favorite charities is Noahs Lost Ark.
http://www.noahslostark.org/
They rescue animals such as big cats, wolves, etc. from owners who thought that bear cub would make such a cute pet…. Take a look at their site. They do remarkable work and have some wonderful lions, tigers, etc. that started out horribly abused and now have a safe and healthy place to live out their lives. I give a little out of each paycheck to support their efforts.