Exotic Animals
Thousands of captive exotic animals are kept by zoos, animal entertainment agencies and private individuals. But these animals don’t belong in cages or glass tanks. Whether wild-caught or captive-bred, they retain the biological and behavioural needs of wild animals. They have evolved to thrive in very specific environments that are virtually impossible to replicate in captivity. As a result they are often kept in environments in which they lack space, stimulation, exercise, proper nutrition, warmth or same-species companionship. In short, they suffer.
VHS works to alleviate the suffering of captive exotic animals
Zoos are not the only places that keep captive exotic animals. Animal entertainment agencies rent them out for movies, TV commercials, “corporate entertainment” events and even for birthday parties. When the cameras stop rolling or the party is over, the animals are returned to their cages, tanks and pens, where they languish until the next assignment.
Thousands more animals are held by private individuals as pets, where they often suffer from neglect, poor conditions or from being abandoned when they are no longer wanted. These animals don’t belong in cages or glass tanks in suburban basements. Whether wild-caught or captive-bred, they retain the biological and behavioural needs of wild animals. They have evolved to thrive in very specific environments that are virtually impossible to replicate in captivity. Captive animals endure environments in which they lack space, stimulation, exercise, proper nutrition, warmth or same-species companionship. In short, they suffer.
Exotic animals can also pose a threat to human health and safety, as some are dangerous, venomous or can carry diseases contagious to humans. They are completely unsuitable as pets.
VHS works with all levels of government to pass legislation prohibiting the private ownership of exotic animals as pets.
New Provincial Government Regulation of exotic animals
In March 2009, the B.C. government introduced long-awaited regulation of the keeping of exotic animals. The new regulations prohibit the keeping of an extensive list of dangerous exotic species, such as tigers, venomous snakes and other animals deemed unsafe to be held by private individuals. While introduced for reasons of public safety, the regulations enhance animal welfare by keeping these animals out of the hands of private individuals and by helping to restrict the trade in these species. The regulations will also improve conditions at zoos and other animal facilities, such as animal rental agencies. The government’s regulatory plan can be seen at this link.
VHS welcomed the provincial government’s regulations but we were disappointed the list of prohibited animals was not longer. Many small animals, especially reptiles, will continue to be traded and kept as pets. VHS is urging municipal governments to continue passing bylaws that will curtail the sale and keeping of exotic pets.
VHS warned government about tiger danger
The new provincial regulations follow many years of work by VHS to bring the issue of exotic animals to the public’s attention.
VHS warned the B.C. Ministry of the Environment in 2006 about the danger posed by the tiger that killed a woman at a private zoo near 100 Mile House on May 10, 2007.
In a letter to the ministry on December 1, 2006 VHS stated:
“In our opinion, the enclosures are inadequate and these animals are not being kept in humane conditions. More importantly, as you can see from the enclosed, there is not adequate fencing to protect the public from these wild and potentially dangerous animals. As well, the animals are taken into public places including schools and malls, in which the public, including small children, is encouraged to not only get into close proximity, but also to engage in touching and other activities. This, in our opinion, is a disaster waiting to happen.”
VHS had been monitoring Siberian Magic, the company that kept the tiger and a number of other exotic animals for display, charging for children to have their picture taken with tigers and to pet the animals. In 2005, VHS protests stopped Siberian Magic from displaying tigers at restaurant party in Whistler, B.C.
If you are concerned about animal welfare in any facility keeping captive exotic animals, please contact us.
Disease
Aside from the welfare concerns about exotic animals, there is the issue of disease. Many exotic species can harbour and spread disease. For example, most reptiles carry salmonella, which can be contracted by humans through direct or indirect contact. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 74,000 cases of salmonellosis per year are associated with exposure to reptiles or amphibians, which makes this a significant public health concern. The CDC also notes that children are at greatest risk from reptile associated Salmonellosis.
Another concern is the threat of disease from imported exotic species. In 2003, a shipment of Gambian rats from Africa introduced the potentially fatal disease Monkeypox into North America. The rats, intended for the pet trade, infected prairie dogs (also sold as pets) and the disease spread to humans. Other diseases, such as SARS, West Nile virus and avian flu, have originated in wild animals and jumped to humans. Research has shown that importing wild animals through the exotic pet trade can pose a serious threat to public and animal health in Canada. VHS has published a report on this research and submitted it to the federal government.
VHS Report: A Disaster Ignored?
Bylaws
VHS provides information to municipal councils to help implement bylaws that prohibit the sale and keeping of exotic animals. Several municipalities in BC have passed such bylaws, such as Vancouver, North Vancouver, New Westminster, Abbotsford, Courtenay and the Central Okanagan Regional District. These bylaws send a strong message to the public that keeping exotic animals as pets is unacceptable.
Some cities, such as Richmond and Surrey, have passed bylaws prohibiting the sale of exotic animals but not their ownership. Such approaches are ineffective, as people can simply go to pet shops in other nearby municipalities (without exotics bylaws) to purchase animals.
Some people argue that “education” is the answer to the exotic pet issue. The say pet owners can be taught how to care for exotic animals. VHS disagrees because, in principle, we believe captivity is wrong, even when knowledgeable pet owners try to replicate the natural habitat of exotic species. They can never offer the diversity and range of the animal’s true habitat. Moreover, there is no evidence that education works. Consider the overwhelming problems related to cat and dog ownership. For a very long time there has plenty of information available on dog and cat care – from animal agencies, municipalities, veterinary clinics, libraries and so on. Yet, cats and dogs continue to be abused, abandoned and irresponsibly allowed to breed. Our view is that adding exotic animals to the list of popular pets, when their needs are so complex, will result in the same types of irresponsible ownership – no matter how much education is available.
Only legislation banning the sale and ownership of exotic animals will get to the root of the problem.
Bylaws restricting/prohibiting exotic pet ownership or sale
- City of Abbotsford
- City of Surrey (prohibits sale only)
- City of Burnaby (only restricts the number of snakes kept)
- City of Courtenay
- City of Cranbrook
- City of Dawson Creek
- Township of Esquimalt
- City of Fort St. John
- City of Kelowna
- City of Langley (prohibits sale only)
- City of New Westminster
- City of North Vancouver
- District of Oak Bay
- District of Peachland
- District Port Hardy
- City of Powell River
- City of Richmond (prohibits sale only)
- City of Terrace
- District of Tumbler Ridge
- City of Vancouver
