| When looking for a pet think of how much | | | | Do you hope to have a pet that likes to |
| time and dedication you have for walking | | | | be around people or can your ideal pet |
| it, feeding it, and all the other | | | | hide away when guests come around? Some |
| responsibilities that come along with | | | | pets live indoors all the time while |
| owning a pet. If you don't want to be | | | | others can spend a lot of time outside. |
| involved in all of the responsibilities | | | | Which do you prefer? |
| being a pet owner entails then you | | | | - The most frequently kept wild creature |
| should reconsider buying a pet to haul | | | | in the US is the tiger. About 10% of |
| along with you on outings just to make | | | | 5,000 to 7,000 tigers are kepts in tiger |
| you look cool. | | | | sanctuaries and zoos. Some of them live |
| Exotic Pet Legal Issues | | | | in traveling shows with the troupe, |
| Laws not only apply to human beings, | | | | circuses and big cat rescues for |
| there are also laws binding to animals. | | | | entertainment. Some people even tame |
| We have the animal welfare law as | | | | them and make them their pets so they |
| represented by PAWS and PETA. There's | | | | stay in their owners' backyard. |
| also the law regarding exotic pets. | | | | - Tigers actually kill people and nine |
| However, there is a variety from | | | | people have died in the last nine years. |
| city-to-city. A law in one city may not | | | | Every year, studies show that almost a |
| apply to another state. If you own an | | | | 100,000 people are in danger of |
| exotic pet, check first with your | | | | contacting the salmonella infection |
| nearest locality about the restrictions | | | | which comes from reptiles. The US Food |
| in owning them. Where would you get | | | | and Drug Administration didn't allow the |
| exotic pets for sale? | | | | sales and import of turtles smaller than |
| There are restrictions in exotic pet | | | | 4 inches. |
| laws because the animal must be | | | | Studies also show that the businesses of |
| protected even more when they are | | | | wild and exotic animals that are |
| separated from their natural habitat. | | | | eventually tamed are estimated to be |
| Also, there is a possibility that the | | | | worth $15 billion each year. Wild animal |
| owner who adopts the exotic creature may | | | | trade is worth billions of dollars. One |
| not be able to provide the right home, | | | | fourth of wild animal trade is illegal. |
| diet and care to the owner. | | | | This is the poaching of elephants and |
| Another reason is that since these | | | | tigers. It's disturbing to find out that |
| animals can be sold to the state's zoo - | | | | the second moneymaker on the black |
| capturing and smuggling of exotic | | | | market, a close second after trading |
| creatures are rampant in an area where | | | | drugs and weapons, is the illegal trade |
| there is an exotic creature. It's also | | | | of exotic animals. |
| better to think of your neighbors. | | | | That is why the legislatures not only |
| There's no knowing what could happen if | | | | considers safety of human beings, they |
| you have a wild animal in your backyard. | | | | also find the time to create laws to |
| What if it escapes? If it does, it could | | | | protect exotic animals. As mentioned |
| create great alarm to the public. | | | | earlier, animals, be it the tamed or the |
| For example, look at these previous | | | | wild, deserve to have rights, just like |
| studies: | | | | us humans. |
| - In Arizona, there is a dealer who was | | | | Some pets are stolen. A pet thief may |
| able to sell tigers from a minimum $900 | | | | snatch Fifi or Fido in hopes of getting |
| to a maximum $7000. The price depends on | | | | a reward for its return, or to use in |
| the color of the tiger, as well as the | | | | dog fights (even small or gentle dogs |
| gender. A young chimp has the going rate | | | | are susceptible - they can be used as |
| of $50,000. | | | | "bait"), or for use in cult rituals. |