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