If we educate people on the harms these animals can cause to humans, people will most likely stop buying these "pets" which means the smugglers can't sell anything. But its not just physical attacks we should be wary of. Even if I really, really, really want a Pallas' cat. Also that their original practical use was to put them inside pipes to hunt/chase out unwanted mice and rats. The exotic pet trade also damages food chains and ecosystems. On a side note.. Im not necessarily against exotic pet ownership. I was asleep in the passenger seat with Jezzy curled up in my chest. I was talking about exotic animals, reptiles, and fish. i have noted down all your points for a debate at university. Many exotics are also cared for in relation to their species-specific needs, so some exotics have outdoor access or live exclusively outside. "There are exotic pet owners out there whose care and expertise could appeal to even the most diehard anti-captivity advocate, and since they exist, the right to keep alternative pets is worth protecting.". .tufts-carousel { } Permits to Own Exotic Animals In addition to prohibitions and restrictions on exotic pet ownership, the majority of states have some sort of permit, license, or registration requirement to possess certain animals. The wild relatives of domesticated cats aren't tigers and lions, This is a wildcat, and not much has changed. If you truly love animals, you'd want them to be able to live in a world where they are free to do as they please. Other states require simple permitting of the exotic animal, while 21 states completely ban dangerous exotic animal ownership (big cats, bears, wolves, primates, and some reptiles). Infant snakes are shipped in boxes across oceans. Lets explore more information on exotic animals as pets and their statistics. Probably. What such evidence exists that the 'pet trade' involving captive tigers is a significant reason that people go into jungles and shoot wild tigers? Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 07, 2014: The difference is that your are proving my point. I think what Melissa was trying to say was that the blue tilapia was not introduced to the ecosystem by the pet trade. It doesn't seem to make any sense. The laws regarding exotic pet ownership vary by state. If someone you know owns an exotic pet, make them aware of the dangers. A tiger lounges in an enclosure owned by Zuzana Kukol in Pahrump, Nev. Kukol, who runs a group called Responsible Exotic Animal Ownership, takes care of 10 tigers, as well as lions, cougars and . To help you better understand the exotic pet trade, we put together the most crucial information about it.