take action

Do Not Keep Wild Animals As Pets

Satisfying the biological and behavioural needs of wild animals is difficult, time consuming and expensive. This task is made even more difficult because the natural lifestyles and captive management needs of many species in the pet trade are poorly understood. Most wild animals require spacious, complex, specialized environments that cannot be properly replicated in a home situation. Do not keep wild animals as pets. If you want to own a pet, adopt a dog or cat from your local humane society or shelter.

Do Not Support The Wild Animal Pet Trade

The wild animal pet trade is a massive, wasteful industry built on the exploitation of animals that are generally ill-suited as pets. While some are captive bred in sufficient numbers to satisfy demand at certain times, millions of wild animals (particularly reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates) are still removed from their natural habitats for the pet trade. These animals may be shipped around the world, enduring physical hardship, injury, disease and massive stress levels in the process. Mortality can be very high during and after transport. For example, experts estimate that 9 out of every 10 wild caught reptiles that make it to the consumer die within 12 months because of the effects of capture, transport and confinement. Do not support businesses involved in the wild animal pet trade.

Ask Your Local Pet Store To Consider Not Selling Wild Animals

Many pet stores sell a variety of wild animals. While some sell primates and some of the larger exotic mammals, most carry smaller creatures such as birds, reptiles and invertebrates. The conditions in most of these stores fail to address the animal's biological and behavioural needs often resulting in physical debilitation and psychological disturbance.

As well, poorly trained staff who possess minimal knowledge about the biology, behaviour, captive management and conservation of wild animals are often given responsibility for selling them. They may provide inaccurate, misleading information and incorrectly characterize wild animals as easy to keep.

Bring concerns about the treatment of wild animals in pet stores to the attention of the store management and owner. Encourage them to discontinue the sale of wild animals for animal welfare, conservation and human health reasons.

Report Inappropriate Conditions

Many wild animals are subject to inappropriate accommodation and care in pet stores and other situations. While Canada’s laws addressing cruelty to animals are outdated and relatively ineffective, it is still important that neglect and abuse be reported to local authorities, such as humane societies and animal control departments. Only by urging law enforcement agencies to investigate cases of wild animal abuse will they become more effective in enforcing, to the fullest extent possible, those laws that are currently in place.

Write To Your Elected Municipal, Provincial And Federal Government Representatives

If you are concerned about the decline of wild animal populations, the welfare of wild animals in captivity and the human health risks posed by wild animals, then write a letter to your own elected representatives outlining your concerns. Ask them to look into ways of addressing the problems you have brought to their attention.

Educate Others About Wild Animals And Wild Animal Issues

Many people don’t understand that wild animals do not make good pets. Inform your family, friends and colleagues that wild animals should stay in the wild and that they should not be captured or bred for keeping as pets. Encourage them to refrain from ever buying a wild animal and to speak up when they encounter them in inappropriate situations.