At 25 billion dollars a year, the pet industry is a huge international business. Even more surprising than the enormity of this figure is that an estimated one-third is generated through illegal activities. The illegal side of the trade in exotic pets negatively affects wild animals from all over the world and is exceeded in size only by the illicit sale of firearms and drugs.
Making responsible pet choices should involve research no matter what type of animal you're considering. In the case of exotics, further examination of potential conservation issues surrounding these animals, including the secondary effects that may be associated with the capture of wild individuals, is also recommended. More information on the nature of these problems and how they affect responsible pet choices and ownership can be found below:
Wild populations of some species decline rapidly as trappers anxious to meet consumer demand use unsustainable methods to catch and sell animals. Read More.
Some of the practices associated with capturing wild animals for the illegal pet trade are inherently destructive, and may result in the wiping out of entire habitat systems. Read More.
Animals that become too large or difficult to care for are sometimes released into the wild by owners who mistakenly believe the wild is the best place for their exotic pet. Read More.
Illegal trade in wild animal parts, an occasional derivative of the illegal pet trade, is also a conservation issue. Read More.
Trade in Wildlife Parts
Released Pets
Collateral Damage
Decline of Wild Populations