by Brenda Nelson

Created on: March 14, 2009   Last Updated: March 16, 2009

Owning an exotic pet is not as simple as you think, not only is it more difficult to find proper feed, and medical care, for them, but the owners are often attacked by well-meaning, but unjustified, individuals and groups. Technically exotic pets are anything other than cats, dogs, and livestock, as such a rabbit could be an exotic pet. For the purposes here, I am referring to the even more exotic pets, such as lizards, skunks, monkeys, and insects.

A Whole Lot of Explaining to do

When asked what kind of pet they own, most people don't need to say more than if their pet is a Cat or Dog. For the owner of exotics, they usually have to explain not only what their pet is, but also why they would "ever" want to own one. Most members of the public cannot understand why anyone would want to own a corn snake, a hairless guinea pig, or a stick insect. For the record Snakes, hairless Guinea Pigs, and Stick Insects are excellent pets for anyone with allergies, but there are many other reasons for owning them, and pets like them.

Stop Right There

Exotic pet owners are often targeted whenever there are incidents involving injury or death of a person involved in the exotic industry. If an owner of a Tiger is mauled by their pet, activist groups use this as a weapon to target all exotic pet owners, even those who own harmless animals such as Hedgehogs. Many areas have bans on certain kinds of exotic pets. On the whole it might be better to have laws which state that owners of certain kinds of animals would require certain amounts of land, or housing.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The kind of a pet a person owns is not going to make any difference to the kind of owner they are. A good owner, who owns a Sugar Glider, is going to be a good owner. A bad owner, who owns a Shih Tzu dog, is going to be a bad owner. Education is the key to being a good owner, and availability of resources and information. The ugly truth is that many people simply do not understand why anyone would want to own an animal that is not cute and cuddly, and therefor use any way they can to discredit ownership of such animals. People assume that if you own a Snake, for example, you are a certain type of person.

How do you Like Me Now?

Sometimes people want to own an exotic pet to make themselves "cool". This is never the right reason to own an exotic, or any, pet. People who want pets for this reason are discrediting those who really care about the animals for the right reasons. Pets are not accessories, although some people view them as such. This is not limited to owners of exotics, people who carry their dogs around as though they were purses fall into this category as well.

It Comes Down to Us

If exotic pet owners want to be treated fairly and allowed to own the kinds of pets they desire, it is up to them to educate others and to be responsible pet owners right from the start. Nobody should own a pet if they cannot provide a lifetime of care and accommodations for that pet. People should not own a pet simply because it is "cute" until they have researched all the requirements and ensured it is legal in their area, and legally obtained.

Owning a pet is hard work, social pressures need not make it harder.

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