• About BCR
  • News
  • News @ BCR
  • Rescues
  • Issues
  • Cat Laws
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

Freed exotic pets are a fast-growing problem

BCR by BCR
November 12, 2016
in News World
0
0
SHARES
2
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

You might also like

Cub Petting Shame

Rules

GoFree

The Florida Department of Agriculture released a public service announcement urging exotic pet owners to be responsible when it comes to their unique pets.

BY ANI MARTINEZ
armartinez@MiamiHerald.com

Florida’s latest resident is freckled, has eight black legs and red hair.

It also has an unlikely name — the Mexican red rump tarantula, one of many exotic species purchased as pets then set free by their owners.

“Florida and California are the two worst states with imported exotics,” said G.B. Edwards, the entomologist with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “The main centers are Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Fort Myers.”

The department hopes to drive home the problem by using Frida, a nonnative Mexican red rump tarantula, as the star of a new public service announcement now online.

The PSA video targets exotic pet owners who release their animals into the wild after the excitement wears off.

The problem?

The newcomers can endanger native species by eating their food or attacking them. Or, in some cases, they can be a threat to people or domestic animals and plants.

“They could depopulate our native species in some ways,” said Edwards, who is known as the State Spider Man. “The Nile Monitor [lizard] is aggressive. They could attack children.”

Instead of dumping the pet in the Everglades or outside your neighborhood, experts say there are other options.

* First, try to return the animal to the place where you bought it — even if the store doesn’t refund your money.

* Find a vet who is familiar with the species. The vet may counsel you to keep the animal or refer you someone who wants the animal.

* Ask your local zoo or college if they can use it for teaching purposes.

“Whatever they do, they shouldn’t let it loose,” Edwards said.

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM

Experts warn that the best way to avoid releasing an exotic pet is to do the homework before buying one.

“For 11 years that I’ve been a vet, two people have come in for a $50 pre-purchase pet consult and a few people have called me,” said Susan Kelleher owner of the Broward Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital in Pompano Beach. “The biggest reason exotic pets are returned is because they are impulse purchases.”

Kelleher said rabbits and ferrets are the most common exotic animals people want to leave at her clinic.

“But I can’t even take any more drop-offs,” she said. “I can’t act as a humane society.”

The Wildlife Care Center in Fort Lauderdale also feels the burden.

“We are not the dumping grounds for these animals,” said Judy LaRose, the center’s senior director of animal services. “Unusual exotic animals are not as easily placed in other loving homes. Not everyone wants a tarantula or six-foot snake as a pet.”

“It would be nice if the pet shops would stop selling these exotic animals,” LaRose said.

PET-SHOP GREED

But just like the exotic species, the pet stores are here to stay. Exotic pets can be profitable because many people want to buy them.

“Pet stores won’t stop selling them,” Edwards said. “Having a bearded dragon or some exotic is the in thing and they’re selling like hot cakes.”

Edwards said breeders have gone one step further and are crossbreeding tarantulas and making hybrids.

“That is really going too far,” he said.

Although the state and federal government have rules against bringing in certain species, experts said the availability on the Internet is easy and the problem is too far out of control to enforce the laws.

“As far as the pet trade, we spend very little now because we don’t have the time, researchers or manpower,” Edwards said.

To see the PSA, visit www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/videos.html.

florida/counties/broward_county/15925757.htm

Tags: News World
Previous Post

AdvoCat 2006 11

Next Post

NY Times editorial on valuing ALL animals

BCR

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

Cub Petting Shame
Cat Laws

Cub Petting Shame

January 17, 2021
133
Be Safe Out There!
How To Start A Sanctuary

Rules

March 31, 2020
21
Big Cat Rescue does bobcat rehab and release of native, Florida bobcats.
Articles by BCR

GoFree

March 29, 2020
64
Nik Tiger being Xrayed
How To Start A Sanctuary

What is a day like at Big Cat Rescue?

June 30, 2020
12
Cougars at Big Cat Rescue
Memorials

Artemis

January 28, 2020
17
Next Post

NY Times editorial on valuing ALL animals

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Shop To Save Big Cats

More From BigCatRescue

  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Big Cat Information

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Ways to Help

  • Newsletter SignUp
  • Donate Now
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • View AMP Versioin
No Result
View All Result
  • 2018 Appeal
  • About BCR
  • About our Cookies
  • BCR in the Media
  • Big Cat Rescue Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade
  • Big Cat Times
  • Blog
  • Board of Directors
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Credentials
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Embed Link
  • GET THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT CUB PETTING
  • Global Big Cat News
  • Intern Program
  • Kids
  • Latest from Big Cat Rescue
  • Licensing
  • Map
  • Map of Big Cat Owners
  • Netflix
  • News about Big Cats
  • News Gallery
  • News@BCR
  • Our Video Series
  • PressRoom
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rescues
  • Search result
  • Series Archive – Default header
  • Shop
  • SnowLeopard
  • Social Stream
  • Staff
  • Teachers
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Terms of Use
  • Test Gravity
  • USFWS
  • Vets
  • Videos archive
  • Get Involved
    • Automatic
    • Sponsorships
    • Volunteer
      • AdvoCats
      • Click to Feed
      • Intern
    • Legacy
    • Roar! Speak Out for Big Cats
    • Ink
  • Finances
  • How We Started
  • Abuse Issues
    • Issues
      • Exhibitions
      • Private Ownership of Big Cats
      • Zoos
      • White Tigers
      • Circus
      • Fur
      • Trophy Hunting
      • Canned Hunting
      • Why Regulations Don’t Work
  • Our Evolution
  • Photos & Facts
  • Videos
  • Our Volunteers
  • Your Privacy
  • Donate
  • Site Map
  • Field Trips

© Copyright 2021 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Add New Playlist