Exotic Animals Are Not Pets
May 08, 2012
Exotic animals as household pets can be dangerous. Most of you are probably thinking that is a pretty obvious statement. But exotic animal ownership, especially big cats, is a large problem. Laws regarding ownership of exotic animals vary from state to state. I have told people for years that Missouri was one of the worst states in regards to weak animal laws, and one of the biggest exotic animal auctions is located not far from here. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge rescues these animals when they become unwanted by their owners, or when it is realized that they don’t have an animal that makes a good pet. Currently, the refuge house over 100 big cats.
Those of you who have seen one of the presentations done by Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge at MCPL over the past 8 years know that their message is big cats do not make good pets. TCWR has always done anything they could to help pass legislation to help stop the problem of big cat ownership, including speaking to the house in Arkansas when legislation was being considered. So, it is with mixed feelings that we celebrate the passage of Missouri SB795, which went into effect on January 1, 2012. The new Large Carnivore Act "prohibits the owning, breeding, possession, transferring of ownership, or transporting of large carnivores." The downside of this bill is that the refuge will not be able to bring any animals to the annual presentations that they will be doing for MCPL in June.
I understand that it is seeing these magnificent animals that normally draws people to this program. However, as those of you who have seen our program in the past or have even traveled to the refuge itself, you know it is still fascinating to hear the stories of the animals rescued and to see what it takes to care for that many big cats. Even though there will not be any animals to see, we hope you will still come out to the presentation, and if you have been before, please bring others out to get to know the refuge.
The title of the program is Almost Extinct. In addition to sharing information and video of the refuge, there will also be a great film showing the plight of tigers in the wild. Some statistics show that there are currently more tigers owned in homes in the state of Texas than there are in the wild! So, we look forward to seeing you at one of the following presentations:
Monday, June 4
10:30 a.m. - Excelsior Springs Branch
2:00 p.m. - Claycomo Branch
7:00 p.m. - Antioch Branch
Tuesday, June 5
9:30 a.m. - Grandview Branch
10:30 a.m. - Grandview Branch
2:00 p.m. - North Independence Branch
7:00 p.m. - Blue Springs North Branch
Wednesday, June 6
10:00 a.m. - Edgerton Branch
Angela H.
Excelsior Springs Branch
Comments
exotic animals are not pets
People need to save their money, take a trip to see these animals in their NATIVE environments and get over the idea that any wild animal makes a good pet. If nothing else it is selfish to contain an animal that is meant to be wild. Society needs to quit promoting exotic animal ownership as something special. Leave it to the zoos who have the educated staff and finances to care for these kinds of animals.
Exotic Animals Can Be Pets!
Sounds like 'Big Brother' at work to me! Sure, perhaps rules and regulations governing exotic animal ownership of animals that absolutely do not belong in the private sector; animal species with a reputation for being dangerous or lethal. To group all exotic animals into one category is the lazy man’s out and too imposing on people, in general. Where is the line going to be drawn between our rights as citizens in the United States and the Government dictating our every whim with consequences? Not fair; and, I don’t like it at all; and, neither should you. If people do not unite and take a stand to protect themselves against Government enactments, we, the people of the United States will eventually become victims of a dictatorship, our Government. The Government cannot even control themselves; so, why allow them to get into our business? I feel the same way about State Governments. We are allowing the Governments to herd us around like sheep, and doing nothing to stop their interference in our rights as citizens in what is suppose to be a free Country. Agreed and accepted, regulations of animals that plainly do not belong in a private home should be scrutinized; but again, to lump all exotic species under one big umbrella is just plain stupid! All the Government is doing is making its’ citizens go underground to get away from its’ control, because if someone wants an illegal pet, they’re going to do whatever it takes to have what they want. There has to be a compromise between the entities of you and me. Use your brains people! Fight for your rights.
read the law
The Missouri law does NOT group all exotic animals into one category it is specifically written for "large carnivores" which have been shown time and time again to be dangerous. This is not about government control it is about safety of people and humane treatment of these animals. I choose to take a stand against having one of these animals escape in my neighborhood and kill members of my family. People in Zanesville, Ohio were faced with that real possibility last October when a person released all 48 of his exotic animals. A situation which a law like this is aimed at preventing. So lets not take away from the real meaning here, that Missouri finally took a stand to help keep its citizens safe and to protect the welfare of animals as officials in Ohio had no choice but to shoot and kill almost all of the 48 animals released.
wow cool :)
wow cool :)
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