The Humane Society of the United States strongly opposes keeping wild জন্তু জানোয়ার as pets. This principle applies to both native and nonnative species, whether caught in the wild অথবা bred in captivity. The overwhelming majority of people who obtain these জন্তু জানোয়ার are unable to provide the care they require.

Caring for Wild জন্তু জানোয়ার Is Difficult অথবা Impossible

Despite what animal sellers may say, appropriate care for wild জন্তু জানোয়ার requires considerable expertise, specialized facilities, and lifelong dedication to the animals. Their nutritional and social needs are demanding to meet and, in many cases, are unknown. They often grow to be larger, stronger, and আরো dangerous than owners expect অথবা can manage. Small মার্জার such as ocelots and bobcats can be as deadly to children as lions and tigers. Wild জন্তু জানোয়ার also pose a danger to human health and safety through disease and parasites.

Baby জন্তু জানোয়ার Grow Up

Baby জন্তু জানোয়ার can be irresistibly adorable—until the cuddly baby becomes bigger and stronger than the owner ever imagined. The instinctive behavior of the adult animal replaces the dependent behavior of the juvenile, resulting in biting, scratching, অথবা displaying destructive behaviors without provocation অথবা warning. Such জন্তু জানোয়ার typically become too difficult to manage and are confined to small cages, passed from owner to owner, অথবা disposed of in other ways. There are not enough reputable sanctuaries অথবা other facilities to properly care for unwanted wild animals. They can end up back in the exotic pet trade. Some may be released into the wild where, if they survive, they can disrupt the local ecosystem.

Wild জন্তু জানোয়ার Spread Disease

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discourages direct contact with wild জন্তু জানোয়ার for a simple reason: They can carry diseases that are dangerous to people, such as rabies, herpes B virus, and Salmonella. The herpes B virus commonly found among একজাতের ছোটো লেজওয়ালা বাঁদর monkeys can be fatal to humans. Thousands of people get Salmonella infections each বছর from contact with reptiles অথবা amphibians, causing the CDC to recommend that these জন্তু জানোয়ার be kept out of homes with children under five. A সাম্প্রতিক outbreak of monkeypox was set in motion when small mammals carrying the disease were imported for the pet trade and infected native prairie dogs, which were also sold as pets.

Domestication Takes Thousands of Years

Wild জন্তু জানোয়ার are not domesticated simply দ্বারা being captive born অথবা hand-raised. It's a different story with সারমেয় and cats, who have been domesticated দ্বারা selective breeding for desired traits over thousands of years. These special animal companions depend on humans for food, shelter, veterinary care, and affection. Wild animals, দ্বারা nature, are self-sufficient and fare best without our interference. The instinctive behavior of these জন্তু জানোয়ার makes them unsuitable as pets.

Capturing Wild জন্তু জানোয়ার Threatens Their Survival

When wild-caught জন্তু জানোয়ার are kept as pets, their suffering may begin with capture—every বছর millions of birds and reptiles suffer and die on the journey to the pet store. Even after purchase, their lives are likely to be filled with misery. If they survive, they may languish in a cramped backyard cage অথবা বৃত্ত endlessly in a cat carrier অথবা aquarium. আরো commonly, they become sick অথবা die because their owners are unable to care for them properly. The global wild pet trade continues to threaten the existence of some species in their native habitats.

Having any animal as a pet means being responsible for providing appropriate and humane care. Where wild জন্তু জানোয়ার are concerned, meeting this responsibility is usually impossible. People, animals, and the environment suffer the consequences.