Exotic Pets Should be off Santa's List
BRIGHTON, England, December 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
The Animal Protection Agency (APA) is urging last-minute shoppers not to buy exotic pets as Christmas gifts. Scientific research produced just this month shows that many would-be exotic pet owners can avoid the mistake of acquiring animals that they wrongly believe are easy to keep. Exotic animals have complex care needs beyond most people's capabilities, resulting in animal suffering and risks to human health and safety. Although exotic pet traders often peddle their animals as 'easy to keep', scientists have shown that this is simply not the case.
A new assessment 'tool' developed by 18 scientists, vets and technicians, including leading experts in animal biology, welfare and public health, classifies animals according to how challenging they are to keep. This tool is called EMODE and categorises potential pets as Easy, Moderate, Difficult or Extreme. Now, anyone thinking of acquiring any type of pet can take the FREE EMODE test to enable them to make an informed decision.
How a sample of exotic pets score on the scientific EMODE system:
African clawed frog - Difficult
African grey parrot - Extreme
Bearded dragon - Difficult
Clownfish - Difficult (bordering Extreme)
Corn snake - Difficult
Kinkajou - Difficult to Extreme
Milk snake - Difficult
Other recent research also shows that what might seem like a good idea for a Christmas present often turns out to be a bad idea for the animal. For instance, a study published last year found that at least 75% of reptiles die prematurely within their first year in the home.
An exotic pet purchase may not only end in tears but could also result in injury or disease to the keeper. There are serious and growing concerns regarding the animal-to-human disease risks associated with exotic pet keeping and a recent study showed that exotic pet injuries result in an average of over 300 hospitalisation days per year in England alone.
Says Elaine Toland, Director of the Animal Protection Agency:
"Deciding whether or not to take on an animal is a significant, life-changing decision and should not be made in the pre-Christmas rush. Whatever the time of year, we would urge anyone considering an exotic animal as a pet to, first of all, check out EMODE and gauge for themselves the level of commitment that may be involved. There is no need anymore to merely hope that you get the full picture from pet shop staff. If you're looking for a pet that won't take a great deal of time, energy and expense or present a health hazard to you and your family then an exotic pet is not for you!
Says Clifford Warwick, biologist and co-developer of the EMODE system:
"In my view, the marketing of exotic animals to the general public as 'easy-to-keep' pets is not only misleading, but also opportunistic, unscrupulous and wrong - especially at this time of year. Checking an animal using the EMODE system offers free scientific, impartial and objective guidance on its suitability or unsuitability as a pet. Responsible animal keeping should start with EMODE."
A ready-to-use brochure on EMODE: 'Pets - easy or difficult to keep?'
can be found at http://emergentdisease.org/assets/documents/emode-brochure-screen.pdf or request a hard copy from the Animal Protection Agency.
Notes to Editors
- For further information, please contact Elaine Toland on 01273 674253 or out of hours on 07986 535024.
- We have an ISDN line for broadcast-quality interviews
- EMODE was published in the independent and peer-reviewed Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics. You can read the full article at http://emergentdisease.org/assets/documents/EMODE.pdf.
- Warwick, C., Steedman, C., Jessop, M., Toland, E. and Lindley, S. (2013) Assigning Degrees of Ease or Difficulty for Pet Animal Maintenance: The EMODE System Concept, J Agric Environ Ethics, DOI 10.1007/s10806-013-9455-x.
Animal Protection Agency
Brighton Media Centre
15-17 Middle Street
Brighton
BN1 1AL
Tel: +44-(0)1273-674253
Mob: +44-(0)7986-535024
Email: info@apa.org.uk
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