Each year, millions of wild animals are captured from their natural habitats or bred in captivity just to be kept as pets. But wild animals can’t thrive in human homes.
Snakes, parrots, iguanas, turtles, and even monkeys – these are just some of the animals removed from the wild or bred in cruel mills to be sold as pets.
Some of this trade is illegal, and some is legal. But the laws don’t matter to a wild animal. Whether they are born in captivity or poached from the wild, whether it’s legal to possess them or not – it’s all cruel. And this trade is growing fast.
Watch our webinar below to learn more about nonhuman primates suffering in the pet trade.
Keeping these animals as a pet is not only dangerous, it’s also cruel. Here’s why.
It is impossible to meet all of a wild animal’s needs in human homes. Whether in a home or an enclosure, there is no way to replicate the space and freedom these animals enjoy in the wild.
Most are kept in spaces drastically smaller than their natural habitats. They aren’t able to engage in normal behaviors or even choose their own mates or what to eat. Many animals do not receive the correct nutrition, even when people try their best to feed them properly.
For wild animals who are rescued from captivity and often have physical or psychological impairments, accredited sanctuaries can provide the best quality of life possible. We support the tremendous work these sanctuaries do while working toward a future where all wild animals live in the wild.
Simply, if they’re not in the wild they will experience some level of suffering.
This red-eared slider belongs in the wild