1000 Flowers for the Planet - #206 Discourage Unusual Pets
What is an
unusual pet? The answer could be anything from a lizard to a lion. Some think
of ‘unusual’ as something that would normally be wild, others may think it is a
creature that is ‘rare’ (in other words, endangered). Personally, when I see
the way people treat animals I think we should ban pet ownership all together.
Why do people think it’s okay to dress up an animal in clothing, put large
birds in small cages, keep tropical creatures in cool climate zones, ‘train’
animals to do unnatural things or take on human emotional responses. Animals
are not humans. They don’t understand jokes or sarcasm, and they don’t care
about the latest fashion trends. They do require a life wherein they live with
their own kind, are able to exhibit natural behaviour in an environment that
suits their needs, and procreate in a natural way.
People like
to keep unusual pets because it makes them
feel different. It’s more about being able to identify oneself as “tough
because I own a leopard”, or “cool because I own a giant python”, or “affluent
because I own a macaw”. It’s more about the feeling
it provides the owner than the owner feeling they are giving this creature a
better life. The best life for the animal is in its own environment with its
own kind. One website I came across had a very strong opinion in favour of
humans keeping unusual pets, with a firm belief that to suggest humans should
not keep unusual pets was “infringing on the freedom of choice and lifestyle
pursuits of others.” This is a perfect example of the issue being all about the
human and not at all about the animal.
Before
deciding to ‘own’ a creature of any kind, think carefully. Think about whether
this act is for yourself or because you believe you are giving that creature
the best possible life it can have. If, like me, you conclude that most
creatures are better off in their natural environment with their own species,
then discourage unusual pets.
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