Purchasing exotic pets from a licensed facility is the best way to ensure the health and well-being of your new pet. If you buy from a pet store, humane society, or breeder who has not obtained the animal from a licensed facility, you risk purchasing an unhealthy animal. Buying an exotic pet is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Whether we are talking about a small snake or alligator, every creature here has been bred with care to be healthy and happy in captivity. One of the most common reasons exotic animals are abandoned is that people purchase them on impulse without considering how much time, space, and resources they need. Here are three key reasons why you should always buy from a licensed facility:
1. Prevents Overcrowding
Many owners purchase exotic species without considering how many animals they can safely house and care for. Facilities require regular veterinary health examinations and appropriate vaccination schedules to provide high-quality care. These examinations and vaccinations often cost more than the pet itself, making it difficult for pet owners to afford them all at once. An aramid animal, such as a cheetah or an African leopard, requires special vaccinations not standard in the United States. If a pet owner cannot afford to provide these vaccinations and has to put off their pet’s health care, it is often passed over for pets that can be cared for by the owner.
2. Adopting From a Licensed Facility Protects Others From Disease
In many states, exotic animals are not required to be vaccinated or tested for diseases. Purchasing your exotic pet from a licensed facility ensures that your new pet will not spread disease to other animals, including people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tracked an outbreak of Salmonella infections contracted from pet hedgehogs. Purchasing your exotic pet from a licensed facility can also help protect other exotic pets at the facility, as many owners will not return pets that display any health concerns.
3. Purchasing From a Licensed Facility Offers Guarantees
Often, when people purchase animals on impulse without research, they find out how much care the pet needs too late. Some of these animals are aggressive, require special care, and can be pretty challenging to obtain from their owners. Others bite or scratch people who attempt to pet them or move them. When purchasing an exotic animal from a licensed facility, they will work with you to make sure you understand the responsibility and will usually take the animal back if you are unable to care for it.
The best way to protect yourself and others is to buy your exotic pet from a licensed facility. By doing so, you will have the opportunity to spend time with your new pet, learn about its personality, and learn what it needs to thrive. To ensure that your new pet will be as healthy and happy as possible, you should also research the facility purchasing your pet. You can find out how respectable the institution is and what they are like by doing a simple web search.
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