Some organizations home educational animals, including rescued ones that cannot be returned to the wild for various reasons. Our parent organization, the BOS Foundation, for example, does support zoos that maintain a high level of animal welfare, provide vital educational outreach, and contribute to conservation in the wild. It is important to check that any venues or zoos you attend have appropriate certifications to uphold a high standard of animal welfare within their facilities.

Reptiles, sugar gliders, and chinchillas are considered exotic pets, a misleading term because they are not pets but wild animals. Other than dogs, cats, and farm animals, they are not domesticated, meaning they didn't undergo a selective breeding process that takes place over thousands of years and changes the animal's appearance and behavior. Even with the best intentions, the natural needs these wild animals require can't be met in a household setting. Sugar Gliders, for example, live in large family groups and enjoy interacting and grooming with each other in the wild. Because of their complex needs, they are not appropriate pets.

In addition, the journey for an animal in the exotic pet trade is cruel and often deadly. Either poached from the wild or bred in captivity, exotic pets are usually shipped long distances before reaching their destination. Sadly, it is thought that as many as four out of five animals caught in the illegal wildlife trade will die in transit or within a year in captivity (World Animal Protection).
The exact number of affected great apes is unknown, but orangutans make up most of the victims, particularly babies. They are being illegally smuggled domestically and out of south-east Asia to countries around the world for use as pets.

Originally attracted by heartwarming social media ads and their cute or exotic appearance, a lot of pet owners are eventually overwhelmed with providing proper care. The result: Many exotic pets end up suffering in not species-appropriate conditions, or their owners ‘discard’ them in an ecosystem they don’t belong, putting them and the native biodiversity at risk. Furthermore, exotic pets can carry diseases that jump from animals to humans. Salmonellosis is just one of many zoonotic diseases that jeopardize millions of people’s health. Covid-19 is also suspected to have been a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans from an illegally trafficked wild animal.

Please report any type of suspected animal cruelty immediately as it may save an animal’s life. All Social Media platforms have a ‘Report’ button. Simply press it and follow the instructions.

US:
In addition, you can report animal cruelty on the internet to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center (http://www.ic3.gov/). Other organizations you can contact are the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States.

UK:
In addition, you can report animal cruelty to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

Sadly, animal cruelty is not just a problem related to wildlife. Even though domesticated animals like dogs and cats have been bred for generations to live amongst humans, too many must spend their lives in heartbreaking conditions. Their owners neglect, abuse and ‘discard’ them. If you witness or suspect any animal cruelty, please report it immediately. Call your local animal control agency:

UK: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

USA: Humane Society of the United States.

Providing them with as many details as possible, like dates, times, and, if possible, videos and images from a cell phone. All this information can help the respective agencies during any investigation they may do to stop the cruelty.