Fighting the deadly exotic pet trade to keep wild animals where they belong – in the wild
Wildlife. Not pets
Each year, millions of wild animals are captured from their natural habitats or born into captivity, just to become pets. Our houses are no home for a wild animal. Learn how we’re tackling it
Each year, millions of wild animals are captured from their natural habitats or born into captivity, just to become pets. Our houses are no home for a wild animal. Learn how we’re tackling it
No wild animal can have its needs entirely met when kept as a pet
Snakes, parrots, iguanas, tortoises, and even otters – these are just some of the species suffering as pets around the world.
There are legal and illegal sides to the exotic pet trade. But legality doesn’t matter; captive-bred or wild caught – it’s all cruel. And the trade for keeping exotic animals as pets is growing fast.
No wild animal can have its needs entirely met when kept as a pet. In a home, there is no way to replicate the space and freedom they would have in the wild.
Many are kept in spaces vastly smaller than their natural habitats, meaning they can’t perform normal behaviours. Often, exotic pets don’t receive the correct nutrition, even if owners try their best to feed them properly.
Exotic pets and human health
Beyond the terrible suffering of wild animals, this global trade is endangering people too. Pandemics like coronavirus are happening because we exploit wildlife.
We are calling on governments across the globe to call for an end to the global wildlife trade.
Please help us by making a #Promise4Wildlife, committing not to buy wild animals as pets. Together, we can end this cruel trade.
Ball pythons on display at an expo. They belong in the wild, not displayed like items in a shop
Ball pythons documentary
Our groundbreaking research has revealed the true depths of suffering that ball pythons endure because of the global wildlife trade.
Read more
