Exotic pets of all kinds can be fascinating, entertaining creatures that quickly capture the hearts and minds of owners, and they can make excellent conversation pieces when trying to impress friends. Trouble is as with any pet, exotic pet ownership isn't just about fun and games, and it behooves those interested in acquiring such an animal to give careful consideration to the drawbacks involved, as well as the pluses.
The most important question to ask is simply this: What is my motivation for getting this pet? If you are thinking of an exotic pet as a "novelty item"; along the same lines as glow in the dark nail polish or a mood ring,m then perhaps you'd best make do with a pet rock. Trust me, once the cute factor, or the "it's so ugly it's cute" factor wears off and the creature has stopped being amusing, you're going to be stuck with the reality of caring for this pet for the rest of its life and that can quickly become a chore.
So to help you along the road to deciding if you really do want an exotic pet, and what kind of pet you would like, here are a few rules to follow:
Guidelines for Deciding if an Exotic Pet is Right for You
- The first and most important thing you must do when you begin thinking of
adopting an exotic pet is to take some time to sit down and consider the
consequences of doing so. Review your lifestyle, available spare time, and
money to determine if such a pet is really going to fit into your family. Will
you have the resources to properly care for this pet, and will you be able to
give it the attention it requires?
- Next, carefully choose the type of pet that best suits your needs and will
be able to coexist with you and your family in a happy, healthy
environment.
- Once you have chosen your pet, do not rush out immediately and get it.
First, do some reading, either online, at the library, or buy some books and
learn all you can about this particular animal. (Also, keep in mind that
certain animals carry diseases that can be passed on to humans.) So be
careful selecting your new pet.
- Then do some legal research and find out if the type of pet you want is
legal to own in your state, and what local laws say about owning the
exotic pet. Above all, never ignore the law! They will catch you.
You will be fined. Maybe even forced to give up the pet. Do not leave
yourself open to such problems and the potential loss that may result.
- Purchase all the necessary supplies before you purchase the pet. That
includes the food it will eat, the housing it will require, any toys, etc.
Have all of this ready and available for when you bring the pet home in
order to make the transition to its new environment as easy as possible.
No matter how much planning and preparation you put into your decision to get an exotic pet, it is a sad fact of life that sometimes these adoptions do not work out, and the pet must be given up. There is a world of difference between these types of pets and your average dog or cat, and unanticipated problems can and do turn up. However, normally things work out okay, and your new pet will become a valuable addition to your life.
