At the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty (SSPCA) to Animals, the “Don’t Pet Me” campaign brings attention to the disturbing wild animal pet trade.
Recently, officers from the humane organization were notified by concerned neighbors in East Lothian, Scotland, about a young marmoset living in a bird cage. The four-year-old monkey named Steve was rescued and found to have been stressed from constant handling as well as substantially underweight.
Officers from the SSPCA later reported Steve had developed an addiction to sugar from constantly being fed marshmallows by his owner. Veterinarians slowly helped Steve withdraw from the unhealthy habit – taking six-weeks for Steve to recuperate.
Steve has since been transferred to a monkey sanctuary in England.
According to the campaign, many people are unaware of the growing trend of keeping wild animals in Scotland and likely other countries, including the United States. Wild animals may look cute, but their needs are frequently unknown by their owners, and all too often the animals suffer from serious health issues because of lack of proper nutrition and general care.
Marmosets are highly intelligent, social primates that need space, stimulation, and the companionship of their own kind.
The Born Free Foundation launched the new campaign alongside OneKind and Scottish SPCA to raise awareness of the widespread trade in and keeping of wild animals as pets in Scotland. The Don’t Pet Me campaign urges the Scottish Government to introduce a list of permitted species that can have their needs met in captivity.
Currently, wild animals are suffering as “exotic pets” in homes across Scotland, and at present, there are few restrictions on which species can be kept as pets in Scotland.
Wild animals deserve to thrive in their natural habitats. Can we also add, the exotic pet trade knows no geographic boundaries. No matter where you live, if you see something say something.
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