How to Adopt an Exotic Pet
While dogs and cats account for the majority of pets in any given household, some people gravitate to more unusual and exotic animals. A wide variety of animal species fall under the classification of exotic, including frogs, tarantulas, snakes and prairie dogs. With increasing frequency, these types of pets are becoming available for adoption at animal shelters and pet stores. Exotic pets require special care and housing, and a certain level of research should be conducted before adopting an exotic pet.
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Things You'll Need
- Cage/habitat, other supplies
- Letter from landlord, if necessary
- State permit/license, if necessary
Instructions
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Research the type of exotic pet that you think you would like to own so that you know exactly what to expect when you bring it into your home. Use the Internet to consult sites like Animal-World.com, which provides pet care sheets for different classifications of exotic animals, like raccoons. Also, contact some breeders via telephone to ask questions about the care and health needs of specific exotic animals. In both instances, pay particular attention to housing and feeding requirements, which will vary based on animal.
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Check to see if there are any state regulations pertaining to exotic pets in your area and acquire any of the necessary permits or licenses required to own an exotic pet. Call various governmental agencies, including the health department and department of wildlife in your state, or contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture to review the laws pertaining to ownership of exotic pets. In addition, the website BornFreeUSA.org provides a listing of state laws relating to the private possession of exotic animals.
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Contact local rescue centers and animal shelters to see if there are any exotic animals in need of a home. Many shelters typically have a good selection of guinea pigs, mice, rabbits and other small mammals on a regular basis. Species-specific rescue groups can offer help locating available reptiles and birds, and certain websites can help you locate adoptable exotics in your geographic region (see Resources).
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Surf the Petfinder.com website, which allows you to customize your search based on type of exotic animal, including guinea pig, ferret and various species of birds, to name a few. You may have to travel further to adopt an exotic pet found through this site, as it contains links to numerous shelters and rescue groups across the country. But, it also provides a clear picture of rescue groups specializing in exotics.
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Call breeders and exotic pet associations to see if any adoptable pets are available through those channels. Some of these groups might allow you to place a classified ad on their website, alerting members to your particular interest. You can find contact information for various breeders and associations in magazines and books devoted to exotic pets sold at retailers like PetSmart and Borders Books. You can also find these resources through the The National Alternative Pet Association.
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Prepare your home for your new exotic pet before you bring it home. Make sure a suitable habitat is positioned in a safe location out of direct sunlight. According to ExoticPetAdoption.com, having everything in place before the animal arrives will make it feel more comfortable and make the move less stressful.
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Complete the paperwork required by the organization from where you are adopting your new exotic pet.
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Tips & Warnings
If you rent your apartment or home, pay attention to any pet restrictions mandated by your landlord or leasing company. Some won't allow pets like rabbits or mice because they believe they will chew through wires or cause other damage to the unit.
Many exotic animals can transmit disease to humans. Carefully wash your hands after handling reptiles, which can carry salmonella, or rodents, which can transmit external parasites to humans.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit prairie dog image by Grzegorz Kwolek from Fotolia.com
