[FEL-L] Exotic pet rescue article

[Chufff at aol.com]

 After exotic pets are rescued, what next?

 By Kris Axtman, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor Wed Jul 26, 
4:00 AM ET


 HOUSTON - Ivan is a playful, 7-year-old cat – a "sweet boy," according to 
the Houston SPCA. He desperately needed a home, but he was never featured on the 
animal-protection agency's "pick of the litter" Web page.

That's because the nearly 400-pound mixed-breed tiger is too big to roam 
around a private house or backyard – just the situation he was rescued from this 
spring.
 Recently, Ivan was given refuge at a Florida animal sanctuary after months 
of temporary shelter at the Houston Zoo. He is one of a large group of exotic 
animals confiscated from a ranch in Gonzales County, Texas, and one of the few 
so far to have found a permanent home.
 The plight of these animals highlights the increasing problem of private 
citizens keeping wild animals as pets – and the even larger problem of what to do 
with them after authorities seize them.
 "Ten years ago, it was a rare thing for us to house a tiger or an African 
lion, but it has become a regular part of the work we do," says Patricia Mercer, 
president of the Houston SPCA. "The laws are so lax and the animals so easy 
to come by, it's like trying to put your finger in the dike to hold back these 
large numbers of animals living in backyards and apartments."
 Six years ago, the Houston SPCA built large enclosures as the number of 
confiscated wild animals began to rise. These days, every cage is filled and 
plenty of energy expended on finding appropriate homes.
 The Internet is a major factor in the rapid increase in private ownership of 
exotic animals, experts say. It makes the animals much easier to find and 
much cheaper to buy. A decade ago, for instance, a tiger cub might cost $10,000, 
but today can be found for as little as $500.
 The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 15,000 monkeys and as 
many as 15,000 big cats – 5,000 to 7,000 of which are tigers – are being 
kept as pets in the US.
 "That's more than there are tigers left in the wild," says Richard Farinato, 
director of the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison, Texas, and a 
captive-wildlife expert with the Humane Society.
 In Boston, for example, zoo authorities have reported a surge in overnight 
drop-offs of exotic pets by owners who were evidently overwhelmed by caring for 
the specialized animals.
 In addition, people keep an estimated 300,000 wolf hybrids – several of 
which mauled their owner to death last week in Pennsylvania. Even wild animals 
that are bred in captivity, experts say, are dangerous and can attack 
unexpectedly.
 In April, for example, a 500-pound Bengal tiger being kept as a pet attacked 
and killed its owner in Minnesota. In December, celebrity heiress Paris 
Hilton was attacked by her pet kinkajou, which she had taken shopping with her in 
Los Angeles. She purchased the raccoon-related animal in Las Vegas and had to 
get rid of it when she learned it is illegal to have exotic pets in California 
without a permit.
 Earlier this month, the Senate approved the Captive Primate Safety Act, whic
h seeks to end the interstate and foreign trade in primates. The bill is 
currently being considered by the House of Representatives. Congress enacted a 
similar measure in 2003 for lions, tigers, and other big cats.
 But for the most part, the issue has been left to the states.
 Currently, 35 states have some kind of regulation in place governing the 
sale, possession, or use of captive wild animals – though 15 have none 
whatsoever.
 Many people who buy exotic animals and have them shipped to their homes 
don't know what federal and state laws govern their ownership and aren't told by 
the seller.
 Last month, for example, a mother in Manchester, N.H., had a wallaby 
confiscated from her home by the state fish and game department. New Hampshire law 
requires that anyone owning an exotic animal be licensed as an exhibitor.
 The woman had purchased the wallaby for $1,500 over the Internet as a 
graduation gift for her daughter, and could face both state and federal fines.
 Even with tough laws, enforcement is often difficult because many cities 
don't have the resources or ability to house such large animals.
 Gonzales County, for instance, knew about the 11 bears, two tigers, and one 
macaw for a couple years, but didn't have the means to transport and house 
them. So the rural county eventually called the more populous Harris County for 
help. But even for large municipalities, it's becoming increasingly difficult 
to find homes for confiscated animals because of their growing numbers.
 "We are constantly harassing zoos and sanctuaries," says Ms. Mercer. "But 
the reality is there is no place over the rainbow for these animals." From the 
Gonzales group, eight bears – including two grizzlies – are still awaiting 
homes. Mercer says she will not euthanize the wild animals, as is routinely done 
with dogs and cats at the shelter after a certain length of time, no matter 
how long it takes to find them a home.
 But Mr. Farinato says officials should consider euthanasia – especially as 
numbers grow.
 "Nobody wants to face the idea, and there is great resistance to it because 
we think these animals are somehow different. But, in reality, there is no 
difference," Farinato says.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20060726/ts_csm/aexotic
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.breuckman.com/pipermail/felines-l/attachments/20060727/961adc0f/attachment.html