Advocacy

ANIMALS HAVE FEELINGS, TOO

"...every living creature on earth is special."

The Secret Life of Bees
Sue Monk Kidd

~~ Buying Animals ~~

When animals become objects of commerce
they can begin and end up in environments
that may be significantly different
from their natural environment, and/or
significantly confining or solitary.

Commonly purchased pets include
birds, rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas,
guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters,
mice, rats, lizards, turtles,
snakes, tarantulas, scorpions,
exotic or otherwise wild animals.

The flight of birds
is one of their most beautiful attributes.
And most birds travel in groups.
Yet, often, purchased birds live their lives
alone and confined to small cages.

Rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, gerbils,
chinchillas, hamsters, mice, and rats
cover much ground in the wild.
Yet, these animals, when purchased as pets,
can spend years in small enclosures
with little to do besides eat and sleep,
with little room to move around in,
and with little or no companionship.

Even turtles travel long distances
when not confined to an aquarium.

It goes without saying
that exotic animals such as
leopards and other large cats,
chimpanzies and other primates,
snakes, lizards, spiders, scorpions, etc.
should never be purchased as pets.
Too many are abandoned or suffer
neglect and other injustices
as "pets".

Please assist pet stores, breeders,
exotic animal brokers, etc.
not to sell animals
by not purchasing animals from them.
The sale of animals
encourages the practice
of bringing animals into the world,
or kidnapping them from their own world,
for the sole purpose of making money.

Much thanks to those who
rescue and adopt animals,
and provide wonderful, caring,
interactive and spacious
environments for them.