Why captive bred is not the solution

Animals bred in captivity still suffer the same welfare problems as those taken from the wild and are just as likely to be abandoned once the novelty wears off or owners can’t keep up with the expense and commitment. Captive-bred is not the same as domesticated and these animals are still damaged by their confinement. They have the same instincts and needs as those born in the wild.

Wild animals are not domesticated simply by being captive born or hand-raised. It's a different story with dogs and cats, who have been domesticated by selective breeding for desired traits over thousands of years. These special animal companions depend on humans for food, shelter, veterinary care, and affection. Wild animals, by nature, are self-sufficient and fare best without our interference. The instinctive behavior of these animals makes them unsuitable as pets.

Even the legal trade in captive-bred animals can create a market for taking animals from the wild, when demand outstrips supply - after a smuggler was caught in Madagascar with 300 tortoises, a government official said: “If buyers continue to exist, then collectors will continue to exist in Madagascar.”

'Parrots are not domesticated creatures and even captive bred birds retain all their wild-type behavioural needs. In the wild, parrots live as pairs within a large flock but captive parrots often live alone, are caged and denied flight."

Greg Glendell, bird behaviourist.



Many thanks to The Captive Animals' Protection Society for the above information which is taken from their 'Exotic Animals are Not Pets' factsheet. We highly recommend you visit http://www.captiveanimals.org/images/Exotic%20pet%20factsheet.pdf and read this factsheet in full in its original format. Please support CAPS and their invaluable work by visiting their website at http://www.captiveanimals.org and seeing how you can help.

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