In mid-December, authorities in Texas staged a mass seizure of thousands of exotic animals crammed into unimaginable living conditions at U.S. Global Exotics in Arlington, a suburb of Fort Worth. U.S. Global Exotics is a major importer of exotic reptiles and mammals for the pet trade, supplying pet shops around the globe, including U.S. pet shop chains Petland, Petco, and PETsMART.
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After a 7-day hearing, Municipal Judge Michael Smith has divested the owners of U.S. Global Exotics of more than 26,000 animals. The City of Arlington has been given custody of the animals that include including wallabies, sloths, ringtail lemurs, kinkajous, coatimundis, and countless other animals and reptiles.
Hoping to avoid this situation from ever happening again, Born Free USA was contacted by the City of Arlington for information on our model pet shop and animal dealer ordinance, which we provided.
Born Free USA works to strengthen laws governing animal dealers and encourages those who care about animals not to patronize stores that sell any live animals. The situation at U.S. Global Exotics reinforces our message that animals should not be treated like commodities and that wildlife should be left in the wild.
For an operation of this size and magnitude, reports indicate that there were just three people responsible for the care of these animals. It’s not hard to understand that suffering and neglect were the norm. (Note: Some of these images are quite graphic, and discretion should be observed in viewing them.)
How senseless to capture wild creatures from their native habitats when we struggle to reduce the numbers of perfectly adoptable domestic animals (dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits, etc.) that die in our nation’s shelters every year for lack of a good home.
2009 proved to be a particularly tragic year for unwanted domestic pets due to the worldwide economic downturn.
Oh, the toll it takes on the pitiful shelter workers!
Please be thoughtful about the species of animal you bring into your life.
I’m sure that having a coatimundi or ringtail lemur sounds truly cool, but think beyond your selfish want. These animals are not domesticated.
You cannot provide for their needs as they would provide for themselves in the wild. It’s beyond the basics; they are complex creatures with specific behavioral needs, and captivity stifles those behaviors.
If you agree that the exotic pet trade is a sham, please let your voice be heard. Our lawmakers need to hear from you.
They need to know that this issue is important and it needs to be addressed.
We need your help to end the horrible exploitation of our wild creatures.
’Til next time,
Susan