|
Glenda's Wisdom
In regards to this I wish that
inexperienced people who decide to get a wild animal could be told
a few things straight out. The reason for my list.
1. You have chosen to accept all of the
problems and responsibilities that go along with the choice of
keeping a wild animal in a captive setting.
2. Realize you may think that your new
animal is the most wonderful thing since peanut butter was invented
but law enforcement, neighbors, and the general public most likely
will not.
3. Realize every action that you do will
reflect upon every other person who cares for these animals.
4. It is your animal and you can choose
to take the risk of interacting with it up close and personal, but
it is unfair to others and puts them at risk to share your animal up
close and personal with everybody you meet.
5. You do not train a wild animal; they
train you. Although, with proper knowledge and experience you can
get some conditioned safety responses.
6. Realize that we live in a human society
and at any point in time your animal is a threat or even perceived
as a possible threat to humans that you will be in a fight for the
animals life.
7. If your animal eats your couch it is
still your responsibility.
- If your animal bites you...
- craps on your bed...
- bites a hole in your waterbed...
- rips up your carpet...
- escapes...
- pees everywhere in the house...
- doesn't play well with others...
- keeps you from going on vacation...
- doesn't like your kids, spouse, relatives...
- dents your car...
- kills the neighbor's chickens...
- kills the neighbor's cat...
- kills the neighbor's children...
- eats you out of house and home...
- gets sick and costs you lots of vet bills...
- doesn't mind you...
- doesn't like you...
- bites your private parts thinking it was a chicken neck...
- chews on a shot gun shell because you forgot to put it up...
- runs around the room screaming and shitting...
- is smarter than you...
I am sure that all of you could add to this
list as well. I think it would make an interesting list for all
breeders to give to potential new owners. I don't know how any of
this will fit in with things but I think all of us adding to this
list and giving it as a separate bit of info might be a good thing.
I know that I never could have imagined all of the things that my
animals have done over the years and a combined list like this would
give folks a very real view into the wonderful world of owning wild
critter. :)
Glenda L. Ulery, Executive Director
Noah's Exotic Wildlife Shelter
|
