Graphic design by Amanda
Pet keeping, including wild animals, has a long history dating back thousands of years ago. Historically, acquiring pets involved taking local wildlife in various destructive ways, for example, via food inducements or killing of parents. Despite the harm done during the acquisition of some of these early pets, these animals were largely at liberty to roam between their natural habitat and human “captivity” . Thus, during prehistorical times this was probably often in accordance with their natural behaviors. Fast forward to the twentieth century, it has been argued that modern pet sourcing are more welfare-negative than ancient methods due to the gross deprivation of freedoms due to to these animals being caged.
Regardless, there has also been a greater understanding and knowledge in understanding the welfare of both free-roaming and captive wild animals. This gives rise to local, national, and global legislative frameworks and approaches designed to avoid activities that are inhumane, ecologically unsustainable, and that threaten public health and safety. Some examples include the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, International Air Transport Association guidelines, World Organisation for Animal Health, and various animal welfare acts.
However, regardless of the raft and diversity of regulations in operation, all concerns and problems associated with exotic pet trading in particular remain and indeed continue to grow.