Graphic design by Amanda

The good

Keeping pets has its advantages towards conservation. Pet owners who believe that their pets have similar cognitive lives to humans have a positive impact on their environmental identity. This can influence people’s desire to be closer to nature and wildlife.

The bad

However, keeping pets may post problems. It can lead to the rise of illegal pet trade and raring exotic pets. This may adversely affect wildlife and encourage “wrong” values in conservation. For example, exotic pet owners may think that raring exotic pets are seen as an heroic act since they think that they are saving future wildlife populations. The act itself may make sense but the approach is wrong if owners keep the pets for their own benefit and interest.