USARK Alert: Arlington County, VA

[FlynnTheBP]

Not that I am supporting ALL of this - however wild animals should never be kept as pets. I am a Va native and have snakes and also have raised 100's of wild animals.

Va is having issues with people breeding "designer" foxes and wolf-hybrids that people then dump or can't care for which makes me furious, also people watch the cute raccoons and such on youtube then when they find one as a baby they decide to keep it instead of turning it over to wildlife authorities. Witch in the end leads to the animal imprinting / becoming aggressive then being euthanized. Around the start of fall someone released a fenic fox (neighbor watched them toss it out the back door) because it was "messy". Another 'reptile collector' here had several alligators outside but never heated their pool this winter- animal control was called when they started to rot and someone finally noticed.

The vague language is most likely trying to encompass a broad range of animals that they just don't have time or inclination to list by the species. I also work in the exotic veterinary / wildlife field and the amount of stupid people trying to own these kinds of animals sickens me - especially when I see hedgehogs and sugar gliders crippled to the point of self-mutilation from malnutrition and improper care. I would rather these animals be banned than continue to allow them to be easily available pets.

No one needs these animals as pets, nor should anyone be able to keep them. Those of you on here that are responsible owners - would you rather have to do the responsible thing by law and register your pet / pay a license fee (which will discourage people who "just like big cool snakes / i wanna tiger" or have them available to every person who wants one on a whim and can't /is unwilling to care for it?? As for banning wild animals native to Virginia, that makes sense - especially since they are banning three of the top 6 rabies vectors (fox / skunk / raccoon). It is hard enough to get the public to turn over wild animals that they have "rescued" without them thinking it is ok for them to be pets, at least this way there is a law to quote.

*end rant* (could keep going, but then I'd just make more people mad)

I'm just going to be the devil's advocate here and say that technically most snakes count as exotic pets. Also, there are plenty of responsible exotic owners that never get into the media's spotlight. Anyone with money can pay a license fee. Money is not always an indicator of qualification. Skunks also make great pets, and are not difficult to take care of if you put in any effort. Rabies is a problem, but dogs can also get rabies. There are vaccinations to prevent this. I'm not saying that anyone should be able to go out and get a tiger, but there needs to be some thought put in. I also really hope that as an exotic vet (or whatever you do in this field), you don't judge owners so harshly. If I brought my animal to you and was later called "stupid" behind my back, I can guarantee you I wouldn't be too happy about it. I understand where you are coming from, but you are painting everyone with the same brush stroke. A responsible exotic owner should not be punished for the actions of an irresponsible one. Just my opinion, and I'm fine with other people not agreeing.