• Home
  • TRAINING FOR BEGINNERS
    • EXERCISES
    • PETS
  • CBD
  • PRODUCTS
  • TRENDING
  • PET NEWS
  • PET TRAVEL
  • Advertise Here
No Result
View All Result
Plugin Install : Cart Icon need WooCommerce plugin to be installed.
  • Home
  • TRAINING FOR BEGINNERS
    • EXERCISES
    • PETS
  • CBD
  • PRODUCTS
  • TRENDING
  • PET NEWS
  • PET TRAVEL
  • Advertise Here
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home PETS

Animal Advocates Raise Flag About Exotic Pet Trend on Long Island

Doggone Well Staff by Doggone Well Staff
October 29, 2024
in PETS
38 1
0
Animal Advocates Raise Flag About Exotic Pet Trend on Long Island
32
SHARES
356
VIEWS
Share on TwitterShare on Facebook
Dog Food topper - Getquelle365


Exotic pets are becoming more common on Long Island, to the detriment of the animals and owners alike.

Sign up for our LI Press email newsletter to get news, updates, and local insights delivered straight to your inbox!

The exotic pet trade has become an alarming trend, driven largely by social media and wildlife encounters that blur the lines between wild animals and household pets. 

According to John Di Leonardo, President and Executive Director of Humane Long Island, seemingly innocent interactions are misleading the public into believing wild animals can live as pets. 

“When people see wild animals being touched and hand-fed, whether on social media or at a zoo, they are tricked into believing that these animals are somehow tame or even domesticated,” he said. 

Dog Food topper - Getquelle365

But many of these animals are artificially manipulated through harmful practices such as drugging, physical abuse, or starvation to make them appear docile. This misconception has spurred a demand for a wide range of exotic pets, both legal and illegal. 

“Over the past year, Humane Long Island has shut down an unlawfully operated sloth encounter, worked with authorities to confiscate pythons, a caiman, and a wallaby from the Coney Island boardwalk, and assisted with the surrender of dozens of baby turtles,” Di Leonardo recalled. 

Other cases include removing sick prairie dogs, parrots, a South American ostrich, monitor lizards, and an African Land Snail from hoarder homes.

While many of these animals are sold illegally, others are obtained through legal channels, often from stores like Petco or PetSmart, due to lax regulations. In New York State, wild animals are technically illegal to keep as pets, but the legal definition only applies to native wildlife and certain dangerous species like lions, tigers, or venomous reptiles. As a result, many exotic animals slip through the regulatory cracks, becoming easy targets for corrupt wildlife dealers.

Furthermore, many of these exotic pets, acquired as babies when they are cute and manageable, grow into wild, dangerous creatures that are expensive and difficult to care for. As a result, they are often abandoned or hoarded in unsafe conditions. 

While it is illegal and punishable by up to a year in jail in New York State to abandon a wild animal, those that are released, either accidentally or deliberately, pose a threat to local ecosystems. Invasive species like the red-eared slider turtle, commonly sold illegally as babies, are out-competing native species like the box turtle, which is now threatened with extinction in New York. Other invasive species, like pythons and Nile monitor lizards, have devastated ecosystems in places like the Everglades. 

“The owner of Sloth Encounters was arrested last year after we found him selling Nile monitors in his now-shuttered Hauppauge store,” said Di Leonardo. 

To combat illegal exotic pet sales, Di Leonardo urges the public to report suspicious activity. 

“If you see something, say something,” he said.

Local SPCAs or humane societies can assist in investigating exotic pet cases, and Humane Long Island is ready to help from Manhattan to Montauk. Individuals who have been approached, considered purchasing or who have purchased an exotic animal illegally should not panic. Humane Long Island can help take down traffickers and place animals in safe, licensed sanctuaries where they can live a more natural life. 

Beyond individual action, legislative changes are critical to protecting both animals and the public. While current New York State laws are insufficient, state Sen. Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood) and state Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal have introduced legislation to expand the list of regulated animals. This bill, if passed, would include exotic species like sloths, capybaras, and kangaroos, ensuring better protection and regulation. 

“Passing this legislation in the next session is critical to protect animals who are clearly wild and have no place in people’s homes,” said Di Leonardo.

In the end, the solution to the exotic pet problem lies in education, legislation, and a fundamental respect for wildlife. As Di Leonardo always said, “Wild animals belong in the wild. Birds don’t want to live in a cage, fish don’t want to swim in a bowl, and sloths don’t want to be handled.” 

By understanding this, we can help protect animals and prevent the harmful consequences of the exotic pet trade.



Source link

Dog Food topper - Getquelle365
Tags: advocatesAnimalDog as PetexoticflagIslandLongRaisetrend
Tweet8Share13Share3Share
Previous Post

Workers at pet food factory in Buffalo go on strike

Next Post

Avoid Halloween Pet Disasters With These Important Tips

Doggone Well Staff

Doggone Well Staff

Next Post
Avoid Halloween Pet Disasters With These Important Tips

Avoid Halloween Pet Disasters With These Important Tips

Youtube Channel

Currently Playing

Jealous Dog Want Attention Compilation NEW

Jealous Dog Want Attention Compilation NEW

00:06:28

Best Of Funny Guilty Dog Compilation 2014

00:05:32

Best Dog Birthday Surprise: DIY Ball Pit for Maymo

00:01:39

How a little microchip changed this dog's life!!! Please share this important video. #dog

00:05:48

Follow Our Page

Popular Post

    Follow Us

    Category

    • CBD
    • EXERCISES
    • Home
    • NEW POSTS
    • PET NEWS
    • PET TRAVEL
    • PETS
    • PRODUCTS
    • TRAINING FOR BEGINNERS
    • TRENDING

    Tag Cloud

    Adoption Animal Animals Attack breeds Care Cat Cats County Day Death dog Dog as Pet Dog Owner dogs Family Fire food health Home house Humane Life Local Love Man Meet news Owners Park people Pets Police Puppy Rescue Safe Shelter Society Stray Tips Top Vet Ways Week Woman

    Recent News

    5 of the best dog breeds for first-time owners – including super-loving pup that’s super easy to train & loves kids

    5 of the best dog breeds for first-time owners – including super-loving pup that’s super easy to train & loves kids

    June 14, 2025
    How Toothless evolved for the new ‘How to Train Your Dragon’

    How Toothless evolved for the new ‘How to Train Your Dragon’

    June 14, 2025
    • DMCA
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Contact Us
    • Cookie Privacy Policy

    © 2022 Doggone Well - doggone well.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • TRAINING FOR BEGINNERS
      • EXERCISES
      • PETS
    • CBD
    • PRODUCTS
    • TRENDING
    • PET NEWS
    • PET TRAVEL
    • Advertise Here

    © 2022 Doggone Well - doggone well.

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In