OHS Position Statement: Wild or Exotic Animals as Companion Animals
Wild animals are native species that are not domesticated.
Exotic animals (also known as naturalized or introduced species) are animals that are not indigenous to this area and instead have been accidentally or deliberately transported by human activity.
The OHS believes that the best place for wild or exotic animals is in their natural environment because it is virtually impossible to meet the needs of a wild or exotic animal outside of its natural setting.
The OHS opposes the taming, ownership, breeding, selling or trafficking of any wild or wild exotic animal as a companion animal.
The OHS supports the humane relocation of any wild or exotic animal kept as a companion animal to an appropriate environment.
The OHS supports the City of Ottawa Animal Care and Control BY-LAW NO. 2003 – 77
which prohibits most exotic and wild animals. For more information see the following:
http://ottawa.ca/residents/animal_care/prohibited_animals/index_en.html
The OHS supports the OSPCA and the CFHS in urging the provincial and federal governments to bring in legislation banning the keeping of wildlife or exotic animals and to ban their importation and sale.
For more information on Wild or Exotic Animals as Companion Animals the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS): http://cfhs.ca/info/companion_animals
For more information regarding the risks and concerns with keeping Wild Animals as Pets see:
http://www.hsus.org, a Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) link.
Revised statement approved by the OHS Board of Directors on March 27, 2007.
