Related Resources - Salmonella in Reptiles - Reptiles and Amphibians - A Snake for a Pet?

Elsewhere on the Web - HSUS - Reptile Trade

The Humane Society of the United States recently released a book titled "Reptiles as Pets: An Examination of the Trade in Live Reptiles in the United States." The book is touted as report on the reptile pet trade in the United States and reaches the conclusion that "that reptiles should not be kept as pets by the general public" and promises to detail all the reasons why. A synopsis and ordering information for the book is included on the HSUS site.

The HSUS is an animal advocacy group, for both domestic and wild animals, tackling issues from animal cruelty to conservation issues. They have garnered a lot of support, in many ways due to their perception as a moderate animal welfare group. In addition, many people associate HSUS with their local humane society, which in reality is not the case. HSUS has been quite a powerful and well funded organization in the US, and has had some success lobbying government for changes in laws affecting animals.

I must confess I don't pay much attention to animal welfare groups and their positions, so really wasn't aware of the depth of opposition to reptile ownership by the HSUS (this is not a new position for them). I do believe in education of pet owners about the cons of pet ownership, and have actually been accused of being overly negative about some aspects of exotic pet ownership. However, the HSUS report is so negative and so far-reaching, I couldn't go without comment on the issue.

Some of the major Points in the HSUS report on reptiles:

• Salmonella: while I can't discount the concern for the human health aspects of reptiles and Salmonella, I can't agree that the risks are too great to allow reptile ownership. I fully support the notion that every person looking to buy a reptile should be educated about the risks of Salmonella and how to deal with the risk (i.e. not told to completely avoid reptiles because of Salmonella).
• Health Risks to Domestic Livestock and Wildlife: a USDA ban on the import of African tortoises who can harbor a tick that carries the bacteria that causes heartwater disease is cited. Again, I can't argue with the logic that animals that could carry serious foreign diseases (however indirectly) shouldn't be imported, but still, this logic doesn't lead to a total ban on reptile ownership.
• Conservation Concerns: issues such as reptile collection from the wild leading to drastic population declines, habitat destruction during collection, smuggling and black market trade, and the release of pet stock to the wild (interfering with native populations) are extremely important issues, and should be addressed within the pet trade. Many reptiles are now captive bred, however.
• Inhumane Treatment: inappropriate care of reptiles by dealers, and inadequate education of new owners by pet stores are all too common, but the largest part of the solution to this is education! There will always be irresponsible owners and dealers which cause problems - and rather unfortunately, this id definitely not unique to reptiles. However, for most of the public, the issue is inadequate education and preparation for the demands of reptiles. They are not cheap and easy to care for - but unfortunately that is the perception of a lot of people.