Resolutions for Responsible Exotic Pet Ownership

Well, avoid rescuing them by buying them, anyway. Sometimes, you will run a across a pet store where the exotic pets are not cared for properly, and if you are like me, your first instinct is to take them so you can rescue them and provide proper care. Unfortunately, the store, having sold this animal to you, will be tempted to bring in another one (or more) since this one was sold, condemning more animals to the same conditions you rescued the first from. A better idea is to talk to the pet store manager about the proper care of these animals, and if that doesn't help, report them to your local humane society or animal control agency. Once you have taken care of "educating" the pet store, you can consider taking the animal, but try negotiating a much lower price (after all, the animal may need some veterinary and intensive nursing care to return it to health) -- the lost profit may discourage the store from carrying these animals.