Pet Keeping Petitions Need Greater Support

A petition, supported by keepers of captive exotic breeds, which calls for a governmental shift in balance towards supporting rather than condemning the keeping of exotic animals, passed its 800 signature marker earlier this week. Its backers say it needs much more support from the UK pet industry.

The petition expresses concern that with increased legislation and codes of practice set out by the new Animal Welfare Act, there should no longer be any reason for the government to encourage the activities of those organisations opposed to the keeping of exotics.

It was launched earlier this year by Rory Matier of the Specialist Keepers Association and has gained some backing from private keepers, traders, manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers of exotics and exotics products.

Many previous sector-specific petitions generated from within the UK pet industry have failed to garner telling support. In March a petition to the Prime Minister simply entitled 'Support Pet Keeping', submitted by Chris Newman of the Federation of Companion Animal Societies, (Focas) closed after one year - disappointingly, with fewer than 900 signatures.

Those in the exotics-keeping world warn that it is not just their own fancies that are under threat. Mamy lobbying organisations opposed to the keeping of reptiles and captive bred birds are also seeking greater control over, and even outrightly opposed to the keeping of other domesticated companion animals, they say. It is in the interests of the pet industry as a whole to make an effort to get behind its diverse minority sectors and give them the voice they need.

So, the 'Support private exotic captive care keepers' petition can be signed here.