๐—–๐—”๐—ฅ๐—œ๐—ก๐—š ๐—™๐—ข๐—ฅ ๐—ฆ๐— ๐—”๐—Ÿ๐—Ÿ ๐—”๐—ก๐—œ๐— ๐—”๐—Ÿ๐—ฆ

There is a broad variety of small animals, birds and reptiles all with different requirements:

– BIRDS

– EXOTICS

– FISH

– GERBILS

– GUINEA PIGS

– HAMSTERS

– MICE

– PARROTS

– RABBITS

– RATS

– REPTILES

๐—ฆ๐—˜๐—ก๐—ง๐—œ๐—˜๐—ก๐—–๐—˜

There is no doubt with all the research which has taken place over many decades that all animals are now irrevocably known to be sentient and most are highly intelligent and bond with humans.

We also refer you to the UK for your interest which has now extended that recognition in law (โ€œโ€ฆ๐ผ๐‘š๐‘๐‘œ๐‘Ÿ๐‘ก๐‘Ž๐‘›๐‘ก๐‘™๐‘ฆ, ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’ ๐ต๐‘–๐‘™๐‘™ ๐‘Ž๐‘™๐‘ ๐‘œ ๐‘Ÿ๐‘’๐‘๐‘œ๐‘”๐‘›๐‘–๐‘ ๐‘’๐‘  ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘Ž๐‘ก, ๐‘Ž๐‘™๐‘œ๐‘›๐‘”๐‘ ๐‘–๐‘‘๐‘’ ๐‘ฃ๐‘’๐‘Ÿ๐‘ก๐‘’๐‘๐‘Ÿ๐‘Ž๐‘ก๐‘’๐‘ , ๐‘‘๐‘’๐‘๐‘Ž๐‘๐‘œ๐‘‘ ๐‘๐‘Ÿ๐‘ข๐‘ ๐‘ก๐‘Ž๐‘๐‘’๐‘Ž๐‘›๐‘  (๐‘๐‘Ÿ๐‘Ž๐‘๐‘ , ๐‘™๐‘œ๐‘๐‘ ๐‘ก๐‘’๐‘Ÿ๐‘  ๐‘Ž๐‘›๐‘‘ ๐‘๐‘Ÿ๐‘Ž๐‘ค๐‘›๐‘  ๐‘’๐‘ก๐‘.) ๐‘Ž๐‘›๐‘‘ ๐‘๐‘’๐‘โ„Ž๐‘Ž๐‘™๐‘œ๐‘๐‘œ๐‘‘ ๐‘š๐‘œ๐‘™๐‘™๐‘ข๐‘ ๐‘๐‘  (๐‘œ๐‘๐‘ก๐‘œ๐‘๐‘ข๐‘  ๐‘Ž๐‘›๐‘‘ ๐‘ ๐‘ž๐‘ข๐‘–๐‘‘ ๐‘’๐‘ก๐‘.) ๐‘Ž๐‘Ÿ๐‘’ ๐‘Ž๐‘™๐‘ ๐‘œ ๐‘ ๐‘’๐‘›๐‘ก๐‘–๐‘’๐‘›๐‘ก.โ€)

๐—Ÿ๐—˜๐—š๐—”๐—Ÿ

While we do not encourage the keeping of wild animals, whether indigenous or exotic, one must check with Nature Conservation as to the permits required for different types of animals.

๐—ž๐—ก๐—ข๐—ช๐—Ÿ๐—˜๐——๐—š๐—˜ ๐—”๐—ก๐—— ๐—–๐—ข๐— ๐— ๐—œ๐—ง๐— ๐—˜๐—ก๐—ง

No matter what animal, bird or fish you choose, you are their guardian and responsible for their best interests.

Do your due diligence, and research your choice of species (before purchasing) thoroughly, bearing in mind that when dealing with wildlife born in captivity that they retain their natural behavioural requirements.

Consider the type of commitment you can or are prepared to invest in the keeping and care of the animal/s which you want and also take into account their lifespans.

๐—˜๐—ซ๐—ข๐—ง๐—œ๐—–๐—ฆ

An exotic is any animal, fish, bird or reptile not indigenous to a country (e.g. South Africa). They often require highly specialised care and equipment to simulate the conditions of the country from which the species originates.

๐—™๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—›

Keeping fish for instance is not just a matter of placing them in any tank. For example, one must carefully choose as to whether sand or gravel is more suitable for your fish, the type of pump to ensure consistent reliable oxygenation, temperature maintenance, natural health of the tank with appropriate species, the types of fish to mix, suitable plants and making the tank interesting for the fish.

Outside ponds also require the same great deal of care and hardy fish capable of withstanding different temperatures.

๐—–๐—”๐—š๐—˜๐—— ๐—”๐—ก๐—œ๐— ๐—”๐—Ÿ๐—ฆ ๐—”๐—ก๐—— ๐—•๐—œ๐—ฅ๐——๐—ฆ

Ensure that

– you feed your pet the correct food and know what foods are toxic and to avoid;

– your pet always has fresh water available;

– you place the cage (hutches must be sheltered from the weather) where the animal/bird will be most comfortable;

– you place the cage where there is human activity to minimise boredom;

– you have accessories and toys in the cage for behavioural enrichment;

– clean cages daily but no longer than a week between cleaning;

– create a safe, secure space for parrots and other birds to have an exercise flight daily or every few days;

– and ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—ถ๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜๐—น๐˜†, spend time interacting with your pet, especially birds such as parrots and budgerigars.

๐——๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—–๐—Ÿ๐—”๐—œ๐— ๐—˜๐—ฅ

This article is produced by SAVetshops, in the interest of informing people and sharing information. It is not considered a reference article or a definitive medical reference. Source references are listed below and any person wishing to know more should consult these references, their local vet, state health service or doctor.

๐—ช๐—œ๐—ง๐—› ๐—ง๐—›๐—”๐—ก๐—ž๐—ฆ ๐—ง๐—ข ๐—ง๐—›๐—˜ ๐—™๐—ข๐—Ÿ๐—Ÿ๐—ข๐—ช๐—œ๐—ก๐—š ๐—ฆ๐—ข๐—จ๐—ฅ๐—–๐—˜๐—ฆ:

Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, Dr Huw Golledge, Chief Executive & Scientific Director, UFAW & HASย  https://www.ufaw.org.uk/ufaw-news/news/post/254-the-uk-has-recognised-animal-sentience-in-law-now-the-hard-work-beginsa#