by Julie Wenger Watson
Social media can influence so many aspects of our lives, from the food we cook to the clothes we wear and even the pets we choose.
Although most people realize TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms aren’t the most reliable sources for accurate, useful advice, the consequences of a failed recipe or goofy fashion acquisition prompted by a social-media scroll are negligible when compared with the purchase of an inappropriate pet. A miniature horse clomping through someone’s kitchen on an Instagram reel might make for delightful viewing, but in reality, the average urban homeowner is not equipped to provide the necessary care for many of the trendy pets that populate our social-media feeds.
Before you run out to purchase that Highland cow or capybara, consider all of the potential issues for you and for the animal.
Trendy Pets
Pet trends have existed since well before the dawn of the Internet and social media, with species and breeds going in and out of fashion according to societal whims and tastes. An obvious example of this, for those of a certain age, was the huge increase in demand for a certain type of dog because of the popularity of the Lassie novel and television series. Similarly, the public’s appetite for Great Danes has tracked the ebb and flow of the Scooby-Doo franchise.
Although books, television, and movies have always influenced the pet market, the dawn of the Internet, specifically social media, has accelerated and expanded that process.
Exotic Pets
Likes, follows, and comments are currency for influencers on social media, and many people will go to any length to acquire them. Posts and videos featuring animals are perennial favorites, sure to garner a response. Everyone loves a cute puppy or a sassy kitten, but more and more often, videos and posts star wild animals in misleading domesticated vignettes — bottle-fed monkeys, lion cubs in diapers, ball pythons draped around their owners’ necks.
Depictions such as those are normalizing the ownership of wild species as pets, which is detrimental to the animals’ welfare and potentially dangerous for the owners. Misleading and even false online content portraying exotic and wild animals as suitable or desirable pets is fueling the exploitation of those animals as well as illegal wildlife trafficking.
Countless reasons exist to not own wild animals, starting with the fact that the species have lived for thousands of years without human influence and aren’t well adapted to living with humans or in a house. Wild animals should be with members of their own species. Providing for their complex behavioral, social, nutritional, and psychological needs is well beyond the ability of the average pet owner.
The demand for exotic animals as pets has resulted in the illegal capture and trade of millions of birds, mammals, and reptiles each year. Many of those animals die in the process. In some cases, this has further endangered vulnerable species. Wild animals also pose safety and health concerns for their owners, and many states, counties, and cities prohibit owning them.
Farm Animals
Social-media posts have also increased the demand for miniature (and sometimes full-sized) livestock — cows, goats, donkeys, etc. — as pets. Although those animals might not pose the same problems as exotic animals when kept as pets, they come with their own challenges.
Farm animals require adequate and secure space, often more than is possible in a typical urban yard. Local ordinances might restrict ownership of certain animals in the city limits. Food can be expensive, and day-to-day care requirements might be demanding. Farm animals often need regular visits from a specialized veterinarian for things such as vaccinations, health checks, and emergency care.
Animals That Make Good Pets
Animal shelters are full of adoptable dogs and cats looking for good homes. Cats and dogs have been domesticated for tens of thousands of years, living and working alongside humans. These animals provide companionship, affection, and entertainment and are relatively easy to care for. Domesticated rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, and rabbits can also make good pets, as long as you provide appropriate care.
If you’re absolutely convinced that you need something “exotic,” start by checking local pet ordinances to determine the legality and what, if any, license might be needed. Most important, make sure you’re purchasing responsibly captive-bred animals (birds, reptiles, fish, etc.) from a reputable dealer, and be certain you can provide the care necessary to keep the animals healthy throughout their lives. For more information, visit worldwildlife.org.
