Why wild animals do not make good pets

Have you ever caught an animal in the wild? Save it from total destruction only to find out it’s a baby? Many people, especially animal lovers, are drawn to the inherent cuteness of an animal and decide that it would be a good idea to take it home, take care of it, and make it a pet. No. It is often forgotten that these animals are born wild. Wild animals have certain predispositions for specific behaviors, special needs that may not be accessible through conventional means, and an inherent fear of humans. Over time, these attributes can become quite dangerous.

Bringing wild animals into the home is illegal in many different states. Several different species are protected by state and federal laws. Laws have been passed primarily to protect animals from improper care and unnecessary death. There are several things that cause these deaths, and they are also very compelling reasons why wild animals do not make good pets. Here are a few:

1. Ignorance of proper care

Believe it or not, many wild animals kept in captivity die because their keepers don’t know how to care for them properly. Many of the wild animals kept in captivity have special needs that are not the same as those of domestic animals. Eventually, these animals develop a deficiency in their diet, causing them to become ill.

2. Lack of proper socialization

Wild animals require the ability to associate with their own kind. Through this process, the animal can develop the skills necessary to survive on its own in the wild. If the animal has not learned these skills, it must remain in captivity or die. This is especially unfortunate for animals that are much larger than normal or more aggressive than humans are used to.

3. Lack of fear of humans

Wild animals are generally afraid of humans, especially if they have never seen them before. This fear usually keeps them safe from hostile humans and other unintended harm.

No matter how cute the animal may be, owning a wild animal is not a good idea, not only for your health, but for the health of the animal as well. The best thing to do when you encounter a wild animal is to report the sighting to the proper authorities, who have the experience and knowledge to handle the situation appropriately.