Walking into a pet store, you might be overwhelmed by the many choices available to you. That cute little doggie is now sharing the window with an increasing number of exotic animals. The popularity of less conventional companions such as chinchillas and ball pythons is on the rise but with so much to consider, how do you know what kind of pet is right for you? Where can you find more information about responsible ownership of "exotics*" and the conservation issues surrounding some of our most popular pets?
Best Bets for Pets, a Philadelphia Zoo responsible pet ownership initiative, was designed to help people determined to get an "exotic" pet find one that will not only fit into your lifestyle but also doesn't contribute to today's growing illegal pet trade.
Here you can find links to explore this program. You will find help on how to use the Best Bets for Pets wallet card, a convenient tool that provides guidelines on choosing exotic pets wisely; a personality test to help you select the best exotic pet for your lifestyle; information about different types of exotic pets; details about conservation issues concerning animal species affected by the pet trade, legal issues, health concerns and actions you can take to protect both domestic and exotic pets; as well as links to other websites with additional information.
How to Use the Card
Best Bets for Pets Personality Test
Pet FAQ
Conservation Issues
Legalities
Take Action
* For the purposes of the Best Bets for Pets project, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters and gerbils will be considered "domestic" pets because they have been an important part of American culture for decades. All other animals will be considered "exotic."