Animals that become too large or difficult to care for are sometimes released into the wild by owners who mistakenly believe the wild is the best place for their exotic pet.
Just as capturing animals from their natural habitat for the illegal pet trade can have far-reaching, negative impacts – releasing former pets into the wild, regardless of origin or species is never a good idea. Many exotic pets, such as some types of reptiles, can reach very large sizes as adults. Owners who can no longer care for their over-sized or unwanted pet often find that no one (including their local zoos) will take the animal from them. As a result, owners sometimes release them into the wild, perhaps under the mistaken impression that it is better for the animal to be wild than in captivity anyway.
What these owners may not consider is the ability of their pet to survive in the wild or the effect their former pet will have on the other wild animal species found in the area. An animal at large in a habitat where it does not naturally occur can be damaging to the ecosystem. These animals, known as "invasive species," may consume resources formerly used by native animals, prey on the native species themselves, or introduce new disease to 'naïve' populations. Burmese pythons are a classic example of former pets that quickly become invasive species, preying on local wildlife. By the same token, snakehead fish, a species from Southeast Asia, have been introduced to numerous local waterways, most recently in Maryland, when the fish grew to be too large for their owners to handle. Voracious eaters and consummate predators, these fish can eat or out-compete a small pond of native fish in little or no time, severely damaging the ecosystem. The chytrid fungus – a disease that scientists believe was introduced, in part, via released exotic pet amphibians - has become a global threat, eradicating wild populations of frogs all over the world.
But exotic animals are not the only pets that pose risks when released. It is estimated that free-roaming domestic cats kill hundreds of millions of wild birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians each year. A well-fed cat will still prey on local wildlife; it is a natural instinct to stalk and kill prey animals, regardless of the need for them. Feral cats, descended from un-neutered house cats, are also a problematic predator in many areas, causing the same problems as their domestic relatives.
You Can Help
Simply keeping cats indoors is a big step in preventing loss of local wildlife. Sox may come home at night, but what does he do during the day? Not only will keeping your cat indoors prevent it from damaging the local bird population, it also protects it from exposure to diseases associated with wildlife. Finally, keeping your cat indoors and out of trouble will prevent homeless pet overpopulation. Go to
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