Charities highlight case of monkey kept in bird cage in plea over exotic pets

Charities are campaigning to raise awareness about the wild animal pet trade in Scotland, highlighting the suffering of animals such as a marmoset found in a bird cage and addicted to marshmallows.

OneKind, the Scottish SPCA and Born Free are urging the Scottish Government to introduce a permitted list of animals that can be legally kept as pets as they say there are currently very few restrictions.

They warn this has led to many creatures suffering due to unsuitable conditions, a lack of understanding of their complex needs and poor breeding practices.

Their Don’t Pet Me campaign highlights the case of Steve, a young marmoset monkey who recently ended up in the care of the Scottish SPCA.

Neighbours called the charity after spotting the marmoset in a large bird cage in a living room window in East Lothian in March.

The four-year-old monkey was underweight but was addicted to sugary marshmallows after being fed them constantly as a treat, and was stressed from frequent handling.

After six weeks in the care of the Scottish SPCA he made a full recovery and was moved to a permanent home in a monkey sanctuary in England.

Gilly Mendes Ferreira, Scottish SPCA director of strategic communications and partnership engagement, said: “Many people are unaware of the scale of wild animal keeping in Scotland or the challenges it presents for animal welfare.

“Don’t Pet Me aims to highlight the issue and encourage a more responsible approach to exotic pet ownership.

“It’s a growing and worrying trend: animals like Steve being bought and sold as novelty pets, often on impulse, with little understanding of the complex care they require.

“But while these creatures might look cute, they are anything but easy to look after.

“Marmosets are highly intelligent, social primates that need space, stimulation, and the companionship of their own kind.

“No domestic setting – no matter how well-meaning – can truly meet those needs. Thankfully Steve’s story has a happy ending, but not every animal will be so lucky.”

The charities investigated online and pet shop sales, and commissioned research into the motivations and behaviours of those keeping wild animals, with the findings included in their Don’t Pet Me report.

Researchers found that over a 16-week period, creatures from more than 300 species were advertised for sale in Scotland.

The report highlights trade in wild animals as pets is international, with some transported by mail services and couriers, in inappropriate containers, sometimes without any indication a live animal is inside.

It found many first-time owners are younger people, born after 1980.

It is thought requests from children may persuade people to acquire such a pet, while it has also been linked to external influences like social media, films and games such as Pokemon and Minecraft.

OneKind’s director of policy Kirsty Jenkins said: “The research we commissioned painted a deeply worrying picture of how species commonly referred to as ‘exotic pets’ are thought of and treated – often as commodities or collections.

“Such sad stories emerged, of animals being kept in tiny boxes, poor diets, social isolation, forced handling, accidents and deaths.

“The law is currently failing to protect these animals – that must change.”

The campaign is accompanied by a petition calling for a permitted list of animals that can be kept as pets.

Chris Lewis, Born Free’s captivity research and policy manager, said: “Don’t Pet Me highlights the distressing number and variety of wild animals for sale in Scotland and the lack of regulatory oversight.

“This should be a major cause for concern for the Scottish Government, legislators, animal lovers and the public in general.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare and understand public health and conservation concerns around the keeping of exotic pets.

“We welcome the work of groups in dealing with the welfare problems caused by irresponsible owners and the campaign for raising awareness of this important issue.

“The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission has explored the issues surrounding the keeping of exotic pets and we will continue to consider the steps that could be taken in this area.”