The exotic pet trade involves the capture, transport and keeping of wild and captive-bred exotic species as pets, causing significant welfare harm across the supply chain and to animals kept in unsuitable conditions.
Exotic pet welfare failures begin in the supply chain and continue in ownership. Wild-caught animals experience severe stress from capture, handling and transport before reaching pet shops, with high mortality at every stage. Even captive-bred exotic animals often have welfare needs that cannot be met in typical home environments — appropriate temperature gradients, UV light, humidity, diet and social conditions that require specialist knowledge and equipment. The high first-year mortality rate reflects both the welfare inadequacy of typical exotic pet environments and the lack of welfare preparation by many purchasers. Regulation of the exotic pet trade is inadequate relative to the welfare harms it causes.