Wild-caught and captive-bred exotic animals kept as pets frequently suffer from inappropriate environments, inadequate diets, and the stress of proximity to humans they evolved to fear.
Exotic pets including sugar gliders, fennec foxes, capybaras, and various reptiles are sold without adequate buyer education about their needs. Most exotic pets have specific environmental, dietary, and social needs that typical homes cannot provide. Wild-caught exotic animals experience traumatic capture and transport before arriving at a buyer. Captive-bred exotics are habituated to humans but still require species-appropriate environments that most owners cannot provide. The exotic pet trade is the third-largest illegal wildlife trade and causes enormous individual welfare harm.