Exotic
pets
Serval Xirus was kept as a pet
and did not receive proper care.
and did not receive proper care.
Exotic pets in the EU
Keeping a monkey or some other exotic animal as a pet? You may think that’s a thing from the past, but it is still very common. Like chimpanzee Marria, who lived with a family for years, with appalling consequences. Or serval Xirus, who developed deformities as a result of not receiving proper care.
In most EU countries it is unfortunately entirely legal to keep all kinds of exotic species as pets. In fact, the European Union is one of the largest markets in the world for exotic pets. This leads to several significant problems.
In most EU countries it is unfortunately entirely legal to keep all kinds of exotic species as pets. In fact, the European Union is one of the largest markets in the world for exotic pets. This leads to several significant problems.
Animal suffering
It is estimated that tens of millions of exotic animals live in European households, despite being totally unsuitable for such environments. In practice, things often go wrong, as evidenced by our rescue centres. The exotic pets we rescue at AAP almost always have health or behavioural problems due to inadequate care, nutrition and/or housing.
Pressure on local ecosystems
The trade in exotic animals poses a threat to the conservation of wild species. Animals are regularly captured from the wild (especially in Africa, Asia, and South America) and transported to Europe and other parts of the world, where they end up as pets. This trade reduces the number of animals in the wild and even puts some species at risk of extinction.
Loss of biodiversity
Exotic pets often escape or are released into nature, displacing native species and disrupting local ecosystems, thus damaging European biodiversity.
The European Union spends 12 billion euros annually to control these so-called invasive exotic species.
The European Union spends 12 billion euros annually to control these so-called invasive exotic species.
Risk to public health and safety
Keeping and trading exotic animals also carries risks to public health. For example, some exotic species can cause serious injuries to humans or other animals through bites or scratches. Also, exotic pets are more likely to carry (potentially dangerous) zoonoses: infectious diseases transmissible from animals to humans. On average, 1 in 7 exotic animals with a pet background at AAP carries one or multiple zoonoses.
The solution
At AAP, we advocate for the implementation of a Positive List for pets throughout Europe. Such a list comprises animal species that independent experts deem suitable to be kept as pets. All species that are not on this list are automatically not allowed as pets.
We are pushing for more EU member states to implement this instrument and to ultimately create a Positive List for the entire European Union. We are convinced that using such a Positive List is the best way to prevent the suffering of exotic animals in captivity.
We are pushing for more EU member states to implement this instrument and to ultimately create a Positive List for the entire European Union. We are convinced that using such a Positive List is the best way to prevent the suffering of exotic animals in captivity.
The Dutch positive list for pets
Thanks to the efforts of AAP and other animal welfare organisations, the Dutch government introduced a positive list for mammals on 1 July 2024. Now that this is in place, hopefully a list will soon be drawn up for animals other than mammals, such as fish, birds, amphibians and reptiles.
Our work is not over yet, because we want more EU countries to work with such a list. That is why we are simultaneously working towards a European positive list that applies to all Member States. Such a European positive list could prevent a lot of animal suffering.
Our work is not over yet, because we want more EU countries to work with such a list. That is why we are simultaneously working towards a European positive list that applies to all Member States. Such a European positive list could prevent a lot of animal suffering.
The positive list in Europe
Even better than each country having its own positive list is an EU-wide list that applies to all European member states. Such a list could, for example, prevent exotic animals being brought from across the border because a neighbouring country applies a slightly different list. Or that you travel with your legal exotic animal and it turns out to be illegal in the destination country.
A European positive list is the most effective approach to animal suffering, public health risks and (illegal) animal trade in Europe and beyond. Ensuring that the EU introduces this regulation is therefore one of AAP's main goals.
A European positive list is the most effective approach to animal suffering, public health risks and (illegal) animal trade in Europe and beyond. Ensuring that the EU introduces this regulation is therefore one of AAP's main goals.
Results & impact
Do you wonder which EU member states already have a Positive List in place? Or which ones are working on it? Hover your mouse over the map below to see the current status per EU country.
The story of serval Xirus
Serval Xirus was kept as a pet and provided with improper nutrition by his previous owner. A lack of calcium caused multiple bones in his body to deform. In addition, he had a number of old bone fractures.
At AAP, Xirus received the professional care he needed to regain his strength. Regular medical check-ups were necessary to monitor his recovery. As a result, Xirus is doing much better now.
At AAP, Xirus received the professional care he needed to regain his strength. Regular medical check-ups were necessary to monitor his recovery. As a result, Xirus is doing much better now.
