Exotic Animal Sales

Questioning ARL board's priorities

I’ve met Bozeman on only a few occasions, but her passion for and knowledge of animals was extensive. She has a lifetime of experience working with animals, including exotic animals, and I know she could work elsewhere for more pay (I can only assume that a shelter run solely on donations could only provide a small income). Having someone with her level of expertise working at the ARL is a win for Jones County. I’m sure she and the other shelter employees put the care of the animals before their personal monetary gain. In reading the latest articles in the Laurel Leader Call, it seems that the purpose of the ARL board is to enforce established bylaws and try to find ways to financially maintain the shelter. So far, it seems that their answers for economic soundness is to cut the hours and pay of employees. Another area shelter, Southern Pines, is often in the news due to its fundraising activities and in its efforts to increase its visibility. With the economy as it is, I understand fundraising is hard; however, that hasn’t deterred Southern Pines, and it shouldn’t deter the ARL board. The Buck family donated an Excursion to the ARL and offered to cover all operating costs, but because there were stipulations with the donation, it was refused. Rather than cutting pay and refusing to use the donated Excursion that could serve as a “rolling billboard” for the ARL, the board needs to increase their fundraising and visibility efforts. The shelter director and its employees should be left to do what it does best: care for the animals. Volunteers, such as college students who are interested in volunteerism, could take shelter animals to local pet stores such as PetSense or PetSmart, for visibility. There are many fundraisers that could take place, and if there are some now, I, an avid animal lover, have no knowledge of them. Whether something as lofty as an art auction or small as a bake sale, proceeds can add up.

Pet Traffickers add to the Decline of Exotic Animal Populations ...

The internet makes it possible to purchase goods and services from a global market. It is an easy and acceptable practice in today’s high-tech society, to shop for and buy virtually any type of consumer product imaginable from an online auction or website.

What few people realize is that the internet, in all its technological glory, is also contributing to the desecration of the world’s wildlife population. Wild and exotic animal sales, conducted via the World Wide Web, are a major factor in the increasing number of critically endangered animals throughout the world.

How is the Internet Responsible for the Rising Number of Endangered Animals?

The internet isn’t exactly

According to the U.S. State Department , literally billions of dollars are made each year, from the sale of illegally obtained exotic animals. And unfortunately many of these beautiful, rare and often endangered creatures wind up for sale on an internet website or an online auction site.

In general, when the word trafficking is mentioned, most people automatically think in terms of smuggled guns or drugs, but exotic animal smuggling is just as serious an issue.

Many endangered animals are hunted and illegally removed from their natural habitat, and if they manage to survive the often despicable conditions of their transportation, they eventually end up being sold. Some are sold online to individuals as pets, or to pet stores, while others may end up as live fodder for exotic game ranches that specialize in providing their customers with wild exotic animals to hunt and kill for sport.

How does Illegal Animal Trafficking Effect the Environment?

The huge demand for exotic pets has resulted in thousands of animals being stolen from their native habitats every year, which has contributed to the swift population decline of many unique and beautiful species of animals, birds and reptiles. Environments where too many animals have been removed, may suffer serious damage to the delicate balance of their ecosystems.