Dear PETA,
Your concerns about exotic pet
ownership are valid, especially concerning hedgehogs. These animals
are not domesticated, and do not make good companion animals. Many of
these animals are illegally imported into the United States after
being taken from their natural habitats. During the journey, many
will become sick or injured, which often leads to death. Even if they
survive the journey or are bred in the US, many owners do not provide
them proper care. When they are curled tightly into a ball, someone
trying to unroll them can cause injury to both themselves and the
animal. Additionally, a number of people who obtain hedgehogs are
actually allergic to them. For this reason, or simply because they
are difficult to care for, owners will often release them into the
wild. In some parts of the country they will die from exposure or
predators, but in other parts they can actually thrive, becoming an
invasive species and spreading disease to other animals, including
livestock.
Though some people are bonded to their
pet hedgehogs, the satisfaction they receive from owning one is not
enough to justify the suffering of that animal and many more like it.
Thank you for taking a stand against owning this exotic animal.
Source:
http://www.peta.org/issues/companion-animal-issues/companion-animals-factsheets/inside-exotic-animal-trade/
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