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| RSPCA rescues 4,000 exotic pets in one year | RSPCA rescues 4,000 exotic pets in one year |
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| The RSPCA rescued more than 4,000 exotic animals from across England and Wales in 2018, it has revealed. | The RSPCA rescued more than 4,000 exotic animals from across England and Wales in 2018, it has revealed. |
| The animal welfare charity said this included 500 snakes, 300 turtles, 145 bearded dragons, five raccoon dogs, four marmosets and a wallaby. | The animal welfare charity said this included 500 snakes, 300 turtles, 145 bearded dragons, five raccoon dogs, four marmosets and a wallaby. |
| Some owners were not properly researching how to keep such species, resulting in animals escaping or being abandoned or neglected, it said. | Some owners were not properly researching how to keep such species, resulting in animals escaping or being abandoned or neglected, it said. |
| It also said general calls to its 24-hour hotline rose by 13% to 1,175,193. | It also said general calls to its 24-hour hotline rose by 13% to 1,175,193. |
| In one incident, a dead marmoset monkey was found in a street in Edmonton, London in December 2018. | In one incident, a dead marmoset monkey was found in a street in Edmonton, London in December 2018. |
| And in January 2018, a royal python was found dead in Cwmbran, Wales, with bruising around its mouth. | And in January 2018, a royal python was found dead in Cwmbran, Wales, with bruising around its mouth. |
| RSPCA inspectors suspect the snake had been beaten before it was abandoned. | RSPCA inspectors suspect the snake had been beaten before it was abandoned. |
| In another case in February 2018, two stray raccoon dogs were found within a mile of each other in the same Cumbrian village of Burneside. | In another case in February 2018, two stray raccoon dogs were found within a mile of each other in the same Cumbrian village of Burneside. |
| The RSPCA said it strongly believed racoon dogs should not be kept as pets as it was not possible to meet their needs in a domestic environment. | The RSPCA said it strongly believed racoon dogs should not be kept as pets as it was not possible to meet their needs in a domestic environment. |
| Exotic pet warning over 'dumped' snake | |
| Sharp rise in pet reptile rescues | |
| Stephanie Jayson, the RSPCA's senior scientific officer in exotics and a qualified exotics vet, said: "Although their numbers are small compared to more common pets, we have real concerns about the welfare of exotic animals kept as pets. | Stephanie Jayson, the RSPCA's senior scientific officer in exotics and a qualified exotics vet, said: "Although their numbers are small compared to more common pets, we have real concerns about the welfare of exotic animals kept as pets. |
| "Exotic pets are completely reliant on their owners to meet their needs including requiring the correct levels of heat, light and humidity, plus an appropriate diet. | "Exotic pets are completely reliant on their owners to meet their needs including requiring the correct levels of heat, light and humidity, plus an appropriate diet. |
| "Some species require a licence or paperwork to be legally kept or sold." | "Some species require a licence or paperwork to be legally kept or sold." |
| Ms Jayson added: "Many of the animals we're called to help are found stray outside, where they can very quickly suffer in the cold." | Ms Jayson added: "Many of the animals we're called to help are found stray outside, where they can very quickly suffer in the cold." |
| Exotic animals are often available to buy in UK pet shops and are sometimes advertised for sale online. | Exotic animals are often available to buy in UK pet shops and are sometimes advertised for sale online. |
| "Sometimes animals are neglected when the novelty wears off and the commitment hits home," Ms Jayson said. | "Sometimes animals are neglected when the novelty wears off and the commitment hits home," Ms Jayson said. |
| "This is why we would encourage anyone thinking of getting an exotic pet to find out as much as possible about the animal's needs and whether they're the right pet for them." | "This is why we would encourage anyone thinking of getting an exotic pet to find out as much as possible about the animal's needs and whether they're the right pet for them." |
| Do you own an exotic pet or have you ever struggled to look after an exotic pet? Send us your comments and pictures | Do you own an exotic pet or have you ever struggled to look after an exotic pet? Send us your comments and pictures |