While walking the dogs yesterday I saw this little poster, and I thought ‘Maybe I’ll pop along to that later … oh, fff … darn it. Perhaps not.’
For, as you see, this event took place last weekend, not this one just gone.
The Exotic Pet Refuge is not too many miles from here, and does exactly what you think it does. It takes in exotic pets that people no longer want, have room for, can be bothered with, or find entertaining*. And there are a stunning number of them.
So what I want to know is this. Why do perfectly ordinary people living in perfectly ordinary houses suddenly take it into their heads to buy a jungle cat? Or an alligator? Or a silver fox, a peacock, a turkey vulture, a giant fruit bat, or any of the other creatures that end up with Pam and her family? The pythons, Madagascan hissing cockroaches, turtles, and various exotic birds I can almost understand … but why would anyone consider an unmodified three-bed semi in Leicester (for example) a suitable environment for a wild cat or a giant reptile? I have no idea.
But the sad fact is that many owners of three-bed semis in perfectly ordinary towns and villages do think that they can care for an exotic animal.
Perhaps they take them on without too much thought. Perhaps they think that a tiny crocodile is really cute and would be no trouble at all in the family bathroom? Perhaps they’re offered one down the pub and feel sorry for it, and think they’re saving it from becoming an illicit handbag a few months down the road? But the fact is that having taken on the young croc, they soon find that a) it becomes a bit of a chore finding all that dead meat to feed it, b) it’s an extremely messy eater and can’t be housetrained, and c) it isn’t actually a terribly suitable bath toy for junior.  And what happens then?
What happens is that they often get offered to zoos and public animal collections, but many are refused due to lack of space or overstocking – and you have to remember that a zoo is a business and not an animal shelter. So then what? Well, some of the lucky ones will be taken to an Exotic Pet Refuge – of which there are sadly few. In fact, I only know of this one.
These pictures were taken a few years ago. I had attended one of Pam’s open days, and I asked if I could come back with my camera because I was doing a City & Guilds photography course at the time, and she graciously gave me permission in return for a small donation. She had just moved her refuge from an ordinary family house to a smallholding, and was still in the process of building and expanding. Being a very small charity, progress was slow, and because all available cash is used for the animals, it wasn’t pretty – it was functional. I don’t know what it’s like now, but I imagine it’s similar because Pam is a very down-to-earth lady and almost certainly still not into the window dressing.
Anyway. Please disregard the lack of hanging baskets and fresh paint.
Pam will also take in injured or sick British wildlife and she can work miracles with them. I have taken sick hedgehogs, wild birds and injured toads to her (they tend to get run over by lawnmowers, poor things) and she never fails to take them in and care for them. She is a wonderful and dedicated lady.
There isn’t much information on the internet about the Exotic Pet Refuge, but this article from the local paper will give you an idea of what it’s all about. It’s an old article, but trust me, it’s still facing all the same difficulties, not least of which is a bill of somewhere over £45,000 a year for food.
If you’d like to see a picture of Pam with one of her residents, go here.
* And that, dear friends, is a zeugma – which might sound exotic, but isn’t.
Oh, bless her heart. What a good work she’s doing.
I’ve never understood the sort of short-term thinking that leads people to do stuff like that either.
Ruth Hull Chatliens last blog post..Russian Tea Time
I have no idea either why people do these things. Thank goodness for Pam and people like her.
DrowseyMonkeys last blog post..Beware the Vegetarian
Oooh, EXotic… I thought it read ERotic … thought that was a bit wierd !!!!
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“Why do perfectly ordinary people living in perfectly ordinary houses suddenly take it into their heads to buy a jungle cat? Or an alligator? Or a silver fox, a peacock, a turkey vulture, a giant fruit bat, or any of the other creatures that end up with Pam and her family”
I have NO IDEA. I dont even have a CAT or a DOG or a FISH!!
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..Smoosh Your Boobies!
Very interesting pussy Pam has!
Looks like a bearded dragon on that poster – 10 a penny here and definitely protected! I remember a huge tiger being sedated in some American city apartment in order that it be ‘safely’ removed. Crazy stuff.
I guess the idea is cool then the reality is different. Same with puppies and kittens or even children! If they grow up looking ugly or become tiresome, they’re abused or neglected. Irresponsible ownership and bad parenting have much in common.
Darn it, Jay, now I’ll have to get you another pressie. And believe me it took 3 of us quite a while to get that gator into my suitcase.
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Wow, my heartfelt thanks to people like Pam… I get sick thinking about all the irresponisible people out there. What a wonderful woman!
Maureens last blog post..Back From The Big City
Your post has really moved me Jay. I wonder what I could do to help… Money is the thing, eh? I’m thinking of an idea…
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Ruth – That’s exactly it, isn’t it? Short-term thinking … if they think at all! It’s misguided at best.
DM – My thoughts exactly.
Moon – You never disappoint, do you? LOL!
Although some people seem to find snakes erotic. I mean, I ask you .. if you see a python wrapped around an attractive half-naked young lady, what are you looking at? The girl or the snake?
Tee hee.
Meleah – And that would probably be the right decision for you and your circumstances. I never try to persuade people to get pets of any kind. If people don’t have them, it’s for a reason. They might not like them, or they may not have the money, time or energy to care for them. Whatever it is, I respect that decision.
Baino – It is crazy!
See, that’s the thing. One country’s wildlife is another country’s exotic pet. I hate reading about the illegal trade in animals, whether tortoises or monkeys or anything in between – even beetles. There’s a huge trade in dead beetles for jewellery and it makes me sick.
Right again that there’s a link between bad parenting and irresponsible ownership. As there is between children being systematically cruel to animals and becoming adults who kill or torture.
Silverback – Much as I do appreciate the thoughts (and your efforts) I can’t help feeling a tad relieved. I’m not sure The Princess or the The Pirate would welcome the competition!
Maureen – She is. I feel guilty for missing the date for the open day – I’d have liked to have gone and given her my support. We were away somewhere last year – probably at Dewey (the greyhound thing).
Katherine – I’m afraid that money is very much the thing! If you go to the first link in the post (it goes to the ‘about’ page on the website) and take the URL back to the .com part, you’ll get to the home page. It’s not a great website and hasn’t been updated lately, but there’s an animal ‘adoption’ scheme and a contact email, through which donations can probably be accepted via PayPal.
But I’m interested to know what you have in mind!
See – sitting in my office here in Leicester – I’m quite worried now – there could be a tiger just down the corridor..
But seriously, I really think people should be checked out before owning any pets – a bit like the RGT do – it makes sense!
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Don’t talk to me about snakes …. It the one thing I hate .. i dreamt last night my sister, DBM, was chasing with a snake … I absolutly HATE them, phobia of them !!!!!!
I am amazed that people lack the understanding of the demands of any pet, let alone an erotic one
!
Good job Pam and others like her are around.
Stupid people. It’s all Disney’s fault you know.
I am always amazed at people’s stupidity! When it involves living creatures it’s more than stupidity, it’s down right cruelty! It’s good that there are people like Pam around to pick up the pieces.
I am always amazed at people’s stupidity! When it involves living creatures it’s more than stupidity, it’s down right cruelty! It’s good that there are people like Pam around to pick up the pieces.
Babs – beetles last blog post..Is this a test, do you think?
“Why do perfectly ordinary people living in perfectly ordinary houses suddenly take it into their heads . . .”
A combination of ignorance and selfishness maybe? Thank goodness for people like Pam. And for all those who offer a refuge to all those discarded pets, exotic and otherwise.
Kate – A tiger down the hall? I hope not! LOL!
Yes, it would be a good idea to bring back the pet licence, only in a more meaningful form, wouldn’t it?
Moon – So, you don’t care for snakes, then? Alright. I won’t tease you… but I obviously need to remind you again that these animals are not erotic. They’re exotic! ROFL!
Jeni – Disney has a lot to answer for! They were also responsible for an explosion in the Dalmatian population with the consequent glut on the ‘second hand’ market. Breed specialists dread their breed being popularised by the media, and Disney does an appallingly good job.
Babs – Exactly. And what’s more, a lot of these poor creatures are being kept illegally!
60 Going on 16 – Most probably. Ignorance and selfishness causes a lot of misery in this world, sadly.
Thank you for being so understanding!
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..When Motivation Isn’t Enough
What a blessing Johnny Depp saved you from yourself! Does he know about your addiction? And what part of his anatomy do we get for ‘P’ next week! (Don’t answer that!)
Meleah – What would be the point in persuading someone to do something they don’t want to do? And in some cases it would mean that the animal isn’t living in the best circumstances too. They need people who positively want them and are motivated to care.
Rinkly Rimes – Ha! LOL! No comment on that one. Tee hee.
I’ve met him, so he almost certainly did know of my addiction, though he’s probably forgotten me long ago. *Sigh*
I think you put this in the wrong place, but I can’t move it, sadly.
It takes a special person to be able to take over the mistakes of everyone else and make it all work out. Pam sounds like just that kind of person. I’m really glad that people like her exist in the world.
peace – D
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RiverPoet – Me too! All I do is take on a few ex-racers. I wish I had more energy and was fitter.
Jay, I thought I might do a painting of one of the creatures and then raffle it…
All the raffle money to go to the sanctuary (less postage) and the winner gets the painting. WHat do you think? I’d need a good high res. photo to copy…
I like the peacock (nice angle), but maybe you have another one you think would be good?
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I think that’s a lovely idea! And very generous, too!
I have some other photos, I’ll scan them and email you a selection, shall I?
Thank you!
I’ve often wondered the exact same thing- the answer in longevity is sturdy legs- you the walker of the Princess and Pirate are in good steed.
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